Any advice on starting Tuscan please?

[deeen]

Ok I flooded it instead of starting it yesterday (Mk 1 Tuscan S) then flattened the battery trying to start it. Took out the battery, charged overninght. Connected it today, coughed a couple of times, still wouldn't start. So what next?

Does anything need resetting, because I disconnected the battery?

Is it worth taking out the fuel pump fuse (or is there easier way to switch off fuel pump?) and turning it over, even though it's been standing for 24 hours?

Is it worth taking out the plugs and cleaning them? How easy / difficult is this?

Apologies if this is numpty post... i tried a few searches, but most "starting" posts seem to refer to hot starting, or fuel pump not running, well its cold now, and the fuel pump sounds fine?

All help welcomed, cheers Dean

Edit to add: battery showing 12.3v "fully charged" and doesn't last THAT long, still above 9v while cranking though... could it be weak spark?

Edited by deeen on Wednesday 17th February 18:45

[Arapo]

I was going to recommend that you check the immobiliser, but if you can hear the pump working, I guess that should be OK..

If however, it is the immobiliser that needs fixing, your man is Carl Baker.
www.tvruk.co.uk is his website, in case you need it.

Good luck - sorry I cant be of more help, but I am sure the forum experts will be soon posting...!

[Whitey]

it does sound like your battery is not up to it anymore. How old is the battery, and how long had you left the car before starting it the last time? You could try charging the battery again, if still no luck then jump it off another car, and assuming it starts, then at least you will know it's the battery.

[glow worm]

A piece of advice,DO NOT PRESS THE ACCELLERATOR when starting..very tempting if it doesn't start,but floods easily and can cause a backfire through your airbox (and fire)...IMHO

If it doesn't start ..leave it 10 mins if you can and try again.

Oh, and book it in for a service.

Edited by glow worm on Wednesday 17th February 20:42

[PetrolHeadPete]

9v while cranking is right in the zone tvr electronics starts to get grumpy
Needs to hold up better than that IMO

[deeen]

Ok, thanks for advice so far. I'll try another battery in parallel, see if that improves cranking voltage. If not, I'm sure the battery won't do another winter, maybe time for a new one, anyway.

I'm hoping to get the service done in March, together with MOT.

Thanks again, Dean.

[nistock]

Glow Worm. Good advice. My car backfired and caused a fire in the airbox. No damage, fortunately, but it was an interesting few minutes watching smoke coming out of the bonnet, and no quick access to the engine!

[glow worm]

That's why I got my bonnet hinged and a carbon airbox.

[J_E_T]

Any general advice on getting it jump started after the winter break? Battery was brand new in September, but car's been in the garage since November. I've a solar cell charger that I thought would keep it topped up over the winter, but just found out it wasn't plugged into the cigarette lighter correctly!

Tried to start car at weekend, battery's dead. When I connected jump leads from my other car it arms the alarm etc. and gives power to open the doors, so it's definitely getting a connection, but tried to jump start it, and nothing. Left it connected for a good 45 minutes, tried to start it, engine turns but doesn't catch. After a few tries of that I get the repeated clicking, and alarm sets.

Any ideas? Would it be the battery that's just not holding a charge?

[ChrisnChris]

Have a quick check of the coil fuse

[deeen]

Hmm well, new battery, coughed a few times but never caught. I'm a bit stuck now... if it was my old spitfire, i'd be whipping out the plugs for a quick clean, but it looks a bit complicated on this!

Any more ideas, or is it a tow to the garage now?

Cheers, Dean

[beano500]

J_E_T said:

Any ideas? Would it be the battery that's just not holding a charge?

Easily! Even if you gets some leads on from a healthy battery you need a lot of "oomph" to crank that engine.

My experience was that, once flattened even once, a battery might not be fit enough for the job. Since my last new battery, it's been the ritual of battery out and onto conditioner for any prolonged periods!

ETA:

J_E_T said:

When I connected jump leads from my other car it arms the alarm etc. and gives power to open the doors, so it's definitely getting a connection.....

You'll need a mate (or a brick) and get the other car ticking over at above the revs where that battery's getting signifcant charge. I remember now, even an RAC van has needed their heavy duty boost battery or the engine and a lot of welly!!!!!

Edited by beano500 on Thursday 18th February 21:42

[beano500]

deeen said:

Hmm well, new battery, coughed a few times but never caught.

Has that one flattened - have you given it a few minutes between each attempt to recover? Because if you can't get a new battery or a jump to give enough juice to allow it to crank and fire I think you're right, it's something a little more "troublesome" to diagnose.

[deeen]

beano500 said:

deeen said:

Hmm well, new battery, coughed a few times but never caught.

Has that one flattened - have you given it a few minutes between each attempt to recover? Because if you can't get a new battery or a jump to give enough juice to allow it to crank and fire I think you're right, it's something a little more "troublesome" to diagnose.

No, turning over fine, petrol pump sounds fine, just coughing occasionally but never catching.

[froggie]

whip the allan key bolts out of the plug /lead cover,
gently remove plug capr
blow out any debri in plug recess
remove plugs with skinny walled plug socket, rear one i usualy use 6" extention as its under the scuttle panel.
i usualy use a heat gun to dry plugs,
quick removal of fuel pump fuse or injector plugs,
turn over a while, with throttle flat out

WORTH WHILE TAKING AIR FILTER OFF INCASE ITS FULL OF FUEL AND CATCHES FIRE (id of thaught carbon ones would burn easier than glass fibre) As there a big course of fire dont know why why there not flame proof material.

fefit plugs and fuse/inj plugs.
Again no throttle on starting.

[deeen]

Great froggie, thanks for that! I'll give it a go tomorrow, weather permitting!

Cheers, Dean

[Gazzab]

Join the AA and get them to take it to an indie?