Let me introduce myself

[JWzed]

Hi. My name is John Winzer. I am a retired Marine Engineer,living in South Devon and have recently become the owner of a 1999 4ltr Chimaera. I wanted a project to do in my retirement and bought the car with 61500 miles on the clock in early November 2013 from a dealer in Leicestershire. The colour is Platinum Silver. It was sold as seen and needed some TLC but came with a complete service history and piles of old receipts. The outriggers had been replaced 12 months previously together with a recent waxoil throughout.
I was quite pleased (relieved) when I drove it back to Devon that there were no hot start/overheating/low oil pressure issues.

Since bringing it back I have done a set of cylinder compressions 160 - 165 psi all round which indicated to me that the motor was basically sound and then concentrated on cleaning/tidying things up under the bonnet. I also managed to contact the last owner (who had the car for 7 years) and got some historical info which was useful.
When I got stuck in I found a couple of small water leaks. One below the radiator so ended up
taking it out and having it re-cored, also one on the joint face between the timing cover and LH cylinder head.
Also changed the Water Pump, Front Cover oil seal and gaskets. Dug down and removed the Power Steering system and all the gear on the top of the motor to enable the rocker covers to be removed for cleaning.
Replaced the coil and all the PAS pipework, drive belt and tensioner, thermostat, oil pressure sender. General degrease and clean under the bonnet and some chassis paintwork repair. Fixed the handbrake switch and fog light cable which had come loose. Now back together and got the motor running early January.

Since then It has had the drivers side seat cushion refurbished, a respray and new hood. Went for the narrower rear window option and glad that I did as the rear section folds much easier without the rear screen creasing.
I have a couple of outstanding things to resolve. One being the ignition warning light which only comes on briefly as I turn the key to crank the engine, then goes out when the engine starts. Have fitted a new ignition switch and tested the ignition relay and checked the alternator is charging OK. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

So the car is now presentable, which is why I have delayed introducing myself, as I know you all would have been demanding some pictures. The pictures attached were taken yesterday on Dartmoor. Hope you like them.

[NickM450]

Welcome to the fold John

Nice looking car Nice to have another owner down this way in the South West.

[Richard 858]

Hi John, sorry can't offer any proper suggestions regarding your ignition light issue & I'm no where near you geographically but welcome to the world of TVR peculiarities. I'd say you've got the ideal background for owning this type of car but be prepared, no 2 are quite the same and the sort of precision you're probably used to may be hard to find.
However miles of smiles are to be had so if you enjoy yours half as much as I do mine you'll be well rewarded.

Good Luck

Richard

[sapper]

Hi John, welcome. Beautiful looking car. Fastest looking colour too

[Alun450]

You've been doing a great job already John, she's gone to a good home. Welldone indeed, Enjoy the summer then enjoy the winter tinkering, what more can you ask for.

[swallet]

Oh for compression figures like yours!

Welcome to the club. TVR's - infuriating, maddening at times, but they do get under your skin and once they are nothing else has the same effect.

[zacherynuk]

Beautiful! Nice plate too!

[brett84]

you've got the fastest colour

[A900ss]

Welcome and nice colour.

Did you get the respray done locally?

[pwd95]

Nice.

[JWzed]

Thanks for the encouraging comment Guys. It's really good being able to access such a strong community as this.
Yes Karl, I had the car resprayed locally at a body repair company called Howards, sited at Lee Mill Industrial Estate near Ivybridge. Used them several times and I have never been let down.
Anybody go any ideas regarding my ignition warning light issue?

[anonymous-user]

Hi from what I understand the 100amp fuse/holder on the chassis rail can cause electrical gremlins, its a cheap fix and some change it regularly to avoid issues. V. nice motor.

[s p a c e m a n]

Welcome

Here's the second photo from your original post, you have to put spaces between each picture when posting otherwise only the first will display. As for the ignition light, no idea why it doesn't light up when you first turn the key, sorry

[s p a c e m a n]

Just thinking aloud seeing as it would appear you've checked over the ignition side fairly thoroughly, are you sure that the bulbs are in the correct holes in the dash and it's not the oil light that's not illuminating?

I've done that one recently

[Hedgehopper]

Hi John, welcome to the TVR helpline.

The ignition warning light played up on my car and lit up incorrectly. It turned out that the LED was wired-up the wrong way round, reversing the connections cured the problem.

Hope this works for you,

[s p a c e m a n]

Just realised It's a back to the future car, 88mph marty

[Nosh]

welcome

[JWzed]

Thanks for sorting out my original post Spaceman. How did you know I was a numpty when it came to IT?
Regarding my ignition light problem. Looks like I need to take the Dash off for a poke around at the Led. There's a first time for everything.