Nearly high and dry

[MOD500]

Last night went for a blast, filled up with petrol, set off again. At traffic lights the idle was messing about (it happens once in a while), sitting at 1500rpm, so pulled up in a lay-by and switched the engine off, and tried to restart (this usully cures the problem). But there was nothing at all, the pump was priming, plenty of power in battery (lights, heater, etc working). So I sat for 15 mins, trying the start every 5 mins, still nothing. Started to bang on the steering wheel in mad rage, waited another 5 mins, then the car started fine, and drove perfectly for another 70 miles. Dare not stop it, in case of no restart, I was thinking poorly starter motor by this point. Got home, turned engine off, tried to restart, and it started fine, stoped and tried again, still perfect starting!

Stepper motor cleaned 4000 miles miles ago, the last time I cleaned it, I noticed little improvement in riased idle behaviour. Have had ECU chip by Mark Adams so there should'nt be any gremlins in there? Faulty stepper motor maybe, needs replacing?

Anyone got any ideas? Or just one of those things?

Thanks

MOD.

[GreenV8S]

My guess would be the starter, although these problems generally seem to be heat related so it seems a bit strange for this to crop up in winter. It could also be the alarm / immobiliser playing up. Mine was installed by just twisting the relevant wires together (I guess the bloke who installed it was a poacher turned gamekeeper) and started playing up in damp weather once corrosion set in.

If you get stuck again, sometimes it's worth just holding the key in the 'cranking' position for a minute or so, if the solenoid is sticking sometimes it will eventually work.

[ktg1000]

Mine does the same thing now and again - especially if you've been on a bit of a run and things are quite hot. I was warned it was a characteristic of the starter motor by the TVR dealer when I bought the Chim in July. It's only happened twice, when it does open bonnet for ten or so minutes to vent the heat and bob's usually your uncle.

[HongKongFui]

Hi all,

I've read about this problem and seem to remember that a heat shield for the starter motor was recommended, does anyone have any experience of these?

Good luck

[MOD500]

Thanks for the replys

Hope it does not happen again Just thought, maybe probs caused by moisture (from damp air this time of year) that settled on engine, etc whilst car parked up since weekend, when engine hot, moisture evaporates and causes odd behaviour

Have a good weekend

MOD.

[frankgilbert]

Could be a loose or breaking down H.T. cable dtemperature ependent on their age- do deteriorate because of high. Had all these problems although worse on 5ltr biger heat output Try pushing H.T.lead home fully in both coil & distributor sound daft but it worked for me Had trouble this summer with "Heat soak" it closes all the engine down sometimes everthing other times pump petrol works but won`t turn over always starts after 30 mins or so . Fitted a manual over ride so when came into traffic turned it on easy to do just break into otter swith connection & haetinsulate the hard bit is running the wiring behind the air intake & running it into the cabin .Also fitted a new grill my chim`s apre face lift this made an enormous difference refitted the original a it doesn`t get warm in winter. Hope that helps.