Car not starting, waiting for RAC..
Discussion
I thought I’d give the car a run after doing the coolant. Mrs needed me to pick something up so thought I’d take the Chim.
Mistake!
Got to my destination (temps actually staying very constant so coolant top up/otter seems good) picked up the item, car will just start, chug away with revs VERY low, no response from the throttle and dies.
I can’t hear the fuel pump priming either. That doesn’t strike me as the hot start issue, is it? Occasionally nothing will happen, won’t even try to turn over. Just under half a tank of fuel but I picked it up with less and filled it up (didn’t brim it), so I don’t think the fuel gauge is wrong..
Any thoughts while I wait for the RAC?
I have no tools on me, yes, that was a mistake.
Mistake!
Got to my destination (temps actually staying very constant so coolant top up/otter seems good) picked up the item, car will just start, chug away with revs VERY low, no response from the throttle and dies.
I can’t hear the fuel pump priming either. That doesn’t strike me as the hot start issue, is it? Occasionally nothing will happen, won’t even try to turn over. Just under half a tank of fuel but I picked it up with less and filled it up (didn’t brim it), so I don’t think the fuel gauge is wrong..
Any thoughts while I wait for the RAC?
I have no tools on me, yes, that was a mistake.
Granturadriver said:
Car drove without problems and started after the break?! Would assume something is wrong with the fuel supply (trinary switch, fuel pump, air lock in or leaking fuel lines)!
Good luck!
No issues at all on the drive here, but came back to the car after 5 min and it starts and die etc and no noise at all from the fuel pump.Good luck!
I had it on my old Chim the wires on the pumped worked themselves loose and I managed to push them back on, but I had a golf umbrella then and lack that handy tool today. Tried and can’t reach it.
Is the trinary switch the one behind the “glove” box? Or something else?
Am home! No thanks to the RAC. 3.5 hours and they still haven’t even called to say they are coming.
Joined the AA (only left because the RAC was “free” via Tesco - that teaches me), they turned up in less than an hour.
Annoyingly it was the same problem I had with my last one - fuel pump connection. I hadn’t been able to reach it but the chap did, and she fired right up.
Next job at the top of the list is to permanently sort those connections, clean and protect them.
Joined the AA (only left because the RAC was “free” via Tesco - that teaches me), they turned up in less than an hour.
Annoyingly it was the same problem I had with my last one - fuel pump connection. I hadn’t been able to reach it but the chap did, and she fired right up.
Next job at the top of the list is to permanently sort those connections, clean and protect them.
I think my approach would be to crimp some *GOOD* quality ring terminals onto the wires (check the copper hasn't gone back - if so replace both wires back until the copper is nice and bright), and use either shake-proof washers or threadlock to stop the nuts rattling loose, cover the connections with electrical contact grease or failing that Vaseline, and use those terminal boots to keep muck off.
In case your fuel pump has spade terminals, I might solder a flying lead onto the pump and fit an inline 2-pin JPT connector - remembering the wire seals. Zip tire the inline connector to the pump or at least somewhere where it wont flap about, fatiguing the solder connections at the pump spades.
I am away this weekend (with the family, so no TVR), but when I am back I will lift the car and take a proper look at the pump and deal with the connectors, thank you for the suggestions, they are much appreciated!
My other plan is to keep a golf umbrella in the car since I know that can be used to push them back on in a pinch.
My other plan is to keep a golf umbrella in the car since I know that can be used to push them back on in a pinch.

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