She's a non starter folks

She's a non starter folks

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drivingfroggy

Original Poster:

455 posts

192 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Any help on this appreciated.
Parked the car up a couple of weeks ago, locked it, put the cover on and left it. Got in it today and everything was OK until I pressed the button to energise the fuel pump. No pump. I thought maybe the battery was a little low, so I put in a freshly charged one, still no pump. Put the immobiliser key thing against the socket in the dash, still no pump. Tried the spare key fob, same. Pressed the inertia switch, same. Any ideas?

The Surveyor

7,576 posts

237 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Does the engine turn over but just does't fire, as in have you tried starting it! It may be that you have kicked out the fuel pump relay which sits just above the pedals! It's been done before!

If there is no 'click' when you try to start it, then it sounds like your immobiliser isn't disengaging, in which case I've no idea!

Good luck with it though

Paul


QBee

20,949 posts

144 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
I sat in the middle lane at a roundabout in my Chim the other day, having stalled, not able to restart. Engine turning over, couldn't hear whether the pump was priming or not due to the traffic all crawling past me.

Called my TVR guy, he suggested locking and unlocking the car. Bingo. As said above, the immobiliser can end up not releasing the fuel pump, even though the rest is released.

Cockey

1,384 posts

228 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Does sound a bit like the fuel relay. Does the little oil light still turn on when you press the immobiliser button?

When mine started failing, the engine would just cut out whilst I was driving along! If I gave it a couple of minutes it would sort itself out and restart, but only way to remedy it is to replace it.

drivingfroggy

Original Poster:

455 posts

192 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies guys. No, the little light doesn't come on and you can't hear the pump priming. I locked and unlocked it, didn't help. Does seem to be an immobiliser issue, I checked the fuses and reseated the relay. Can anyone tell me where the brain for the immobiliser is? Is it under the centre console?

Cockey

1,384 posts

228 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
I'm pretty sure the light should come on even if the fuel pump relay is knackered.

So pressing the little immobiliser key into the dash doesn't work either? I only know where the Meta Alarm box is, not sure about the immobiliser I'm afraid. Sure someone who does will be along soon.

scruggs

419 posts

166 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Just been through a similar situation with my 2000 Mk1. The immobiliser M36T is located in the drivers footwell, right hand side wall behind a cardboard kick panel. Pull the panel off (normally glued on)and you will probably see it. Mine was on a long umbilical cord of wires so I could pull it out into the footwell.

Does your red LED on the immobiliser socket flash at all?

Edited by scruggs on Friday 16th May 16:59

QBee

20,949 posts

144 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Its passenger side, under the dash top, in a Chimaera. Which ain't a lot of help, is it?

drivingfroggy

Original Poster:

455 posts

192 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
If the ECU is the one in the drivers footwell, we could be on to something here. I noticed the ECU in there has come loose from its securing bracket. This is also a major pain in the arse, due to the ridiculous access. If anyone knows how to get it back in, please let me know.

Cockey

1,384 posts

228 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
I'm not the biggest bloke but I freaking hate doing anything in the Tuscan's footwell. I pulled the ECU out of its bracket once and nearly broke my neck trying to get it back in!

scruggs

419 posts

166 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
It has a bracket! I didn't notice that. The immobiliser is labelled as M36T. The alarm unit M99 is also in there. If your M36 is still attached to the car loom via the 12 pin connector (not all pins are used) then the fact that it is not held in a bracket might be irrelevant.

Edit, it is easier to get to if you remove the metal plate on the floor by removing 3 Allen bolts, the clutch travel stop and the accelerator stop.

Cockey

1,384 posts

228 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Sorry, I meant the car's own ecu which is in a bracket behind the pedal box. Mine's metallic blue metal.

The m36t is the immobiliser according to Google.

scruggs

419 posts

166 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Ok some confusion here. Are you getting the red ignition and oil lights coming on when you turn the key?is the red LED on the immobiliser socket flashing to indicate the immobiliser is on?

If the engine is not turning over on the starter motor then you can probably rule out a fuel pump problem for the time being.

If the engine is turning over then it could be fuel pump or engine ECU.

If you are not getting the fuel pump to run or even a click when turning the key my money is on the immobiliser.

drivingfroggy

Original Poster:

455 posts

192 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
When I turn the key I get ignition, but no oil light. This normally comes on when I press the immobiliser button. When I then press the button, nothing. The red led was flashing before, not sure right now, will have to go out later and check. The alarm arms and disarms with no problem, windows go up and everything. The more I speak about this, the more it looks like the immobiliser.

drivingfroggy

Original Poster:

455 posts

192 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
I also have this cable hanging there, but can't see anywhere that it would plug in. Is this anything to do with the immobiliser?

drivingfroggy

Original Poster:

455 posts

192 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
Going over my Sagaris manual, it says that the ecu behind the pedal box is the main system ecu, not the immobiliser. So I guess the cable in my pic is the diagnostic cable. Still don't know where the ecu in question is.


Edited by drivingfroggy on Saturday 17th May 10:31

NCE 61

2,386 posts

281 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
drivingfroggy said:
Going over my Sagaris manual, it says that the ecu behind the pedal box is the main system ecu, not the immobiliser. So I guess the cable in my pic is the diagnostic cable. Still don't know where the ecu in question is.


Edited by drivingfroggy on Saturday 17th May 10:31
Correct that is the engine ECU & diagnostic cable.

I sent you a mail explaining where the immobiliser is or should be !

drivingfroggy

Original Poster:

455 posts

192 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
Could you send the mail again please to pdavies42@gmail.com I'll update my profile

drivingfroggy

Original Poster:

455 posts

192 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
Ok, so I've located the immobiliser ECU and reset it as per Graham Varley's Sagaris manual. Still nothing. Fuses? Relays? Anyone know the wiring for the relay as there isn't a drawing on it for testing.

S6PNJ

5,179 posts

281 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
I had a similar situation a few years back - had to get towed off a cross channel ferry by a HUGE tow truck! Was met by the AA at the bottom of the ramp at Dover Docks and the guy fortunately knew TVR systems. He went straight to the drivers footwell and checked the plugs on the boxes in there. Funny old thing, fired up straight away after that! Might be worth removing and refitting any boxes in the footwell just to try something. Can't hurt! Good luck!