TVR Chimaera 400 V8

[roylarder]

TVR has been garaged for 4 months. Battery went flat. Have tried to jump start from another vehicle. Won't start although the engine turns over. Problems with doors locking intermitantly, fuel gauge now not working (there is fuel in the tank!).
With the distributor cap removed and the engine turning, there is a spark from the centre brush to spark plug poles.
Someone has suggested the ECU is shutting down and requires a special module to be plugged in. Any ideas???

Edited by roylarder on Monday 5th March 20:09

[esselte]

You may get a better response if you post this on the Chim forum. (a bit further down the forum index page)

[bigdods]

This needs to be posted in the Chimaera forum...

First things first. Charge the battery. The alarm and immobiliser will have been upset by going flat, so once charged, disconnect the earth from the battery for about 10 seconds , then put it back on then immediately press the plipper to lock / unlock the doors. WIth luck you will find the alarm and immobilizer has reset and everything works ok. This will also reset the ECU.

[roylarder]

Cheers I'll try that.

[_deejay_]

Another vote for replacing the battery; a 1/2 charged battery/jump start just seems to turn the engine over on mine (and it actually sounds like it wants to start but never does).

However, when I replaced the battery it starts 1st time, no messing.

[_deejay_]

Another vote for replacing the battery; a 1/2 charged battery/jump start just seems to turn the engine over on mine (and it actually sounds like it wants to start but never does).

However, when I replaced the battery it starts 1st time, no messing.

[bigdods]

Charge the battery... not change...although it may come to that of course ;-)

[blitzracing]

The RV8 hydralic cam followers can bleed down over time,(4-6 months) so the valves dont open far enough on initial cranking. If theres any doubt, remove the spark plugs and crank it over in 20 -30 second burst (x 3 or 4) to refill the followers. Even when it starts it may still take a while to start running on all 8 pots

[blitzracing]

just an after thought if you go for the cranking option. You need to disable the fuel pump to stop the injectors putting in fuel (take out a fuse or relay), and leave the plugs on the end of the leads, but leave them earthed so they can still spark normally. This stops excessive voltages deveoping in the coil.