Starting problem
Discussion
Yesterday afternoon, was getting the car all clean and shiny for its run out to Burghley. Around 4pm it started raining (grrr) so got in and pressed the tit and nothing happened.
Checked silver key was on. Checked immobiliser light went out once the key was inserted. Pressed the tit again, fuel pump ran, dash lights all on. Wait 2 secs and nothing. Checked all fuses, number 8 blown which is either immobiliser or injectors depending on source. Then handbook says relay number 6 is starter but manual says number 2. So who knows?
Determined to get to Burghley (my first TVRCC thingy) and time running out, put live to solenoid and it started no problem so the starter motor is good. Drove to Halfords and got a switch and some wire and connected it up so I could start the car from inside. Got to Burghley with no issues. Phew.
The wiring diagram in the download manual does not show the route for the starter circuit but I suspect the ignition control unit or immobiliser are likely culprits? Fuse number 8 was blown and according to the handbook is the injectors and cigarette lighter but the engine runs and lighter works. The manual says fuse 8 is for the immobiliser so I'm thinking this may be the problem. If anyone has had a similar issue or can point me in the right direction, it would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Checked silver key was on. Checked immobiliser light went out once the key was inserted. Pressed the tit again, fuel pump ran, dash lights all on. Wait 2 secs and nothing. Checked all fuses, number 8 blown which is either immobiliser or injectors depending on source. Then handbook says relay number 6 is starter but manual says number 2. So who knows?
Determined to get to Burghley (my first TVRCC thingy) and time running out, put live to solenoid and it started no problem so the starter motor is good. Drove to Halfords and got a switch and some wire and connected it up so I could start the car from inside. Got to Burghley with no issues. Phew.
The wiring diagram in the download manual does not show the route for the starter circuit but I suspect the ignition control unit or immobiliser are likely culprits? Fuse number 8 was blown and according to the handbook is the injectors and cigarette lighter but the engine runs and lighter works. The manual says fuse 8 is for the immobiliser so I'm thinking this may be the problem. If anyone has had a similar issue or can point me in the right direction, it would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Thanks for the reply Boatbouy.
This was the fix.
The manual that can be downloaded from the TVR site is different to my car so looking at the relay and fuses as listed in the handbook saw that there was no starter relay in the fuse box. After searching around the car, pulled out the passenger foot panel, removed the ECU, and pulled the carpet back from the footwell and found the starter relay and 40 amp fuse. Replaced but still no power to the starter solenoid.
Followed the wiring through the bulkhead and found another relay buried under the wiper motor. This doesn't look like a factory item and appears someone has added this relay, perhaps because they couldn't find the original. Anyway, fitted a new relay here and it works again.
This was the fix.
The manual that can be downloaded from the TVR site is different to my car so looking at the relay and fuses as listed in the handbook saw that there was no starter relay in the fuse box. After searching around the car, pulled out the passenger foot panel, removed the ECU, and pulled the carpet back from the footwell and found the starter relay and 40 amp fuse. Replaced but still no power to the starter solenoid.
Followed the wiring through the bulkhead and found another relay buried under the wiper motor. This doesn't look like a factory item and appears someone has added this relay, perhaps because they couldn't find the original. Anyway, fitted a new relay here and it works again.
Mine does the same fairly regularly; a previous owner has fitted an extra starter button near the master switch which bypasses everything and cranks the starter whether the ignition is on or off. I believe in my case it’s an immobiliser issue although as I’ve not resolved it yet so that is still to be proven. The majority of the time I dont need to use the extra button.
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