Why I love TVR
Discussion
The wipers stopped working on my Chimaera, so I set off this morning with a headtorch, the "bible" a bunch of assorted fuses and some long nosed pliers.
First problem, the fuse board bore no relationship to any in the bible. Amazingly the one in the owners manual matched my car.
A bit of fiddling around in the footwell and fuse changed, after setting off the alarm (sorry to anyone in Little Burstead having a lay in). Nothing.
At this point in any other car I would have concluded the wiper motor was knackered, and booked it in to be fixed. So I gave the blades a shove. Nothing. Another shove. Nothing. One for good luck - working!
Part of the joy of ownership!
First problem, the fuse board bore no relationship to any in the bible. Amazingly the one in the owners manual matched my car.
A bit of fiddling around in the footwell and fuse changed, after setting off the alarm (sorry to anyone in Little Burstead having a lay in). Nothing.
At this point in any other car I would have concluded the wiper motor was knackered, and booked it in to be fixed. So I gave the blades a shove. Nothing. Another shove. Nothing. One for good luck - working!
Part of the joy of ownership!
In this process myself so know where you're coming from. Turns out the wiper gearbox on the passenger side has had it but only under load. Consequently I'm down to just a driver's side wiper. Of course it packed in on a drizzly night after a run to the coast one evening. TVR's don't you just love 'em?
To this day my Chim's windscreen wipers only work in the wet - there's too much friction to turn them against the screen in the dry!
Coincidentally - nice part of the country you're in. I used to head up round that way for a drive when I lived in Essex and it'd be a far more suitable home for a TVR than here in London.
Coincidentally - nice part of the country you're in. I used to head up round that way for a drive when I lived in Essex and it'd be a far more suitable home for a TVR than here in London.
Mine didn't break down, I just waited for the second to get moist before switching the wipers on. 
It is on my to do list, but it wasn't until the first time I came in from the wet and parked the car in a dry garage (ferry, to be precise) with the wipers mid way across the screen that I noticed it. Had slightly bigger issues to fix on the car since then, but we won't mention those!
It is on my to do list, but it wasn't until the first time I came in from the wet and parked the car in a dry garage (ferry, to be precise) with the wipers mid way across the screen that I noticed it. Had slightly bigger issues to fix on the car since then, but we won't mention those!
To add my bit - the fuel gauge stopped working 2 weeks ago, it would only show empty when the ingition was switched on. Had some time at home last week so thought I would take a look but was side tracked by the sudden appearence of a loud knocking sound at the rear. Decided it was the nearside driveshaft so replaced both cv joints and while there changed the diff oil.
Result - knocking gone and fuel gauge now working, did not realise that the gauge was connected to the back axel!!!!!
Andy
Result - knocking gone and fuel gauge now working, did not realise that the gauge was connected to the back axel!!!!!
Andy
Might be the park switch on the wiper motor, this is a standard rover mini wiper unit on the TVR so you can get one from minispares fairly cheap.
Might be a cheaper option first rather than replacing the whole thing:
http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?ty=pb&p...
Jon
Might be a cheaper option first rather than replacing the whole thing:
http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?ty=pb&p...
Jon
Targarama said:
Now then, all three of you should be planning to repair/replace your wiper motors. If people carried out some pre-emptive maintenance their cars wouldn't be breaking down all the time giving the brand an even worse reputation!
Yes Sir, No Sir, Three bags full Sir!
p.s. nothing wrong with the motor.....................Sir
Hi guys, i'm having a wiper problem as well, getting a ticking noise when i turn mine on and absolutely nothing. The only time they tried to work on the drive from picking it up was when i got up to lets say a "faster" speed where they flicked over a couple of times and then parked themselves right in the middle of the screen. They're now stuck there doing nothing and i'm still getting the ticking noise when i try to use them.
Has anyone got any ideas ? My thoughts are that the wiper motor is gone, if so does anyone know what part this is to replace it and can it just be replaced with another similar wiper motor ?
Cheers,
AJ
Has anyone got any ideas ? My thoughts are that the wiper motor is gone, if so does anyone know what part this is to replace it and can it just be replaced with another similar wiper motor ?
Cheers,
AJ
AJV8 said:
Hi guys, i'm having a wiper problem as well, getting a ticking noise when i turn mine on and absolutely nothing. The only time they tried to work on the drive from picking it up was when i got up to lets say a "faster" speed where they flicked over a couple of times and then parked themselves right in the middle of the screen. They're now stuck there doing nothing and i'm still getting the ticking noise when i try to use them.
