Immobiliser problem- Help!

[tvr keith]

2000 450 Chim
Took the Chim out today going perfectly. Stopped because my good lady had spotted a Mr Wippy ice cream van.
Fifteen minutes later it would not start. Fuel pump not priming, starter not doing anything. Everything else worked,central locking windows, heater fan, headlamps.
Battery definitely not duff.
Tried locking/unlocking, could not turn off the immobiliser.
Tried putting the non plip thingy in the recess on the steering shroud and it did stop the adjacent red LED flashing suggesting immobiliser now turned off, but still no fuel pump or starter.
Called the RAC and booked a rescue, tried it again and it started!
Ran perfectly all the way home. Now its in my garage I have tried to reproduce the fault to no avail. Could it be a faulty plipper or plipper battery?
When I was out I didn't have the spare one to try. If there is any doubt about the plipper batery I'll change them both, don't need this sort of problem.
Anyone any ideas please,
Keith

[mrsflipflopgriff]

Not sure if it may be the immobiliser on its last legs but call Carl Baker (www.tvruk.tv) and he may be able to help. Battery change in blippers every 12 months. About £5 for all 4.
FFG

[paulathome]

Hi Keith sounds like the old hot start problem to me.
My Chim 1998 4.0l does not isolate the starter when the imobiliser is activated.
The starter spins but the engine wont start. (Meta alarm fitted)
Also once the fuel pump is up to pressure probably wont be audible.
Take a bloody great spanner with you next time and give the starter motor a prod and that might
make it come back to life.
Seriously though, sounds like the starter wants looking at or the modwise kit needs installing.
Check all the large cables from battery to starter motor and make sure all connections are
tight and corrosion free and the small wire to the solonoid is OK.
Let me know how you get on.
Cheers Paul.

[the gazman]

Exactly the same thing happened to me Saturday on the M6, stuck in traffic because of accident, switched off engine, traffic started to move and the car wouldn't start, it was dead.
I called the RAC as well but after 15 minutes the car started and was fine the rest of the day.
I'm going to have a word with David Beer at Modwise tomorrow.

[tvr keith]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the replies.
This is definitely not the hot start problem. I experienced that in very hot weather last summer. The fuel pump would prime but no action from the starter. 15 minutes later with the bonnet up it had cooled down a bit and started.
This time was different. No fuel pump or starter. Also the red LED's were not going out when I used the plip although it would operate the central locking. I can always hear my pump priming even if it has been primed a few seconds before.
I wish I could get the fault back again now its home and in the garage, I don't want this to happen every time I stop for coffee/ice cream/petrol
Keith

[tvr keith]

Just spoken to Dream Machines where I got the car from, they have had this problem before, almost certain that it's a new immobilliser unit needed. I must say that Richard down there certainly knows his TVR's and is most helpful.
This will be done under the used car warranty so that should sort that out. The only problem is that it's a two week wait until they can do it.
Do I,
a, leave the car in my garage, admire/polish it and not break down
or
b, Take it out and keep it running until I get back, oh s**t, I've only got half a tank of petrol
Keith

[FlipFlopGriff]

If it's alarm related then I ewouldn't let anyone other than Carl Baker touch it. Can you get Carl to do it an invoice DM? Dm probably sub it to Carl anyway.
FFG

[jaybee747]

Just a thought as I had the same problem a couple of weeks ago. The batteries in my blipper were on their last legs. Quite embarrassing in car parks etc. I used my spare blipper and has been fine since but not tried my original one since putting new batteries in to it. Hope this is just the case.