New member with hot starter motor problem

[monstergrowler]

Hi,
I took delivery of my TVR chimaera last week and I love it. I do seem to have a problem starting when its hot. The starter motor wont even turn over . I hear the fuel pump going but its dead. not even a click from the starter motor. I first thought it was the immobiliser but it only does it when it hot and the immobilers cuts the fuel as well when it is active. Seeing I can hear the fuel pump going I have deduced it must be the starter motor. Bad earth or sticky solinoid maybe?
Can anyone offer any advice or have heard of this before? I cant visably see the starter motor under the bonnet. Is it located at the back of the motor towards the bulkhead?
thanks
Clive

[GJR]

Hi Clive,

It could be the starter, mine presented the same symptoms as yours and it turned out to be the starter motor. It's located underneath the engine.

Alternatively it could be the 'hot start' issue that some TVR's suffer from. This can be sorter with a hot start kit....

http://home.btconnect.com/djbeer/id24.html

G

Edited by GJR on Saturday 15th September 17:06

[monstergrowler]

Thanks G.
I will search forum for hot start issues and look into performing this mod.

[bulldog]

I had the same problem when i first brought mine. I brought the mod wise hot start kit. Easy to fit took about an hour and half in total. Never had a problem with starting since.

[Pupp]

Wot they said, but also don't necessarily rule out the immobiliser. It cuts three circuits and the 'cuts' can fail independently.

[PRTVR]

good idea to check the voltage on the battery, I had the same problem, checked the voltage on the battery and its was 11.7v, not bad I thought, but it was enough to cause a problem when hot,
The battery was 5 years old, so replaced to be on the safe side, and the problem disappeared.


Phil

[CaptiV8ted]

Don't mess about - get the hot start kit. The wiring as standard is just not up to the task when you factor in a little heat, starter wear or weak battery. It's one of those few things that should have been done at the factory.

[bigdods]

As others have said, get the hot start kit. I'm not particularly mechanically minded but even I managed to fit it in less than 30 mins. Second thing to check is the battery (if hot start kit doesnt fix it). I had a problem where it wouldnt start from cold until I had turned the key a few times, then it would start ok..then wouldnt start when hot. Not only did I have the hot start problem but turns out the battery produced virtually no amps when stone cold, worked ok when warmed by trying to draw current (hence it started after a few goes) then when warm (after a run) the battery again produced virtually no amps.

Having said the above, it sounds like the bog standard hot start problem, cheap as chips and easy to fix

[monstergrowler]

Thanks all. I must confess I hadnt even considered the battery. I figured that it was not a battery issue as it had started fine from cold.

I must get it checked /charged. I do have an optimate charger but have not fitted yet because the terminal holes on my lead were not as large as the battery screws.

[Flintstone]

I'll bet you a beer the hot start kit cures it.

[nikman]

Flintstone said:

I'll bet you a beer the hot start kit cures it.

Me too!! Though I'm not sure about bombing down to Devon to collect when we're proved right!

[monstergrowler]

If you guys are right. I'll have a beer lined up when you pop down this neck of the woods.

[nikman]

Look, when you have the problem, does everything return to normal after about 10 - 15 minutes of cooling down? Bet it does!! And if so here's that hot start kit http://home.btconnect.com/djbeer/id32.html

That's what's known as recommending a Beer to earn a beer.... geddit??

[CaptiV8ted]

monstergrowler said:

I do have an optimate charger but have not fitted yet because the terminal holes on my lead were not as large as the battery screws.

You can get a ciggy lighter attachment and plug it in there - very convenient.

[theaxe]

More info on the hotstart kit...

[nikman]

theaxe said:

More info on the hotstart kit...

That extract from Chimaerapages.com is what is supplied with the Mod-Wise kit as fitting instructions!!

[edtvr]

I had exactly the same symtoms, identical!!
I fitted the hot start mod and have never had the problem again.
If it was the battery you would know as when it does start it would be turning over slower.
IMHO don't muck about just fit the modwise relay.

Ed