Something gone wrong
Discussion
Ive had the V8S since last tuesday, its been fine up till now. We spent the morning cleaning it (no hose, just a chamios) and certinly didnt splash the car, just rubbed it down etc.
But, it seems that the electrics are playing up. Was atop beachy head, pulled in, stoppped, got out (didnt arm the thatcham cat 1 laserline alarm) took pics, got back in, started up, the alarm went off, fuel pump imobilised, car cut out after 5 seconds.
disabled alarm, reset as usual, started ok, started driving, 10 seconds ok, then alarm went off, car cut out ... same again a third time.
Then, got started, got driving, was going 40mph when alarm started again, car cut out, put on hazzards and pulled over.
Played around, no joy. Got out and armed, waited 5 mins - got in the usual disarm, start with 30 secs... started, was ok. Just sat there for 5 mins (already had someone on their way to help, and girlfriend phoned someone who passed us on the road... who came back to "help" and the car was ok for 5 mins... idling fine. Car then died.
Started up ok, idled ok for 5 mins, so decided to risk it, headed back home. No incidents. 1 hour later, went to take it out, started up after usual/correct disarming procedure, and alarm goes off after car is started. that happened twice.
Who should I call. Im in Sussex (eastbourne) and dont know who to turn to. I cant tell anymore more than I already have, I cant say if its the alarm, the electrics (suspect the electrics) and the car got less wet from washing than it did from the last 5 days rain and drizzle.
Who should I call? Anyone got any guesses as to what it might be?
But, it seems that the electrics are playing up. Was atop beachy head, pulled in, stoppped, got out (didnt arm the thatcham cat 1 laserline alarm) took pics, got back in, started up, the alarm went off, fuel pump imobilised, car cut out after 5 seconds.
disabled alarm, reset as usual, started ok, started driving, 10 seconds ok, then alarm went off, car cut out ... same again a third time.
Then, got started, got driving, was going 40mph when alarm started again, car cut out, put on hazzards and pulled over.
Played around, no joy. Got out and armed, waited 5 mins - got in the usual disarm, start with 30 secs... started, was ok. Just sat there for 5 mins (already had someone on their way to help, and girlfriend phoned someone who passed us on the road... who came back to "help" and the car was ok for 5 mins... idling fine. Car then died.
Started up ok, idled ok for 5 mins, so decided to risk it, headed back home. No incidents. 1 hour later, went to take it out, started up after usual/correct disarming procedure, and alarm goes off after car is started. that happened twice.
Who should I call. Im in Sussex (eastbourne) and dont know who to turn to. I cant tell anymore more than I already have, I cant say if its the alarm, the electrics (suspect the electrics) and the car got less wet from washing than it did from the last 5 days rain and drizzle.
Who should I call? Anyone got any guesses as to what it might be?
The alarm has been on the car for 3+ years, never gave the previous owner any problems.
Ive got a key which fits into a socket mounted on the facia, which deactivates it. Only necessary when not using the keyfob. Didn't do any good, as such.
The problem is... sometimes 10 seconds after being started(!) sometimes 30, sometimes 5 minutes later... the alarm goes off, the imobiliser kicks in, the fuel pump cuts out, and the engine dies.
Who can/should I call in sussex? I need someone that will come round and sort it, coz I dont know how to fix it myself, and have no other alternative.
Im wondering... obvisouly everyone will charge somethingn for a callout, but do I call the alarm people (I have their number) or... a TVR specialist? If the latter, then who, and what am I likely to pay to a callout and tinkering time, and if not solved in tinkering time, do electrics problems ever cost a lot?
What worries me is who to call first, and the possibility that being an intermittant fault, it will get sent back without having been sorted.
Gutted, having it sat outside and not being able to drive it, and having no knowlege of how to fix or even test it.
PS, im doing the same things I have done for the last 5 days, with the alarm and car. Its only started playing up today. Help, anyone?
Ive got a key which fits into a socket mounted on the facia, which deactivates it. Only necessary when not using the keyfob. Didn't do any good, as such.
The problem is... sometimes 10 seconds after being started(!) sometimes 30, sometimes 5 minutes later... the alarm goes off, the imobiliser kicks in, the fuel pump cuts out, and the engine dies.
Who can/should I call in sussex? I need someone that will come round and sort it, coz I dont know how to fix it myself, and have no other alternative.
Im wondering... obvisouly everyone will charge somethingn for a callout, but do I call the alarm people (I have their number) or... a TVR specialist? If the latter, then who, and what am I likely to pay to a callout and tinkering time, and if not solved in tinkering time, do electrics problems ever cost a lot?
What worries me is who to call first, and the possibility that being an intermittant fault, it will get sent back without having been sorted.
Gutted, having it sat outside and not being able to drive it, and having no knowlege of how to fix or even test it.
PS, im doing the same things I have done for the last 5 days, with the alarm and car. Its only started playing up today. Help, anyone?
ukbob, sorry to hear about your troubles after all the excitment of last week.
In the 12 months I have owned my TVR the only problems I have had were when I left it outside in the rain for a couple of weeks. I had several irritating electrical problems, eg doors, windows, until I dried her out and got the leaking silicon joints resealed. I think you will have far fewer problems if you keep the car dry, if you don't have a garage buy a cover - at this time of the year the sun will dry the car quickly. As a matter of interest did the previuos owner keep the car gagarged ??
If you have time to cover it and let it dry out for a day or two, it may solve you problem without any more problems. I dont know if you can do the 'reset' thing on the V8S (where you pull apart some of the connectors in the boot for 4 seconds), do a search on here, it may be worth a go. If you need to get it to a dealer, call or join the AA. In Sussex Dream Machines are supposed to be good. Personally, I would call a dealer rather than an alarm company but I would also try and cover the car and dry it out first and see if that solves the problem.
