Another Non Starter

[birdo]

At the risk of repeating previous messages, can anyone advise as to to the cause of a severely embarrassing non-start problem I have developed in my 96 5.0L Chimaera?

Whenever engine is remotely hot (temp guage never seems to get above 90 deg - can this be right?)the b*****d thing won't start for anything up to 20 minutes . Thus even mundane tasks like filling up with petrol become a major logistical issue.

Any pointers grateully received!

p.s. Apart from this it runs like a dream - can't get enough of that engine burble...

Olly

[Marshy]

FAQ... usually the starter motor. Mine did this too immediately after I bought it. Very embarrassing taking it to show off to people, only to find that it wouldn't start

Edited by Marshy on Sunday 11th November 12:15

[ChimeraWolf]

Hi Birdo,

Yep, had this the day I picked my car I. As in previous posts, get them to check the starter motor and most probably replace it. Also get them to check the thermostat incase the temp is getting over 95 degrees.

Sure it won't be too much trouble and fixed you won't have any more embarrassing situations!

- ChimaeraWolf
- P56 SAH - Black Chimaera 4.0

[turbo100]

Driving a 98 Chimaera 450 here in Australia poses just a few overheating problems, particularly running air conditioning and having external ambient temperatures of anywhere up to 40degrees C. For the past several months I have been chasing down a non start problem when the car is stopped after hitting 85degrees. My problem ONLY occours if I switch on the ignition and the cooling fans are running. In this instance there is absolutely nothing happening with regard to starting. Wait till the fans cut out and the car starts but usually gives an 03 error message on the fault finder (corrupt data to the ECU) and will run like a dog, struggling to hold idle until it relearns the maps. If I wait a minute or two after the fans cut out the car works perfectly. After changing virtually everything, and re earthing every connection in the car (at some considerable expense - no warranties here) I think I've cured it. It would appear that there is quite a voltage drop to the starter after the fans run ( I have been told the electrical system was originally designed to run one fan only, but a precautionary second one was added without upgrading the wiring - which may or may not be true, but lends a little credibility to the theory) so the answer is to install another relay to direct current straight to the starter motor. This is an in expensive fix which is a lot less dramatic than fitting new starter motors often advocated here which may not necessarily be the cause of the problem. Also make sure the belts are tight enough to power up that battery to the max because there's an awful lots of discharge on startup so switch OFF all accessories. I'm not entirely convinced the alarm system helps/works well but that's another story........

[birdo]

Apologies for delay - been away (I'm a poet & didn't knowit!).

Not having major problems with the fans Turbo100, they are never running while I try to start the engine (Is this in itself part of the problem??).

Heard that there may be a problem with the immobiliser not deactivating correctly - anyone know anything about that?

Leaning toward starter motor problem, but will see what Team Central reckon.

(Bet you get a lot of curious glances from Aussie motorists Turbo100 - can't be many TVR's in your neck of the woods!)

Olly

[manek]

Sounds like a well-known starter motor problem. Don't do what I did and take it to a dealer saying 'fix it'. They will charge you for a new motor at a cost of around £300. Get a recon job for half that or less.

-Manek-

[Greenv8s]

If the ignition switch/connector is faulty the extra current from the fans could add enough voltage drop to prevent the starter solenoid cutting in. If you can prove that it is purely due to the fans being on (override the otter switch to turn the fans on/off by hand) and not heat soak then this would be my guess. Fix the connector and leave the starter alone. If the problem is that the current drain from the fans takes the *battery* voltage down to the point the solenoid won't fire, (a) there's something wrong with your battery and (b) you can arrange for the fans to switch off while the engine is cranking, a decent auto electricial should be able to sort this in half an hour or so.

Hope this helps,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

quote:
Driving a 98 Chimaera 450 here in Australia poses just a few overheating problems, particularly running air conditioning and having external ambient temperatures of anywhere up to 40degrees C. For the past several months I have been chasing down a non start problem when the car is stopped after hitting 85degrees. My problem ONLY occours if I switch on the ignition and the cooling fans are running. In this instance there is absolutely nothing happening with regard to starting. Wait till the fans cut out and the car starts but usually gives an 03 error message on the fault finder (corrupt data to the ECU) and will run like a dog, struggling to hold idle until it relearns the maps. If I wait a minute or two after the fans cut out the car works perfectly. After changing virtually everything, and re earthing every connection in the car (at some considerable expense - no warranties here) I think I've cured it. It would appear that there is quite a voltage drop to the starter after the fans run ( I have been told the electrical system was originally designed to run one fan only, but a precautionary second one was added without upgrading the wiring - which may or may not be true, but lends a little credibility to the theory) so the answer is to install another relay to direct current straight to the starter motor. This is an in expensive fix which is a lot less dramatic than fitting new starter motors often advocated here which may not necessarily be the cause of the problem. Also make sure the belts are tight enough to power up that battery to the max because there's an awful lots of discharge on startup so switch OFF all accessories. I'm not entirely convinced the alarm system helps/works well but that's another story........

[dlewis]

The fault is probably the solenoid jamming because of the heat from the exhausts.

I have had this problem in the summer and cured it by stripping down the unit and greasing the piston. (It is also cooler now it is winter!)

The give away is by studying the temp gauge. Mine re-started at 70 degrees.

Alternatively, fit a new unit.

[birdo]

Could be this - mine refuses to start until the temp guage is down to around 60degs - VERY frustrating!

Olly