It never rains but it pours - Help required!

[j_s_g]

OK, so Saturday was possibly my least favourite TVR moment so far, with verbal/physical abuse to the poor Cerb. Today, in protest at how it was treated, it's broken.

Started the car to head off down to Derby at 11pm. Rev counter not working, and battery warning light on. 1 quick search on Pistonheads later... and I'm looking at a rather dishevelled 100A fuse. I've not got a socket set that'll reach, so I get the RAC out. The mechanic's a bit bemused by me going "can you hand me a socket set, I'll take care of the rest", but he does. Fuse is well & truly gone, and obviously no spares around, so I just connect both terminals together for the time being. Problem solved (well, for a day or so).

These things come in threes though, right... Forgot to tell the RAC guy before he left that the boot's stopped opening (happened at same time today), and the car's down to 1/4 of a tank of petrol (had to happen the first time I've let it drop that low!) 10 minutes later & I've got into the boot (you know how ), and got it filled with Optimax.

So, the question is, any idea what's up with the boot switch? All the other electrics are fine, including the passenger's door which is also on Fuse 11. There's absolutely no effect from pressing the button at all... any history of the solenoid being suspect?

Cheers.

[hut49]

www.maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=040209072758765&moduleno=12304

Sounds like you need a new solenoid - fairly common problem. Worth checking Maplins for this - see above link.

[satman]

James, Mine did this...(boot, not fuse!)...and i found that one of the wires to the micro switch had become detached. The wires are soldered on and due to the fact the terminals on the switch are so small, its difficult to get much solder in place to make it stronger!...Anyway, once you peel back enough carpet to the back panel you will come across a recess behind the boot badge/switch. Inside you will see the arse end of the switch and wires...if it looks as if you have to remove the switch, you'll need a 11mm or 7/16AF spanner to remove the retaining nut,and you should find under some tape, a connector plug to allow you to disconnect it from the loom.
Biggest problem i faced was putting it back, as it is difficult to tighten the retaining nut in such a small space without ripping the wires back off!!!

[j_s_g]

Cheers guys. It's been taking a while to open for a bit now - it's been clicking, but the catch hasn't been releasing for a couple of seconds. Wonder if this was the solenoid packing in? I had a quick look at the wires last night & couldn't spot any problems, but I'll have to take another look/get it to a garage (away from home with no tools for another week).

[satman]

Have you tried leaning a bit on the boot near to where the catch mech is at the same time as pressing boot button?...maybe catch has a bit too much pressure on it if boot lid is shut very tight....if so maybe catch needs relief a little??...just a thought and a long shot!

[j_s_g]

satman said:

Have you tried leaning a bit on the boot near to where the catch mech is at the same time as pressing boot button?...maybe catch has a bit too much pressure on it if boot lid is shut very tight....if so maybe catch needs relief a little??...just a thought and a long shot!

Cheers, but I've done everything short of sacrificing a goat under a full moon!

Off up to see Joolz on Wednesday to get everything sorted. He da man!