HELP - think my Nobs got wet

[Dave2P]

Just finished washing the car... lots of loverly water...

Attempt to start up and no go.

All appears normal up to the final turning of the key to start :- the lights on the console flash on/off as per normal, and stay on when the immobiliser key is pressed - all as normal. Whirring from the engine bay at this point (I think) indicates the fuel pump is pressurising ok - the whirring stops after a few seconds.

But when I turn the key to start, nothing happens; no attempt to turn the engine at all.

When I withdraw the key, I get a series of three bleeps.

Presumably water has got where it shouldn't oughta. I've had a waft around with a hairdryer to dry the battery terminals and other odd water spots. Anyone suggest what I should check/dry next?

Many TIA, and a coffee at Goodwood for the best idea (that gets it started!)...

[node]

My car didn't like it when it became wet after a heavy downpour. The engine started but 10mins into driving it began to splutter. It hasn't been exposed to the elements since then and the spluttering has never occured again. All i'd say is let it dry out over a day or two then try and start it up again.

Edited by node on Saturday 6th March 16:19

[RobP]

tut, tut... you should know by now that Nobles don't like water! I always wash with a minimum rather than maximum amount, and never let a hose get anywhere near it.
If all electrics are working fine (which sounds to be the case) maybe the starter motor has gone kaput. Try rocking it in gear for a bit and try again or try push starting it. The alternative is to use a 'persuader' ie a hammer on it , but space round the starter motor is a bit tight.

[Jim O.]

If the dash lights up, the fuel pump works, and the fuel pump shuts off after a short amount of time, most likely the battery, battery connections, and ecu are working fine. I'd check the bank of relays in the engine compartment - pull each relay, check for any wetness or corrosion, clean up, hit with the hairdryer if wet, and reinstall. Hit the wiring under the relay sockets with the hairdryer, too. Do the same with the small fuseblock under the rear clam.

[Dave2P]

Thanks guys, will try all the above... and probably bring something German to Goodwood if no luck!

[Dave2P]

Ok, tried all the above suggestions (apart from the hammer)...

Is it possible the immobiliser is playing up? As per the first post, everything seems normal until the final turn of the key. A couple of seconds after removing the key, I get three bleeps / chirps; is it trying to tell me something?

[andygtt]

silly question I know, but have you tried pushing the starter button instead of final turn of key?

[Dave2P]

andygtt said:

have you tried pushing the starter button instead of final turn of key?

Yes, just the same.

[Stella Artois]

If you think that it it related to the alarm. Remove the passenger foot well false floor/kickplate and dry around the fuses and alarm system. It sometimes happens to mine when I jet wash it. I just leave it running when I spray it down now and take it for a blast afterwards to blow out any water ingress.

[The devil]

I would have thought that if the immobiliser was interfering then the ignition lights would not come on.

I think you need to turn the ignition on and try a bump start to see if everything is working normally apart from starter

[JLSELAN]

Dave2P said:

Ok, tried all the above suggestions (apart from the hammer)...

Is it possible the immobiliser is playing up? As per the first post, everything seems normal until the final turn of the key. A couple of seconds after removing the key, I get three bleeps / chirps; is it trying to tell me something?

Those 3 beeps are an indication that the alarm is triggered--is the rear clam switch operating properly?

Edited by JLSELAN on Sunday 7th March 17:17

[Dave2P]

Ugh, my Noble is resolutely immobile. Beautiful but immobile.

I've pulled and cleaned every fuse and relay I can reach (passenger side fusebox & engine bay - got the skinned knuckles to prove it) and the clam switch (tx for that suggestion - it was filthy!). Everything now looks bone dry and we've rocked it and attempted to bump it. Trickled overnight to ensure full charge but it's just the same.

So... anyone know any mobile diagnosis bods in the South East who know Nobles?

TIA, Dave

[daddysumo]

The first thing I would do is turn the ignition on,imobiliser off and put a jump lead directly from the battery on to the starter motor side of the starter motor relay, its a squeeze but can be done and see if it turns over.
Did you check the main fuse sited near to the 4 fuses by the ECU ?

[D_G]

Have you checked if there is live to the starter, if so you know it's just the starter and nothing on the car. Only takes two minutes to check.

Cheers

Dave

[bernhund]

Sorry to hear about your dysfunctional Nob Dave. I wish I had some suggestions, but haven't got a clue what could be wrong. Immobilisers and electrics on cars just leave me completely stumped.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

[Dave2P]

Following a visit from a very nice man from the RAC my Noble is Mobile. Yay!

I think it made his day as it was the first one he'd seen close up but he was very thorough, tested everything he could and quickly ascertained that all fuses, relays and the starter motor were ok... all the way to the feeble little trigger wire to the starter.

One light tug and it came away from the terminal! The terminal had clearly been bent 90 degrees to stretch, when fitted, due to the wire being too short. The wire must have been taut as a guitar string and had presumably been sitting there slowly being stressed away by the vibration over the years until it let go on Saturday (perhaps with the help of a drop of water but who knows).

So mark one down to factory build quality and one up to the RAC. Cool.

Thanks to everyone who posted suggestions here; they were much appreciated and I now know a little more about my shiny red Nob. And thanks to the man from the RAC.

Tuesday I'm in love...

[jdearden]

if its red your using it too much. lol