Has anyone got any ideas ? My thoughts are that the wiper motor is gone, if so does anyone know what part this is to replace it and can it just be replaced with another similar wiper motor ?
Cheers,
AJ
First port of call is the park switch - it is easily changed and connects into the motor itself - you'll spot it and the wires quite easily.Has anyone got any ideas ? My thoughts are that the wiper motor is gone, if so does anyone know what part this is to replace it and can it just be replaced with another similar wiper motor ?
Cheers,
AJ
AJV8 said:
Hi guys, i'm having a wiper problem as well, getting a ticking noise when i turn mine on and absolutely nothing. The only time they tried to work on the drive from picking it up was when i got up to lets say a "faster" speed where they flicked over a couple of times and then parked themselves right in the middle of the screen. They're now stuck there doing nothing and i'm still getting the ticking noise when i try to use them.
Has anyone got any ideas ? My thoughts are that the wiper motor is gone, if so does anyone know what part this is to replace it and can it just be replaced with another similar wiper motor ?
Cheers,
AJ
To me that sounds like the wiper 'park' switch...as someone mentioned above.Has anyone got any ideas ? My thoughts are that the wiper motor is gone, if so does anyone know what part this is to replace it and can it just be replaced with another similar wiper motor ?
Cheers,
AJ
Easy repair, part is about £15, just remember to have the wipers mid-wipe when you put the switch in to the motor/gearbox ass'y.
Nick
the wipers are pathetic, even when working.
Adrian Venn refurbs them for a reasonable price
http://www.exactly-tvr.demon.co.uk/
Adrian Venn refurbs them for a reasonable price
http://www.exactly-tvr.demon.co.uk/
Actually just been through the whole changing the parking switch.
Just for your info if you take off the wires and put them back you may be suprised your wipers will work. In the area where the park switch is it is not protected in anyway and all water runs over this area.
So a quick check takes 5 mins max, unscrew 2 nuts turn the motor on its side and just clean the connections, very good chance your wipers will work again
Wipers generally work if park switch is broken, just the wipers dont park.
Just for your info if you take off the wires and put them back you may be suprised your wipers will work. In the area where the park switch is it is not protected in anyway and all water runs over this area.
So a quick check takes 5 mins max, unscrew 2 nuts turn the motor on its side and just clean the connections, very good chance your wipers will work again
Wipers generally work if park switch is broken, just the wipers dont park.
Paul, any ideas if it is the wiper motor rather than the park switch where i could find another wiper motor or what i might be able to do ?
Cheers,
AJ
paulskel said:
Actually just been through the whole changing the parking switch.
Just for your info if you take off the wires and put them back you may be suprised your wipers will work. In the area where the park switch is it is not protected in anyway and all water runs over this area.
So a quick check takes 5 mins max, unscrew 2 nuts turn the motor on its side and just clean the connections, very good chance your wipers will work again
Wipers generally work if park switch is broken, just the wipers dont park.
Just for your info if you take off the wires and put them back you may be suprised your wipers will work. In the area where the park switch is it is not protected in anyway and all water runs over this area.
So a quick check takes 5 mins max, unscrew 2 nuts turn the motor on its side and just clean the connections, very good chance your wipers will work again
Wipers generally work if park switch is broken, just the wipers dont park.
Why I love TVR.............(thanks to Andymadmak)
Driving a TVR Wedge
and then there's the bit about making rapid progress across country................
Hard work? yes, but sheer exhileration when you get it right, terror when you get it wrong.
Let me explain, my house to Alfreton goes something like this.....
Turn right out of my drive, proceed gently down the narrow, bumpy road that leads to the main Alfreton road. Its about 1 mile this bit, so its nice to finish off warming the engine up before I play hard...
The wedge gurgles and snuffles on this bit, like it is waking up. I can smell the exhaust. It's running rich as it warms up. It makes driving smoothly a bit of a challenge, especially given the bumpy road. I wave at the Chim owner just down the road from me. He ALWAYS grins as I go by. I never hear him pass my house...
Reach the main road. Engine Ts and Ps all good. Road clear. PLAYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Turn right, there's a pub opposite the turn, and it's a sunny evening so people are outside enjoying a quiet drink. Only, it's not quiet any more.
