hello people,
i have a question about factory fitted sunroofs that hopefully someone on this board knows the answer to. I have a 1987 Series 1 VL Calais Turbo with a factory fitted two way sunroof. Now the other day the sunroof would not close(i.e no power), so a trip down to the auto elec. The auto elec closed the sunroof but advised that the switch/button to open/close the sunroof was the cause and needs to be replaced.
So down to the local holden dealer i go. I explain the situation to him. I have a 1987 VL Calais with a factory fitted sunroof that needs a new button/switch. He can't find it so he gets the girl who searches computer and also has no luck. Manager rocks over....goes threw computer books etc..No luck. Manager tells me that more than likely that the sunroofs were contracted out to a large sunroof company that installed the sunroofs in their factory for holden,and therfore holden would have had little to do with it.
So out to the car i go, pull the sunroof switch out , march back in, and slap the switch on the counter. (the switch has a GM logo on it and a 16 digit part number in white, which i already knew about.) The three stooges were amazed and before long back at it trying to find this part using the number from the switch. Still no luck.
45 minutes later manager says "i know i'll ring up my mate thats in the business, he knows everything about commodores!" Still no luck.
Local Holden Dealer final response: The part is not in out database nor is it on the record in any of our books. Virtually the part is non existant through Holdens eye's. He then also told me that it maybe a HSV Part and on their list,which they don't have access to. 8O WTF a HSV part???? 8O
So after an hour wasted there i headed straight down to Kevin Dennis who is a HSV dealer and explained to him what had just happened. He searched computer,books, etc had no luck and pretty much gives me the cold shoulder. so i ask him "what about the Walkinshaws they had factory fitted sunroofs" and after he thinks about it he replies "yes they did but that is a HDT part". I ask "can i get a HDT part then"and he sternly replies "NO".
He claims that only 500 Calais Turbos were factory fitted with Sunroofs. The sunroofs were originally designed for the Walkinshaw, but 500 were put into Calais and to acquire a new switch HDT would be the best bet, but don't hold your breathe as the car is 15 years old. ( he also claims they built only 500 Factory Manual Calais Turbos???)
So i have a sunroof switch with a part number but Holden cant find it nor a HSV Dealer. One claims that the sunroofs were not fitted by holden thats why little details on parts are about and the other claims that because they were roofs for the Walky's that only HDT would have parts?
The guy at Kevin Dennis also said to me that becuase holden doesn't have the switch that i WOULD NOT find an aftermarket switch from somewhere like Bursons to the job!!!
Anyone know if i can get a new switch..or what the deal is as two different holden dealers have 2 different answers?
Or do i just take it to a sunroof place and see if they can help??
Help greatly appreciated!!!
Send me the details, i have a great mate at GMH, ill get none of this ****!
Ill find out for you no probs at all
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
What a load of "Bull****" those reps at the counter have no idea, There would be an aftermarket switch made by Hella or Narva that would suit the job trouble is you need to get an auto elec to recommend which one to do the job and another problem is the aftermarket switch will probably not fit in the old stuffed switches location.
Many sunroofs are intsalled aftermarket even to this day by companys such as Prestiage Sunroofs in Burwood who do the majority of car yards in Melbourne that sell new and second hand cars and use the Hollianda brand of sunroof.
Try getting Prestiages sunroofs number out of the yellow pages and give them a call as they probably done a few VL's.
Also seen the add in The Melbourne trading Post a Sunroof company called Precision Sunroofs claim they can repair the unrepairable sunroof even make new parts for your sunroof if need be.
Precision Sunroofs factory 36/1 Commercial Rd Highett
Ph - 9553 7220
I'd be taking it back to the auto elec and saying if its ****ed, can it be fixed?
I know an auto elec looked at the power windows in my Hyundai and said yeah mate ya switch is ****ed... i asked him if he could fix it... nah mate they don't open up to be fixed at all.
Took it home, pulled the door card off, removed the switch and fixed the ******* myself. Took it back to him the next day and showed him that it works.
hehe speaking of reps - i walked into a nissan dealership today -my mate bought a rb25 timing belt, and when he said 105 dollars we both stood there dumbfounded thinking - its a piece of f@#$@ rubber ???? ABORTIONS are cheaper these days ??
$105 for a timing belt ???? bloody hell !!!!
if you've ever wanted to know how much that rubber hose on the n/a rocker cover into the plenum is new from Holden - the whole 15 cms of hose will set you back $65
it was in the car at the time of purchase
but yes hehe -
about the switch tho - why not take it out - take it down to jaycar and have them spec it up and even order / make one -
they have everything down there
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
The electric sunroofs as fitted to the VB-VL series Commodores were produced by Hollandia. You can still buy these sunroofs, I know because I was going to fit one to my VL but I think I'd rather spend $2400 on other things. There's a place called 'Auto Sun and Air' and their address is 59 Whiting Street Artarman NSW 2064 and the phone number is (029)9669000
Give them a call because they can still get parts.
Don't know what the guy at Holden was on about because you've been able to get a 2 way sunroof since the VB came out, not just on the Walkys.
Hope you have some luck.
Cheers
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
