Starting problem

[frottage]

intermittantly I can stop my chim and then when I come to re-start you turn off the immobiliser and the fuel pump starts plus all lights come on, but turning the key does nothing at all its just dead there is not even the slightest sign of life. I then need to bump start to get her going - she comes to life with the slightest of bumps.

My question is, is this a standard Chimaera fault ? Is it a stuck starter motor ? Should I just replace the starter and solanoid ? Could it be dodgy wiring to the starter ?

The fault is completely intermittant - it can be fine for a few days and then occur 4 times in a day

Any thoughts guys ?

[HRG]

Easiest way to be certain of your diagnosis is to pop a multimeter in the car and then the next time it happens put it on the starter solenoid terminal and earth and see if you get 12V. If you do the fault is categorically the starter/solenoid. I would say it's the most likely cause of the problem. If you don't get 12V then it's somewhere further back up the circuit.

Sometimes tapping the solenoid with a small hammer or rocking the car in gear can free it to get you going.

[Ubernoober]

this could be the 'hot start' problem. Fairly common especially in warmer weather - invest in a hot-start kit (availlable from mod-Wise) - fixes the issue straight away. had the same issue myself - a tad embarrassing waithing 10 mins for the engine compartment to cool sufficiently.

I believe the root cause is the standard TVR wiring not being able to handle the current when it gets hot (doesn't resistance increase with heat anyway??)

[bsdnazz]

frottage said:

intermittantly I can stop my chim and then when I come to re-start you turn off the immobiliser and the fuel pump starts plus all lights come on, but turning the key does nothing at all its just dead there is not even the slightest sign of life. I then need to bump start to get her going - she comes to life with the slightest of bumps.

My question is, is this a standard Chimaera fault ? Is it a stuck starter motor ? Should I just replace the starter and solanoid ? Could it be dodgy wiring to the starter ?

The fault is completely intermittant - it can be fine for a few days and then occur 4 times in a day

Any thoughts guys ?

I'll pipe up with a 'that sounds like what happened to me'.

It happened to me when the car was hot or when the car was cold. If it only happens when the car is hot then it does sound
like the hot start problem. Basically, the starter motor gets cooked because of it's location.

If you get the problem hot or cold then it could be an immobiliser problem. There are relays in the immobiliser that need to close to enable the fuel pump and starter motor. What worked for me (prior to replacing the immobiliser) was to slap the underside of the passenger dash while holding the key in the 'crank' position. One or two slaps was all that was needed to start the car and away I went. The immobiliser is in the dash...

[frottage]

do my symptoms match the hot start problem

[HRG]

frottage said:

do my symptoms match the hot start problem

I'd say they match a perfectly normal sticky solenoid problem TBH.

[Ribol]

HRG said:

frottage said:

do my symptoms match the hot start problem

I'd say they match a perfectly normal sticky solenoid problem TBH.

I was starting to think I was the only one that subscribed to this theory.

[K4TRV]

Ribol said:

HRG said:

frottage said:

do my symptoms match the hot start problem

I'd say they match a perfectly normal sticky solenoid problem TBH.

I was starting to think I was the only one that subscribed to this theory.

Sounds favourite to me!!

My experience of solenoids/starter motors are clicking solenoids, not "silent" ones?? I did replace mine after a period of clicking but not engaging starter.

It's an easy enough job, just ensure you get the correct starter at the right price - mine came via eBay & a 4X4 site after a lot of searching - TVR prices can be silly !!

Trev McM

Edited by K4TRV on Tuesday 17th June 11:03

[m4rk]

I had starting problems for some time now. It started with hearing the solenoid click but the engine didn't turn over. I noticed my lights did dim indicating that current was being drawn. I fitted the hot start kit just in case it was that issue, although my problem happened cold or hot. The kit didn't help and just recently its gone completely dead. No clicking except for the hot start relay and my lights do not dim. I will fit a new starter motor over the weekend; for 2nd time!!

The same thing happened to me a year ago and I had to get rescued. A refurbed starter motor was fitted which seem to fix it for a while but then it started once more with a clicking solenoid but the engine does turn over eventually. After some time of 'living with it' the problem progessed to symptoms like a stuck solenoid, ie no click just silence and a call out to OAMTC (AA).

[mt10argyll]

Just be careful were you get the Starter Motor from some of the
cheaper fleabay ones are not upto the job I know from experience

Max

[frottage]

up to the job ??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RANGE-ROVER-NEW-STARTER-MOTO...

[nikman]

frottage said:

do my symptoms match the hot start problem

Well, you need to tell us whether this only happens when the car is hot. Does it? Or has it happened from cold as well? Has it ever happened then started fine after 10 minutes or so?

I had exactly the same symptoms but ONLY when hot. Bought the Mod-Wise hot start kit (for about £23.00) and bingo - job done... problem solved. It's never done it again.

Check it out here http://www.djbeer.hostingbt.com/id32.html
and a more detailed explanation with fitting notes and pictures here http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_hotstart.ph...

Hope this helps and I would certainly try it before buying a new starter motor UNLESS your symptoms also occour when cold. By the way, I would also seriously avoid bump starting your car if possible!! Nick.

[Colin L]

Ah this has also happened to me another cure or curse is

The switch on the back of the barrel, its a Vauxhall part and costs about £20. It can wear and is very easy to replace. I carry a spare.

Next time it happen, wiggle the key about, in the barrel, if it starts during this then its this part which needs replaced.

I have also found that when last in with the battery, I do it by appointment as part my Yoga routine, that the wiring which sits on top of the battery box can a bugger ie. I found a loose relay which was causing my problems. So have a look down there and this could sort you out, make sure all the relays and fuses are correctly tight and held in place right.

Another quick fix is the simple run a wire from the starter motor live contact and fix it by cable ties to the chassis, and put a nice contact with a rubber sleeve over it on one of the upper chassis rails. Then get another piece of wire and have the connecting contact (male to female) on it, make sure the wire is long enough and fit a bolt or a nail to this end and you can touch the live post on the battery. You then have a by-pass system and if the key is in and the pumps etc are all primed you should have started the engine. If this does not work, call the RAC / AA.

Hope it helps,
Colin L

[frottage]

Ive ordered the mod-wise hot start kit - fingers crossed

[nikman]

frottage said:

Ive ordered the mod-wise hot start kit - fingers crossed

That must mean that it only happened when your car was hot then. In which case this may be of some interest http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Nick