Going mad?

[TA03ORA]

So, I came home from work in the Tamora last night, having been used daily for the last week.
Went to start this morning, and although battery reading ok and pump primed, just clicked on the turn of a key.
Great. Stuck the Accumate on and pinched the wife's car to get to work.
Got home tonight. Tried again a few times and it clicked as the key turned but nothing else.

Now. I then depressed the clutch and tried again and it jumped into life and it seems that unless the clutch is in, the car won't start. I don't recall this ever being the case but it's possible that I have always had the clutch down to start ( my audi won't start without clutch in so maybe I've become conditioned....!) and this is the first time I have tried without..?
My question is this ' have I always been starting it with the clutch in without realising it, or has the Tamora learnt a new trick?'

Any comments confirming my sanity would be greatly received..

[Zippee]

Your Tams learnt a new trick. Clutch up or down should make no difference.

[TA03ORA]

That's what I thought..!
Thanks for the response..

[TA03ORA]

That's what I thought..!
Thanks for the response..

[UFO MATT]

Very strange,thats tvr ownership for you :-)

[shep1001]

There is less load placed on the battery when cranking the engine with the clutch down no? if the battery is on its way out it will crank slower as the CCA (cold crank amperage) power is reduced. I had to jump mine at weekend off the Mazda, it has a big bd battery with a big CCA rating on it and it cranked over the TIV like it was on acid, cleaner and quicker than off the battery when its charged

Shep

[TA03ORA]

That makes sense. Although the battery and alternator are not more than 8 months old and it lives on the accumate when not in use..
A long as it starts I can live with a bit of clutch action....!

[shep1001]

TA03ORA said:

That makes sense. Although the battery and alternator are not more than 8 months old and it lives on the accumate when not in use..
A long as it starts I can live with a bit of clutch action....!

As has been said, it should start without the need to dip the clutch, don't know if the accumate will deep charge the battery, I think you need a good long drive to do this. I would be looking at a current draw somewhere that has flattened the battery. Disconnect the boot light for a while and leave it off the charger see if it goes flat again, if not plug the light back in and test again after a couple of days. Have a feel at the alternator when the car has stood for a while, does it feel warm? could be the alternator failing again.

Shep

[Targarama]

Hmm, I don't trust TVRs. Once something isn't right it can only mean a bigger problem somewhere. First port of call, I'd get the cables to the starter/solenoid checked for tightness at both ends. TVRs can be real b'stards - if you're not careful you'll find it in bed with your wife next.

[Getsis]

Starter motor solenoid sticking would be my guess, it was probably just coincidence that the solenoid worked when you pressed the clutch pedal.

[TA03ORA]

Thanks all.
Will get onto it..
No problems today by the way..

[Laser Sag]

Targarama said:

Hmm, I don't trust TVRs. Once something isn't right it can only mean a bigger problem somewhere. First port of call, I'd get the cables to the starter/solenoid checked for tightness at both ends. TVRs can be real b'stards - if you're not careful you'll find it in bed with your wife next.

Good advice and made me laugh as well, thanks for that.