I give it some throttle, The rear squats and moves a foot or so to the left as I make the turn. A dab less steering lock and we're straight again. 2 seconds later and it's time for second gear, the noise is huge, Someone has dropped their beer. 3 seconds later it's doing 60 and pulling very hard. Into third and the exhaust note takes on a menacing, hard edged throb as a 14 year old wedge spots a Toyota Supra ahead. (the last of the twin turbo models, late 1990s vintage) No chance to overtake, so I slow to 60 behind the jap tin top. I hold fourth gear and the noise bounces off the dry stone wall to my left. He's noticed me, the Toyota driver. His car has some flash rims on and an exhaust that makes the wedges look no bigger than a Nissan Micras. I can't hear it though.
Through Tansley, I can read his mind. He's waiting for the NSL zone that starts on the hill after the village. He keeps glancing in the mirror. Doing 45mph now, I select third and wait.
He goes, so do I. Wedge tail squats noise rises. redline, fourth pulling very hard now, He's not getting away, not by a long chalk. In fact the wedge is staying with him very easily. There's a right hander coming up. Its open, good sight line, up hill. I take the appropriate line exiting in third gear. Toyota man has slowed a bit too much and is struggling to get momentum on the exit. I keep it tight and blast past him, riding a humungous tidal wave of noise. Into 4th and the egine is on cam again immediatley. I hold the throttle down as I crest the rise. The car goes light for a second, but then I am going very fast now. The Toyota is 200meters back. He's working hard. I come up on some traffic. There's a blind bend ahead so I slow down. I know there's a nice down and up double S bend ahead followed by a short downhill straight and a 90degree right. Toyota man is back on my arse. I wait for the clear spot and blat past the traffic before braking hard for the double S. Toyota man is all over me now. I think he has more grip maybe? Short straight to the 90 right which I take in second. Got to be careful here, easy to get it sideways on the exit. The engine is popping and snorting on the over run. Toyota very close on the exit, hit throttle hard, to 6000 rpm in second, snatch third but not before the wedge emits a mighty pop from the exhaust. I smile to myself cos I know that Toyota man has just had is front bumper flame kissed! Except he hasn't cos the wedge has already opened up a good 50 meters on him.
Nice flat open section of bends next. Right, left right left, hold the throttle down throught the last two. In third at 5000rpm you get understeer on the last turn in.
Slow for Wessington. School here, so no faster than 25mph, even at night, cos you never know when kids will be playing. Toyota man blasts past me doing about 60 in the 30 limit. He's waving as if he thinks he's won some huge victory!
Pah! we'll see about that once we can get to safer roads again.
Leave the village after a nasty downhill left hander. Short straight to another 90 right. Going very hard now. The tail goes light as I brake for the right hander. I get back on the power and the wedge rockets though the corner in a wonderful power drift. I have got it wrong there before and nearly ended up in the hedge, this time though it's perfect.
Accelerate hard, towards the next left hander that opens into another perfect set of S bends to a railway bridge.
I can see Toyota man ahead, quarter mile distant.
I power thought the bends, straight lining most of them (vision is good) braking only for the last right hander before the bridge and the steep climb beyond.
Back on the throttle, 5000rpm and the noise is fantastic. Wedge is alive, I swear, under the bridge in a blur of air pressure and echoes. Closing on Toyota. The V8 is giving everything now as it propels me up the hill. Exhaust note is hard, menacing.
I'm back on his tail now.
Stop at the T junction. Engine Ts and Ps all good
He goes right. I go right. Lots of opposite lock to keep things straight as we accelerate, but he's going nowhere, and he knows it. Traffic Lights I turn left, he goes straight, but stops as I turn past his rear. I slow to hear him point at the wedge and yell "Thats F***in awesome, what is it? "
I watch his blinged jap car drive away. He won't ever suffer from water leaks, mouldy carpets, sticky light pods of rumbly diffs. But neither will he forget the day a blue, wedge-shaped mystery car blew away his P&J.
Thats wedge ownership.
Driving a TVR Wedge
and then there's the bit about making rapid progress across country................
Hard work? yes, but sheer exhileration when you get it right, terror when you get it wrong.
Let me explain, my house to Alfreton goes something like this.....
Turn right out of my drive, proceed gently down the narrow, bumpy road that leads to the main Alfreton road. Its about 1 mile this bit, so its nice to finish off warming the engine up before I play hard...
