Dead Chimaera - help please !
Discussion
Hi,
I own a 1998 Chimaera 4.5, which emerged from hibernation in the spring with no problems. It returned from a run and as I backed it into the garage, it stalled, and seemed reluctant to re-start. Since then, it won't start. Symptoms are as follows . . . .
Locks and unlocks OK using remote
Dashboard lights up, but there is no response from the fuel pump when I press the immobiliser button
The slot in key thing also fails to kick the fuel pump in, although both the fob and key thing turn the red immobiliser LED on the dash off
If I turn the key to start the car there is nothing, dash lights are all on, heater blower and headlights are all powering up.
Feel free to laugh at this bit ! The car is parked in a garage away from my home, with the nearside very close to the garage wall, so the passenger door won't open. Thus, I can check fuses, but only by laying upside down and sliding into the passengers footwell tunnel, which, at my age, and with my spinal problems, may well result in a trip to A & E.
So I guess my question is if the fuel pump is faulty, will the starter motor still engage when I turn the key, or does the immobiliser wait for the fuel pump to kick in before it will power the starter motor ?
Car battery is fully charged, and has been double checked using a booster pack.
Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.
Simon
I own a 1998 Chimaera 4.5, which emerged from hibernation in the spring with no problems. It returned from a run and as I backed it into the garage, it stalled, and seemed reluctant to re-start. Since then, it won't start. Symptoms are as follows . . . .
Locks and unlocks OK using remote
Dashboard lights up, but there is no response from the fuel pump when I press the immobiliser button
The slot in key thing also fails to kick the fuel pump in, although both the fob and key thing turn the red immobiliser LED on the dash off
If I turn the key to start the car there is nothing, dash lights are all on, heater blower and headlights are all powering up.
Feel free to laugh at this bit ! The car is parked in a garage away from my home, with the nearside very close to the garage wall, so the passenger door won't open. Thus, I can check fuses, but only by laying upside down and sliding into the passengers footwell tunnel, which, at my age, and with my spinal problems, may well result in a trip to A & E.
So I guess my question is if the fuel pump is faulty, will the starter motor still engage when I turn the key, or does the immobiliser wait for the fuel pump to kick in before it will power the starter motor ?
Car battery is fully charged, and has been double checked using a booster pack.
Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.
Simon
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the replies and advice. I have someone moving the car back onto my drive on Monday so I can work on it during the week, as there is fairly dry weather on the forecast. I will work my way through the list of tests / checks and will post any updates.
One last question, in my upside down head first trip into the foot well, I couldn't see the bump/crash cut-off device. Where exactly is it please, and what does it look like ? The handbook says to get it reset by the garage, but I'm guessing it doesn't need that ?
Regards,
Simon
Thanks for all the replies and advice. I have someone moving the car back onto my drive on Monday so I can work on it during the week, as there is fairly dry weather on the forecast. I will work my way through the list of tests / checks and will post any updates.
One last question, in my upside down head first trip into the foot well, I couldn't see the bump/crash cut-off device. Where exactly is it please, and what does it look like ? The handbook says to get it reset by the garage, but I'm guessing it doesn't need that ?
Regards,
Simon
UPDATE !
SO I ran some checks today, and the fuel pump works fine, but is not getting power from the car. The 2 relays for the fuel pump and the ECU are being replaced tomorrow on the advice of Dan at Taylor TVR, who couldn't have been more helpful. It's a last step to rule out the fuel pump issue, but Dan talked me through some checks, and there is no flashing LED on the side of the steering column suggesting immobiliser failure.
The plan will be to get it to Taylor TVR and the will temporarily bypass the immobilizer, (and I won't tell the insurance company !)and then I will arrange to get it back up to them in September when Carl Baker is back in the UK.
If anyone has any other ideas please feel free to comment.
Cheers,
Simon
SO I ran some checks today, and the fuel pump works fine, but is not getting power from the car. The 2 relays for the fuel pump and the ECU are being replaced tomorrow on the advice of Dan at Taylor TVR, who couldn't have been more helpful. It's a last step to rule out the fuel pump issue, but Dan talked me through some checks, and there is no flashing LED on the side of the steering column suggesting immobiliser failure.
The plan will be to get it to Taylor TVR and the will temporarily bypass the immobilizer, (and I won't tell the insurance company !)and then I will arrange to get it back up to them in September when Carl Baker is back in the UK.
If anyone has any other ideas please feel free to comment.
Cheers,
Simon
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