Immobilizer woes

[itiejim]

After noticing a bit of fluctuation on the rev-counter I thought I'd swap the big fuse (2 actually on my car) for some midi ones. Whilst I was at I I cleaned up and painted the battery tray and so had to remove power to the car.

I was quite surprised that removing the power didn't set the alarm off, but, hey ho...

Anyway, jobs done, battery back on and it won't go - starter motor goes but the fuel pump won't prime

So...

I've removed the battery again - no joy.
Checked the fuel pump relay and fuse - all OK
Big fuse has continuity across it.

I've spoken to Carl the TVR electrical guru - what a fantastic guy. He spent a good half an hour on the phone, to run me through a few things which identified that my car is very unusual in so much as it would appear to have had the META alarm completely removed and a Clifford put in it's place which apparently requires an electrical genius and means that everything works differently... Nothing's simple

Anyway, before I tow it away I wondered if anyone else could suggest anything else to check / try?

[RUSSELLM]

Most likely the immobiliser , but the fuel pump's also controlled by the ECU.

May be worth checking the ECU fuse or making sure the passenger footwell's dry

Also, make sure no sneaky wires have escaped from your battery terminals... After market immobiliser on a thin wire with an in line fuse... Type of thing.

Good luck

Edited by RUSSELLM on Thursday 19th March 21:38

[itiejim]

Cheers Russ, no additional wires around that I can see. I'll have a look at hte ECU fuse.

[RUSSELLM]

On that last note , may be worth checking to see if there 's any wires hanging under the Two fuses you've replaced .

They could have used the fuse terminals or underside of them as the pos feed for the aftermarket immobiliser.

Edited by RUSSELLM on Thursday 19th March 21:51

[itiejim]

Success

...and a note to self - it's always the big fuse!!

After identifying a few inconsistencies - occasionally I had a spark but no fuel and then the opposite, I decided to retrace my steps and look at the big fuses again.

Although they were really clean and well bolted down, a further attack with a file, a bit of carb cleaner and new nuts ensured the best possible connection and now it's going beautifully again

Funnily enough when it wouldn't go at first I checked that I had continuity - which I did, however, it was obviously failing under load.

Thanks all, I'll be out making noise again tomorrow morning