The wedge gurgles and snuffles on this bit, like it is waking up. I can smell the exhaust. It's running rich as it warms up. It makes driving smoothly a bit of a challenge, especially given the bumpy road. I wave at the Chim owner just down the road from me. He ALWAYS grins as I go by. I never hear him pass my house...
Reach the main road. Engine Ts and Ps all good. Road clear. PLAYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Turn right, there's a pub opposite the turn, and it's a sunny evening so people are outside enjoying a quiet drink. Only, it's not quiet any more.
I give it some throttle, The rear squats and moves a foot or so to the left as I make the turn. A dab less steering lock and we're straight again. 2 seconds later and it's time for second gear, the noise is huge, Someone has dropped their beer. 3 seconds later it's doing 60 and pulling very hard. Into third and the exhaust note takes on a menacing, hard edged throb as a 14 year old wedge spots a Toyota Supra ahead. (the last of the twin turbo models, late 1990s vintage) No chance to overtake, so I slow to 60 behind the jap tin top. I hold fourth gear and the noise bounces off the dry stone wall to my left. He's noticed me, the Toyota driver. His car has some flash rims on and an exhaust that makes the wedges look no bigger than a Nissan Micras. I can't hear it though.
Through Tansley, I can read his mind. He's waiting for the NSL zone that starts on the hill after the village. He keeps glancing in the mirror. Doing 45mph now, I select third and wait.
He goes, so do I. Wedge tail squats noise rises. redline, fourth pulling very hard now, He's not getting away, not by a long chalk. In fact the wedge is staying with him very easily. There's a right hander coming up. Its open, good sight line, up hill. I take the appropriate line exiting in third gear. Toyota man has slowed a bit too much and is struggling to get momentum on the exit. I keep it tight and blast past him, riding a humungous tidal wave of noise. Into 4th and the egine is on cam again immediatley. I hold the throttle down as I crest the rise. The car goes light for a second, but then I am going very fast now. The Toyota is 200meters back. He's working hard. I come up on some traffic. There's a blind bend ahead so I slow down. I know there's a nice down and up double S bend ahead followed by a short downhill straight and a 90degree right. Toyota man is back on my arse. I wait for the clear spot and blat past the traffic before braking hard for the double S. Toyota man is all over me now. I think he has more grip maybe? Short straight to the 90 right which I take in second. Got to be careful here, easy to get it sideways on the exit. The engine is popping and snorting on the over run. Toyota very close on the exit, hit throttle hard, to 6000 rpm in second, snatch third but not before the wedge emits a mighty pop from the exhaust. I smile to myself cos I know that Toyota man has just had is front bumper flame kissed! Except he hasn't cos the wedge has already opened up a good 50 meters on him.
Nice flat open section of bends next. Right, left right left, hold the throttle down throught the last two. In third at 5000rpm you get understeer on the last turn in.
Slow for Wessington. School here, so no faster than 25mph, even at night, cos you never know when kids will be playing. Toyota man blasts past me doing about 60 in the 30 limit. He's waving as if he thinks he's won some huge victory!
Pah! we'll see about that once we can get to safer roads again.
Leave the village after a nasty downhill left hander. Short straight to another 90 right. Going very hard now. The tail goes light as I brake for the right hander. I get back on the power and the wedge rockets though the corner in a wonderful power drift. I have got it wrong there before and nearly ended up in the hedge, this time though it's perfect.
Accelerate hard, towards the next left hander that opens into another perfect set of S bends to a railway bridge.
I can see Toyota man ahead, quarter mile distant.
I power thought the bends, straight lining most of them (vision is good) braking only for the last right hander before the bridge and the steep climb beyond.
Back on the throttle, 5000rpm and the noise is fantastic. Wedge is alive, I swear, under the bridge in a blur of air pressure and echoes. Closing on Toyota. The V8 is giving everything now as it propels me up the hill. Exhaust note is hard, menacing.
I'm back on his tail now.
Stop at the T junction. Engine Ts and Ps all good
He goes right. I go right. Lots of opposite lock to keep things straight as we accelerate, but he's going nowhere, and he knows it. Traffic Lights I turn left, he goes straight, but stops as I turn past his rear. I slow to hear him point at the wedge and yell "Thats F***in awesome, what is it? "
I watch his blinged jap car drive away. He won't ever suffer from water leaks, mouldy carpets, sticky light pods of rumbly diffs. But neither will he forget the day a blue, wedge-shaped mystery car blew away his P&J.
Thats wedge ownership.
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