Starter motor and revs questions

[UKBob]

Got two problems.

1) Starter motor. I turn the alarm off, fuel pump etc primes, but the starter motor just wont engage. 2 minutes of turning it on and off and on and off and eventually it engages and starts. This seems to happen when its been left for 1-2 days and the car is cold.

2) The revs. What should they idle at? Mine were idling at 2000 (not sure why, came back like that after a service) and the dealer reset the revs to 900 (they used to idle at 1200)

However, today the car stalled twice when the revs dropped down below 800. Im not sure what the ideal idle point should be... but I did notice the oil pressure was reading 30, the lowest Ive ever seen it, when the car idled at 800ish.

Im guessing/hoping I just need to have the idle point a little higher?

[gbbird]

Bob,

i think mine idles at about 800rpm, and never had a problem with stalling etc. I would say 2000rpm is way too high

[anonymous-user]

it should be 900rpm to 100rpm at idle.

As for the starter motor - check the feed on the small wire to the starter, if there is a feed then its either the starter solenoid or the starter at fault.

[UKBob]

gbbird said:

Bob,

i think mine idles at about 800rpm, and never had a problem with stalling etc. I would say 2000rpm is way too high

2000 is far too high, yes

It was only like that for a few days. Usually at 1200.

K18STM said:

it should be 900rpm to 1000rpm at idle.

As for the starter motor - check the feed on the small wire to the starter, if there is a feed then its either the starter solenoid or the starter at fault.

Dont spose you or anyone else has pics?? I cant even find the starter motor, isnt it under the engine somewhere? (really showing myself up now!)

And erm... what should a feed look like, on a cerbera?

[anonymous-user]

starter is down the back of the engine on top of gearbox bell housing and the feed is a 2-3mm thick wire that goes into a grey block connector.

[DuncanM]

[quote=UKBob]2) The revs. What should they idle at? Mine were idling at 2000 (not sure why, came back like that after a service) and the dealer reset the revs to 900 (they used to idle at 1200)quote]

Just noticed this but if it was ok before the service and now you're having trouble surely it's the dealers responsibility to get the idle right?

Duncan

[UKBob]

DuncanM said:

UKBob said:

What should they idle at? Mine were idling at 2000 not sure why, came back like that after a service) and the dealer reset the revs to 900 (they used to idle at 1200)

Just noticed this but if it was ok before the service and now you're having trouble surely it's the dealers responsibility to get the idle right?

Duncan

Im hope they sort it out FOC. Considering the 2k revs problem materialised when they handed it back.

Im used to 1200 rpm which I prefer. The car very occasionally (5 times now) stalls. And this seems to happen when the revs drop below the 800rpm mark. Not sure at what point it stalls, though, as it happens so fast.

[DuncanM]

Don't want to wind you up Bob but if the car is properly serviced and running well you shouldn't need a 1200rpm idle to stop it stalling.

1200 is still a little high imo and a good aim would be 1000 on the dot if you're worried about stalling.

Mine is 1000 on the dot .

Good luck getting it sorted, if they are TVR dealers and have the diagnostic software there really is no excuse for them to not get it spot on (how you want it!).

Duncan

[UKBob]

DuncanM said:

Don't want to wind you up Bob but if the car is properly serviced and running well you shouldn't need a 1200rpm idle to stop it stalling.

1200 is still a little high imo and a good aim would be 1000 on the dot if you're worried about stalling.

Mine is 1000 on the dot .

Good luck getting it sorted, if they are TVR dealers and have the diagnostic software there really is no excuse for them to not get it spot on (how you want it!).

Duncan

I think i figured out what it is. When the engine is first started, and the aircon switched on, it drops down dangerously low. Im sure a small adjustment will make all the difference (not that Ive been able to stall it since, I merely noticed that the aircon plays a part) Im still going to get idle set back at 1000+ which is where I prefer it to be.

Thanks for all the advice.

Edited by UKBob on Tuesday 4th July 20:25