Discussion
First issue has come to light a few days and 150 miles into ownership.. Starter related. It had a refurbed one less than a year ago, new battery and trickle charger few months back, now sometimes when I go to start it, I'll get the sound of the starter firing the pinion to engage with the flywheel, but no cranking.. Am I right in thinking this is the solonoid playing up? If I keep trying it will end up firing up spot on, as though there was no issue previously.
First of all congrats on buying a Cerb they are just awesome and for your info I have had mine nearly 13 years so know most of the problems that can and will happen, all I can say is do not scimp on repairs and if you need advice put them up on here, anyway lets look at your problem, it could be the soloniod but I have just had the same problem with mine, new starter motor fitted as same problem with old one just clicking turns out to be hot start problem so take it to a TVR garage and ask them to check out if the starter works if it does then its a quick fix as they will know what to do.
Gary
Gary
Jhonno said:
First issue has come to light a few days and 150 miles into ownership.. Starter related. It had a refurbed one less than a year ago, new battery and trickle charger few months back, now sometimes when I go to start it, I'll get the sound of the starter firing the pinion to engage with the flywheel, but no cranking.. Am I right in thinking this is the solonoid playing up? If I keep trying it will end up firing up spot on, as though there was no issue previously.
Yep - I had the same issue on my cerb a while ago....it will eventually get more frequent until one day it won't fire into life.......there's a starter clutch / solenoid refurb kit you can buy and if you've got some understanding of one end of a spanner to the other, you can do the job yourself (I followed a list of instructions for starter removal that a kind Pistonheader had listed / written on here - search the forum and I'm sure you'll come across it).....and yes, the starter does come out the top of the engine bay, even though it looks impossible.Sadly hot or cold it does it.. After it had been sat for 5hrs at work earlier it took a good few mins of pressing to go. Then later this evening it went on the 3rd/4th go after sitting for an hour and a half. Then 2nd press after sitting for a couple of mins. So it has quickly got worse tbh, as it was fine 2 days ago..
h ofa job to get out though if you have big mitts lolIT could also be the immobiliser. When the relays in that are starting to go the starter solenoid doesn't get sufficient current to engage properly. The test for this is to jump a lead form the signal wire on the starter motor to the battery with the ignition on. If it works when you do that, then the starter motor its self is fine and the problem is either wiring or immobiliser.
Either bypass or replace the immobiliser. They seem to have a life of about 5-6 years before they start causing problems. I replaced mine when I first got my Cerb and it has just failed on the fuel pump circuit.
You can get a replacement immobiliser from Abacus Alarms separately from the alarm unit, however the version that is currently available only has 2 switched circuits whereas the original one uses 3. You need to add an extra relay to switch the extra circuit.
If you are not up for replacing it yourself people speak very highly of Carl Baker at Car & Bike Installations Although I haven't used him personally he has an excellent reputation
You can get a replacement immobiliser from Abacus Alarms separately from the alarm unit, however the version that is currently available only has 2 switched circuits whereas the original one uses 3. You need to add an extra relay to switch the extra circuit.
If you are not up for replacing it yourself people speak very highly of Carl Baker at Car & Bike Installations Although I haven't used him personally he has an excellent reputation
I can personally vouch for Carl Baker at Car & Bike Installations.
He recently fitted a new immobiliser, alarm and door/window control ECU. Solved my starting problems immediately which were due to a voltage issue related to age & the wiring of the stock immobiliser (known issue that apparently TVR wired them in reverse).
Starts first time every time now.
However, before doing this, I'd eliminate the starter motor itself. If it turns at all, or you hear noises in the engine bay, then it's unlikely to be the immobiliser. If you hear the boot relay clicking, but not the starter, then it's probably related to the immobiliser.
He recently fitted a new immobiliser, alarm and door/window control ECU. Solved my starting problems immediately which were due to a voltage issue related to age & the wiring of the stock immobiliser (known issue that apparently TVR wired them in reverse).
Starts first time every time now.
However, before doing this, I'd eliminate the starter motor itself. If it turns at all, or you hear noises in the engine bay, then it's unlikely to be the immobiliser. If you hear the boot relay clicking, but not the starter, then it's probably related to the immobiliser.
Jhonno said:
If it is the relays what is the next step?
I would take the car to a garage and get them to run checks before you start taking the car apart, if you are in RAC or AA they can check as well but be careful as I broke down and they came out and there was enough voltage getting to the starter and they thought is was the solonoid but the starter was 2 weeks old and it turned out to be a relay, if you get them to get the car started get it to a garage and let them find the problem you don,t want to just change the starter if you don,t need to but by the sounds of it it is the starter It's ok, I can run a few simple checks myself. Other than servicing I intend to look after this car myself, plenty of time spent wielding a spanner and even a soldering iron in the direction of a car for a good few years now. I also know exactly what has been done and how to potentially fix it again then.
Jhonno said:
I am inclined to think this is a voltage drop issue.. The battery light flickered on today.. It's had a new battery and alternator. Where on earth are the earths on these beasts?
Main earth to the chassis is on the underside top brace for the outrigger in the front passenger side wheel arch. Engine also attaches to that as does an earth that goes up inside the transmission tunnel and into the cabin behind the dashboard.The lighting earth to the chassis is at the front drivers side on a stud on the front lower cross piece.
The boot earth to chassis is behind the fuel tank then up to a stud just above the fuel tank which is earth for all the boxes in the boot and the fusebox.
Tanguero said:
IT could also be the immobiliser. When the relays in that are starting to go the starter solenoid doesn't get sufficient current to engage properly. The test for this is to jump a lead form the signal wire on the starter motor to the battery with the ignition on. If it works when you do that, then the starter motor its self is fine and the problem is either wiring or immobiliser.
Is the signal wire the thin one? 2/3mm in dia?This bit me in the arse today, out in the sun to take a few pics, starting on the button, now wont start, all you get is the 'ting' as the pinion is fired out, no cranking.. Had to bump it, and leave it running. First 1/2 brake down, so need to look at it before it goes anywhere now.
If it is the starter, well solonoid, are these 'upgrade' ones any good? Such as.. http://www.amp-starters.co.uk/product.asp?strParen...
Can't seem to find any refurb kits about atm.
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