Not firing up

[redkarla]

Story so far

I brought a 96 Chimp decatted + Pre cats removed. When I brought it sounded like the fuel pump was on the way out so knocked the guy down appropriately. Did 1500 miles with a very winey fuel pump but never missed a beat. Then last week it started to cut out on a short journey then died altogether after £30 of gas and 5 mins down the road. So tank was not full and had driven it every day since I got her.

Because I live in deepest darkest Dorset I got it to a local range rover specialist. Very nice guys and over the week have been very good in trying to identify the fault without incurring too much cost. They checked

Fuel Level
Gauge etc

Then agreed that fuel pressure was way down. Replaced pump great fuel pressure but just will not catch.

They have now taken the ECU out and they feel that it's the ECU that is not fueling properly could this be the case can an ECU just go! They say the ECU has been played about with and it's a "bit" damp!!! Have rang Bell Hill garage and they say it sounds plausible and buy the way a new ECU is £350. Can take mine in and look at it for £60 and repair may be around £200? They also say that if you’re running decatted you should change the resistor from 400 ohms to 500 again this is info given to me and I’m no mechanic.

Help needed as these guys are very nice but just not used them before and want my car back A.S.A.P. as it's sunny out there.

Thanks in advance

[V8 GRF]

I'd be surprised if the ECU needs replacing, it might just need resetting, but I'm sure more knowledgable people with more info and/or experience of this problem will be along shortly.

They're right about the resistor though.

[Chassis 33]

Have you tried replacing the fuel pressure regulator or at least squeezing the return line with brake line clamps to see if that alters things,ie brings the pressure up?

Regards
Iain

[redkarla]

Do you mean in an attempt to regulate the pressure? as it seams pressure is not an issue now.

They are going to check the ECU today so in terms of knocking the problems off one by one that's ok. I’m just worried that their lack of experiences with TVR's makes me a little nearvous that's all. Does anybody know of a good TVR experienced garage in Dorset for future reference?

Ta

[blitzracing]

The info you have been given about the tune resistors is wrong, and tells me that your Rangie mechanic does not really know about these ECUS. The tune resistor is under the passenger dash, in a clear plastic sleave. It has a green wire connection for non cat tune and a white for cat tune (Any car post 1992). From memory values are 400 ohms and 3.7k ohms. Dont worry about the ECU cost, a stock Range Rover one will get you going (I payed £20 off ebay). The only special bit is the fuel chip, that you can remove from your current ECU. If you want a second hand ECU try and of the same year as your current one, as they are not quite all the same, although they do all basically work.

Mark

[Chassis 33]

Doh, sorry, missed that bit.
Regards
Iain

[redkarla]

Up Date

ECU seems fine have spark and fuel. A car Sparky looked at the ECU and other parts etc and says that now just may need a change of spark plugs? I hope this does fix the problem wait and see.

Ta for info so far.

[chrispitman]

Get them to check the dizzy is not loose and moved altering the timing.

[blitzracing]

There was a case on this forum, where the car had flooded so badly it would not fire. Either heat up the old plugs with a hot air gun, or fit new ones to clear.
Mark

[350Matt]

For future ref these guys

http://www.carelect.demon.co.uk/rrp2.html

do a great job of repairing the lucas ECU, cost depends on whats wrong but its typically £60

Matt