stranded!

[_DJ_]

My first TVR electrical problem - I've just washed the car and when I tried to start it afterwards, it starts but the starter motor doesn't stop! Its just about managed to flatten the battery as I scrambled to open the bonnet and disconnect it. Any ideas of what could cause this? I'm praying it hasn't caused any serious damage through turning it over for 45 seconds or so...
I figured it could be the starter solenoid. Does that sound plausible?

DJ


>>> Edited by _DJ_ on Sunday 16th November 13:34

[crazycats]

Could be a stuck solenoid, or a relay in the system somewhere, or something as simple as the button stuck in!!

[_DJ_]

Well, 5 hrs after it started misbehaving, it's sorted itself out. Presumably the water from the wash this morning caused the problem.


DJ

[crazycats]

Don't forget, that the key near the ashtray acts as a battery kill switch. So if it re-occurs, switch that off, rather than running round trying to disconnect the battery whilst the starter whirrs its way to destruction.

Paul

[weekender]

twice today I found that the starter motor wouldn't engage; it just made a whirring noise. This has happened on occasion before and it always starts if left for a minute or two and then try again, is this to do with the immobiliser?

[crazycats]

Nothing to do with the immob. You'd get no starter action at all if that was the case, or fuel pump, ign or anything else for that matter.... Sounds like th solenoid isn't engaging the starter into the flywheel.

They tend to get a bit sticky after time, remove and clean is the best bet, don't put any grease near it though, as this will suck up all the dust and stuff from the clutch and will make matters worse.

Paul

[yellow peril]

weekender said:

twice today I found that the starter motor wouldn't engage; it just made a whirring noise. This has happened on occasion before and it always starts if left for a minute or two and then try again, is this to do with the immobiliser?

Starter motors often get fried on Cerbs because they are on top of the engine.

We've had two reconditioned.

The first at around 30,000 .... it finally let us down after a couple of months of what you're having now and then again because it let us down a couple of weeks after being reconned.

But the dealer replaced it free of charge.

...//P//

[weekender]

this cerb is less than 12 months old and has only done 7k. looks like i need to contact the dealer again before the warrany expires in december!

[crazycats]

Cool, if its under warranty, get in there ....sharpish

[_DJ_]

crazycats said:

Don't forget, that the key near the ashtray acts as a battery kill switch. So if it re-occurs, switch that off, rather than running round trying to disconnect the battery whilst the starter whirrs its way to destruction. Paul

I didn't think in the heat of the moment. However, I did use it later in the day (when it was still not working).
Thanks for you help!

Darren.

[_DJ_]

Same problem when I started (or tried to start) the car again today! I can't believe it! Is this a dealer job is there anything else I can check? The cars been in the garage since so it's certainly not water. The only similarity to last time is that last time out I drove 'enthusiastically' using the whole rev range.
Any ideas?

thanks,

Darren.