cranking problem - any ideas

[jimbooo]

I have been having a problem for the last few months with starting the car when warm. Long story short it starts when cold first time but after driving if i stop for example at a petrol station and try and restart after a few minutes its dead as a doornail for 5 to 10 mins then fine again. The fuel pump primes (i can hear the whizz noise) but on the final turn of the key there is nothing, no turn over at all. I then sit there like a pillock blocking the petrol station with everyone looking at me thinking what is this idiot doing until the problem sorts itself and away i go.

Jetstream have recently rebuilt my engine but they have yet to find the root of this problem. Im going up there tomorrow and they are going to investigate further but i wondered if anyone on here had experienced a similar problem.

Our current thoughts are around the rear clam relay/fuse box area but so far haven't found any major issues.

Any ideas would be really appreciated or i may be waiting around for hours tomorrow searching for the cause.

Cheers

[GreenV8S]

On TVRs there's a well known 'hot start problem' which is caused by the starter solenoid sticking. It's caused by a combination of a slightly weak electrical supply to the solenoid, and the solenoid itself suffering from heat, dirt and corrosion and getting sticky. In our case the problem can be cured by uprating the electrics, and/or reconditioning the start motor, and/or fitting a heat shield to stop it getting cooked by the exhaust. Perhaps some of these measures would help in your case? I'd suggest starting by measuring the voltage at the solenoid when you try to crank the engine, and see whether it's getting full battery voltage.

If the problem happens again you may well find that after holding the key in the 'starting' position for thirty seconds or so, the starter will eventually kick into life. The problem also goes away quicker in our case if you lift the bonnet to increase ventilation.

[jimbooo]

Thanks that sounds quite possible. Ive just printed that off to take with me tomorrow.

Cheers. I'll let you know how i get on

[Gadgeroonie]

put the car in gear and rock it back and forth

then take out of gear and see if it will crank

if it now works - its the starter motor