Car won't start
Discussion
Went to drive my car last night for the first time in a week and a half (i know, totally unacceptable but I have been working) and whilst it seems to turn over okay the engine won't actually fire up. When I switch the immobiliser off as well the noise of what was presumably the fuel pump has gone too.
From what I can work out I may need to check the fuses and stepper motor but is there anything else more obvious I should be looking at when I pull it to pieces at the weekend.
(And yes, it does have petrol in it).
Sorry, meant to say its a 9.6 4.0 Chimaera
>>> Edited by Nevin on Thursday 17th July 10:51
From what I can work out I may need to check the fuses and stepper motor but is there anything else more obvious I should be looking at when I pull it to pieces at the weekend.
(And yes, it does have petrol in it).
Sorry, meant to say its a 9.6 4.0 Chimaera
>>> Edited by Nevin on Thursday 17th July 10:51
Q. Would the alarm etc still work and starter motor turn over if the battery was flat?
Initially yes, this is exactly what happened to mine recently.
You should remove the battery from the car (see bible)and check it with a meter. Expect to see something like 9.5 - 10v on a flat battery.
Then charge it for several hours and check it again. You will hope to get around 13.5v fully charged. Anything less is a problem and probably means a new battery.
Leave the battery off charge for several hours and check it again. This is to test the battery's ability to hold a charge. If the voltage reading has dropped significantly, the battery is stuffed and needs to be replaced.
Note that the standard battery fitted by TVR has a venting tube which passes any fumes from the battery to outside of the car. You need to find a proper match as a replacement. I found one local to me at a battery wholesalers and cost £53 inc. vat
Initially yes, this is exactly what happened to mine recently.
You should remove the battery from the car (see bible)and check it with a meter. Expect to see something like 9.5 - 10v on a flat battery.
Then charge it for several hours and check it again. You will hope to get around 13.5v fully charged. Anything less is a problem and probably means a new battery.
Leave the battery off charge for several hours and check it again. This is to test the battery's ability to hold a charge. If the voltage reading has dropped significantly, the battery is stuffed and needs to be replaced.
Note that the standard battery fitted by TVR has a venting tube which passes any fumes from the battery to outside of the car. You need to find a proper match as a replacement. I found one local to me at a battery wholesalers and cost £53 inc. vat
Whilst waiting for my multimeter to turn up and teh weather to cool down a bit so I can actually be bothered working on the car, if I can't get it going can anyone suggest to me:
a) A suitable dealer or independent near North London (Crouch End) who could look at it (HR Owen are current service agent but other suggestions welcome); and
b) How I get it there if it does need fixed? Do I call the AA and get them to tow it? Will they do that given it is outside my house?
Cheers All
a) A suitable dealer or independent near North London (Crouch End) who could look at it (HR Owen are current service agent but other suggestions welcome); and
b) How I get it there if it does need fixed? Do I call the AA and get them to tow it? Will they do that given it is outside my house?
Cheers All
If the engine turns over happily, that suggests the battery is OK. Obviously it will run down if you keep trying to start the engine so you may need to recharge it if it runs low, but there's probably some other problem preventing it from starting. The fuel pump should run for a couple of seconds each time you switch the ignition on. If you can't hear the fuel pump, that is the first thing to look at. Try resetting the fuel cut-off switch in the boot, checking the terminals at the pump are secure, remove and refit the fuel pump relay, check the fuse.
jamieheasman said:
My money is on the alarm (imobiliser). It could be that the battery is a bit low and has affected the alarm. You could try putting the alarm on charge over night but I would try arming and disarming the alarm a few times until that fuel pump fires up.
You are a winner. That seems to have sorted it nicely. Off for a blast now before I have to start thinking about work again.
Cheers guys, top forum action.
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