Chimaera - niggles, sort or tollerate?
Chimaera - niggles, sort or tollerate?
Author
Discussion

tvrforever

Original Poster:

3,196 posts

296 months

Sunday 29th June 2008
quotequote all
Ok so I've had my current '98 Chimaera for 6yrs and very happy with it but over time it's developed a few small niggles, are these easy or expensive/difficult to fix :-

1) Window gap - the passenger window has a gap at the front on about 1/2cm (ie window doesn't close level to roof panel) and makes a whistle noise at speed.

2) Central locking 'chatter' - when going over bumps or rough roads the central locking disengages and re-engages, sometimes many times a second

3) Roof rubbers - both central panel sides rubbers keep sliding / stretching, and the seal on the back hood has now torn where it meets the drivers window

4) Slight hesitation at 3.2k rpm under load - had a Mark Adams full work over 5yrs ago and excellent services ever since, but slight hesitation at 3.2k for 1/2 second or so

5) Fuel gauge erratic behaviour when tank aboe 3/4s full - started about a month ago and will cycle between empty, full and any other value until the tank becomes less full

6) Starter clicking but not turning when trying to start after being on trickle charge (via lighter socket) in garage - never any problem when starting after

Any thoughts?

PurpleV8

137 posts

247 months

Sunday 29th June 2008
quotequote all
I can help with 1, 2 and 6. For 3 just get some new seals from any of the usual sources.

1. To adjust the window stop height, there is an adjustment screw. Lower the window fully and look down into the door between the inner trim panel and the door about mid way front to rear and you will find a screw head (Can’t remember which side of the glass). This adjusts the glass stop height.

2. Central locking chatter. This is usually caused by the door courtesy light switch being activated as you go over bumps. Check the door is closed properly, if so the door and or switch will need adjustment to stop it operating due to vibration etc,

6. Seem to remember reading that the cigarette lighter is fed by a switched feed and is disconnected when the key is removed or may the car is locked. This could be your problem.

Good luck

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

32,039 posts

266 months

Sunday 29th June 2008
quotequote all
PurpleV8 said:
,

6. Seem to remember reading that the cigarette lighter is fed by a switched feed and is disconnected when the key is removed or may the car is locked. This could be your problem.

Good luck
Not on any of mine. Constant live.

nutsytvr

621 posts

229 months

Sunday 29th June 2008
quotequote all
In respect of (2) - the courtesy light is operated by a plunger on the door. This problem occurs when the plunger is not fully pushed in when the door meets the sill. I solved it by sticking a piece of rubber to the sill with superglue at the point where the plunger meets the sill. Its worked for the last 5 years.

Nutsy TVR

bigdods

7,175 posts

258 months

Sunday 29th June 2008
quotequote all
Item 1 - I had something similar, turned out the internals holding the glass in place had come unbolted and were floating inside the door hence the glass going up at odd angles. IIRC it cost me about an hours labour at an indie to get it all put back together.

Red V8

873 posts

258 months

Monday 30th June 2008
quotequote all
6... I think trickle charger is coincedental... more likely early signs of solenoid sticking/starter problems (mine does this intermittently, but so far starts okay second turn... I decided to leave mine a while longer and see if it gets any worse)

Edited by Red V8 on Monday 30th June 00:23