My first TVR breakdown today..........

[T-Burn]

After about an hour of careful warming up and driving today, my T350 was still behaving perfectly......entered some fog on an A road at about 60, when the stereo speakers started cutting in and out, then cut out completely (with the CD still spinning fine). About 1/2 mile later, the pod started going crazy, with the speedo flicking up and down whilst at a constant speed (both the digital and analogue), until it eventually settled at 0mph. The revs started doing the same about a minute later. Pulled off the A road and half way across the roundabout, the engine cut out, so dipped the clutch and she bump started, but sounded rough so I dipped the clutch and she cut out again. Free wheeled to the side of the road.........

The AA weren't able to jump start it, so ended up going home on a low loader

I'm hoping it's something simple like a dodgy earth, or maybe moisture from the fog getting somewhere it shouldn't . Any ideas welcome please...............TIA

[targarama]

Sounds like an earth or the magic fuse between the alternator and the battery. Did you happen to notice the voltage reading being a little low recently (should be 13.5-13.7v trotting along).

Do a search for '100 Amp fuse' or similar and you'll find more about that little fella.

[T-Burn]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I haven't noticed the voltage reading low, although it's possible. I'll do some reading up on the fuse

[T-Burn]

Just had a thought. If it is the alternator fuse, should I not be able to jump start it anyway? Tried jump starting but it doesn't want to know!

[zooooom]

Welcome to the offical TVR club.
Remember your nothing in the world of TVR till youve had your first break down.

Hope its nothing to serious.

Edited by zooooom on Friday 22 December 22:57

[sidewayz]

Tag is right I reckon.Mine used to eat fuses for breakfast.What you need to do for peace of mind once the dealer has sorted it is ask them to make sure the connections are nice and tight-mine from the alternator end ( I think) were loose leading to irratic contact which led to spiking and hence fuses popping.Also ask for a connector for the battery which will alow you to recharge the battery easily - neither the AA,RAC or Green Flag carry them so its a good investment.Turns a low loader event into a thiry minute road side fix and thats only if it happens again.
Nowt serious and don't let it spoil your enjoyment of the car

[steve11]

That could of been a description of what happened to mine a few months ago, even down to stopping on the roundabout, 100 amp fuse blown, battery dead (and no I could not jump start mine either).

If you can change the battery/fuse yourself you'll save yourself £200.

Edited by steve11 on Saturday 23 December 08:07

[T-Burn]

Thanks guys. Sounds pretty conclusive, and nothing too bad

If I'm feeling brave, I'll have a go at the fuse and battery after crimbo myself. Been reading up on removing the airbox to get at the fuse

Love 'em and hate 'em............

[richb]

May be the 100a fuse but from what I heard this morning you may just broken it!!!
I'm told you should be used to this from your Cossie' days

[T-Burn]

lol - ok, who's been talking.........

[Ricardo Bertone]

Sounds like you entered the Twilight Zone - any funny music in the background?

Ricardo

[richb]

T-Burn said:

lol - OK, who's been talking.........

Just a common acquaintance Strangely I saw you parked up in Well End and almost stopped to see if you needed help but when I came back the RAC were there so I assumed they'd get you going again

[T-Burn]

Removed the airbox today and checked the 100A alternator fuse, which is fine
Left it on charge for some time and the battery seems to have taken it . The pod shows 12v so should be enough to start, except no fuel pump buzzing and the immobiliser light is permanently red. I'm guessing that the immobiliser needs 're-setting' after loosing all power ? Is it just a case of pulling fuses or is there a more scientific way to reset it?? TIA

[richb]

Tim, don't know what alarm you have but mine's a Meta Alarm and the easiest way to "reset" it is simply to disconnect the battery briefly and reconnect it. If the connection doesn't go on quickly and sparks then the siren sometimes starts going so then I simply have to blip the blipper. Rich...

Edited by richb on Thursday 28th December 22:19

[T-Burn]

richb said:

Tim, don't know what alarm you have but mine's a Meta Alarm and the easiest way to "reset" it is simply to disconnect the battery briefly and reconnect it. The alarm often starts whining so then I simply have to blip the blipper. Rich...

Many Thanks Richard, I'll give it a whirl tomorrow , Tim

[sswinno]

Hi T-

Just a thought my T350 did exactly the same trotting along nicely then cd played up speedo and rev counter died then finally gave up the ghost. I managed to roll into a car park and call the AA.
Battery was complety knackered they were able to jump start it but only managed to get me about a mile before it died again,had to do this about four times before i got home bloody embarassing being followed by a flashing AA van and a two mile tailback of holiday traffic happy days.
At Dulfords, after being taken away by a low loader, they found a faulty starter motor draining the battery so replaced both the battery and starter been fine ever since. So good luck get the beast back on the road asap

[T-Burn]

Reset the immobiliser today, but there wasn't enough juice to start up.........got the dreaded "machine gun" effect. There was enough power to jump start it though, but as soon as I disconnect the jump leads, it dies within a few seconds. Obviously the battery is well and truly knackered, but something has caused it........

sswinno - thanks for your comments. I'll check out the starter motor, in case this has been causing the drain.

[YI8TVR]

T-Burn said:

Reset the immobiliser today, but there wasn't enough juice to start up.........got the dreaded "machine gun" effect. There was enough power to jump start it though, but as soon as I disconnect the jump leads, it dies within a few seconds. Obviously the battery is well and truly knackered, but something has caused it........

sswinno - thanks for your comments. I'll check out the starter motor, in case this has been causing the drain.

When you say you have checked the 100 amp fuse. you need to take it off to see if its not broken as it usally breaks at the top where you cant see it..

A costly mistake i made!

[T-Burn]

YI8TVR said:

T-Burn said:

Reset the immobiliser today, but there wasn't enough juice to start up.........got the dreaded "machine gun" effect. There was enough power to jump start it though, but as soon as I disconnect the jump leads, it dies within a few seconds. Obviously the battery is well and truly knackered, but something has caused it........

sswinno - thanks for your comments. I'll check out the starter motor, in case this has been causing the drain.

When you say you have checked the 100 amp fuse. you need to take it off to see if its not broken as it usally breaks at the top where you cant see it..

A costly mistake i made!

You were right.......although the fusable link looked intact it was actually broken. TVR investigated the cause, which was initially thought to be moisture on the back of the pod, but turned out be a dodgy earth which was arcing. It blew the fuse, which deep cycled and consequently shagged the battery. Plus the Anderson plug was corroded and one of the terminals had broken off

Carrying a spare fusable link in the glove box now

[richb]

Pleased to hear you're up and running again Tim. YOu'll have to join up on one of our spirited runs down to Goodwood for breakfast this spring and drag Rob along to show him what a real car is like