In the 12 months I have owned my TVR the only problems I have had were when I left it outside in the rain for a couple of weeks. I had several irritating electrical problems, eg doors, windows, until I dried her out and got the leaking silicon joints resealed. I think you will have far fewer problems if you keep the car dry, if you don't have a garage buy a cover - at this time of the year the sun will dry the car quickly. As a matter of interest did the previuos owner keep the car gagarged ??
If you have time to cover it and let it dry out for a day or two, it may solve you problem without any more problems. I dont know if you can do the 'reset' thing on the V8S (where you pull apart some of the connectors in the boot for 4 seconds), do a search on here, it may be worth a go. If you need to get it to a dealer, call or join the AA. In Sussex Dream Machines are supposed to be good. Personally, I would call a dealer rather than an alarm company but I would also try and cover the car and dry it out first and see if that solves the problem.
RUSSELLM said:
Another thought, I wonder if the supply to the alarm is o.k., see if it's got an in line fuse on the positive & if so make sure it's tight.
It might be rearming when the power is removed & then replaced.
Yup, does sound like a short with the alarm system doesn't it.
Still, look on the bright side, I have a 10 year old alarm system and it works on a frequency now used for various high power security devices run by the MOD.
If I park and lock the car anywhere near a high security MOD base I cannot then unlock it and have to climb in through the back, whip out the stereo to disarm. Most annoying.
Took a long time to work that problem out
I wouldnt know what Im checking myself (and sympthise with you horseapple 
)
Who is the nearest TVR dealer to me (Eastbourne, Sussex) who could sort the car out this time, and also in the future when niggles arise. And could I expect them to collect and re-deliver, and... how much would they charge (approximage rough ball park guestimate is all Im asking for)
I'd like to call someone today, but dont know who to call
) Who is the nearest TVR dealer to me (Eastbourne, Sussex) who could sort the car out this time, and also in the future when niggles arise. And could I expect them to collect and re-deliver, and... how much would they charge (approximage rough ball park guestimate is all Im asking for)
I'd like to call someone today, but dont know who to call
I would suggest trying an alarm specialist first as the main dealer would probably do the same anyway.
Try yellow pages and look for one with VSIB approval.
They will usually come to you and when I upgraded an alarm on an old car they charged £50 to remove the old system including all the wiring.
Try yellow pages and look for one with VSIB approval.
They will usually come to you and when I upgraded an alarm on an old car they charged £50 to remove the old system including all the wiring.
Right, thanks chaps. Dunno who to try, but I'll flick through the yellow pages.
Im wondering if its the tvr electrics, as the car has been fine for 3 years, and only after having been left out in the rain (this last week, my first week of ownership) have the problems started... so suggests previous owner anyway. So is an alarm company really the best bet?
Im wondering if its the tvr electrics, as the car has been fine for 3 years, and only after having been left out in the rain (this last week, my first week of ownership) have the problems started... so suggests previous owner anyway. So is an alarm company really the best bet?
ukbob said:
Right, thanks chaps. Dunno who to try, but I'll flick through the yellow pages.
Im wondering if its the tvr electrics, as the car has been fine for 3 years, and only after having been left out in the rain (this last week, my first week of ownership) have the problems started... so suggests previous owner anyway. So is an alarm company really the best bet?
Would be my first choice. I use a local chap who deals in Laserline (but too far from you unfortunately). I think the VSIB approval is the important bit - avoids fly-by-night installers.
All your problems seem to centre around the alarm. A decent alarm specialist should at least be able to eliminate the alarm as the source (if it isn't it).
>> Edited by Buster4.2 on Monday 19th July 12:51
Right, I spoke to a chap at laserline, who says that without a doubt (95% sure) the problem is not the alarm. He says the alarm I have is a current model, and pretty much the most reliable enduring one I could buy.
Im sure its connections, bad earth, coroded wires or something similar. It all started after the rain, and 3+ years of ownership its been fine, just started after the rain.
Leave it with me, but can anyone help source a list of TVR dealers who are IN sussex, or anyone know the closest to me.
The laserline chap said a TVR dealer will blame it on the alarm, and am left feelings its best to ask a local dealer to check all the electrics, right? Are there any tvr dealers in sussex, even?
Im sure its connections, bad earth, coroded wires or something similar. It all started after the rain, and 3+ years of ownership its been fine, just started after the rain.
Leave it with me, but can anyone help source a list of TVR dealers who are IN sussex, or anyone know the closest to me.
The laserline chap said a TVR dealer will blame it on the alarm, and am left feelings its best to ask a local dealer to check all the electrics, right? Are there any tvr dealers in sussex, even?
Talk to this guy - he is a genius, got us out of a tight spot a few weeks ago, went to a lot of trouble to help us - can't recommend him highly enough :-
Carl Baker
0772 072 3407
www.tvruk.tv
Liz
Carl Baker
0772 072 3407
www.tvruk.tv
Liz
. ukbob said:
It all started after the rain
Empathy ... our alarm is an early one, and last year would go off for 30 secs and then stop again - but only after the car had been left for 7 plus hours in the back yard. It then wouldn't do it for several days, and then same thing would happen. Typical intermittent fault. Handy at 3 in the morning - by the time we'd scrambled out of bed and found the fob it had always stopped!! Car was predominantly garaged with a dehumidifier over the winter, and (so far) problem hasn't returned - so I suspect damp may have had a big part in it - unless it was just the car's way of saying 'I'm here - drive me!'
Hope you get it sorted. Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff