Why won't it start??

[MikeGF]

Hoping someone can help me urgently!!

I have a 96 P 4L Chimaera. Been out and about today no problem..

Just went out to start it, primed it as usual, fine. When I turn the key, nothing. Engine doesn't turn over, no noise from the starter motor, nothing. atteries fully charged.

Can anyone help? I am supposed to be out in it tommorow

Cheers
Mike

[TheHobbit]

MikeGF said:

Hoping someone can help me urgently!! I have a 96 P 4L Chimaera. Been out and about today no problem.. Just went out to start it, primed it as usual, fine. When I turn the key, nothing. Engine doesn't turn over, no noise from the starter motor, nothing. atteries fully charged. Can anyone help? I am supposed to be out in it tommorow Cheers Mike

immobiliser? is the little red immobiliser led flashing?

[Big Al.]

Was/is the engine HOT or COLD?

[MikeGF]

Immobiliser off. No flashing light.

Engine not hot, took a 20 minute drive home in free flowing traffic, then left for 30 mins?

please help..

[Big Al.]

Soory, Don't mean is the engine overheated! just is it hot? as per been using it?

[MikeGF]

Big Al, nope, not overheating, was running at normal temp. then left for 30 mins or so.

Searching the archives says, as there is no solenoid switch, could be the starter motor?

[Big Al.]

Hello mate, reason I asked. Similar thing happend to me. Parked when shopping came back tried to start it all lights blazing BUT that's all nothing else!

I now know that it was a typical "Hot start" problem.
Opened the bonnet left it to cool down for 15 mins. Turned key and hey presto, home shortly after.

[MikeGF]

Big Al. I am pretty sure it is not a starting from hot problem as the engine is cold.

Tried all the things in the bible, started with lights on (no dimming in lights when key turned), put in gear and rocked to see if it was the starter motor, no clicking, no noise, no nothing. Primes fine. Think Racing Green might be getting some cash....

[Big Al.]

Sorry Mike, out of my depth now...see what other suggestions come in this evening.

[Ballistic Banana]

Theres a 40A Fuse near the starter that may have blown. its In a black holder normally cable tied to the Chassis near starter. could be that, its the alternator fuse so you may of flattend your battery.

BB

>> Edited by Ballistic Banana on Friday 9th January 19:25

[MikeGF]

Thanks BB. Battery seems fine though, all lights are bright, not dim. No dimming when I start the car. Will check the fuse though, will try and get under the car tonight, but probably tomorrow, but no jack or axle stands which is a pain.

[Rako]

Mike

Sounds like the ignition switch to me......

Email me though me profile and have a chat, as I'm in Fleet!

Cheers

Ian

[T88CAN]

Hi Mike my Chim did this on a couple of occasions don`t know why!! all i did was get out of car , plip the locks ,leave for 5 mins and hey presto car would start!! very infuriating but typical TVR i`m afraid good luck Tony

[5ltr-chim]

The starter motor can take more than 30 minutes to cool. Mine used to take 1hour and after I heat wrapped it it took 2 hours.

Without doing anything else try again after a longer interval. If that fails check the connections to it primarily the lucas spade connector.

[YIW1393]

Same thing has happened to me twice (98 4L.) I think the immobiliser can get 'confused'. It's not very dignified, but it will bump start (assume you have the fuel pump priming,etc and all the lights on the dash) After it's started it's been fine ever since. Did you get out, lock get back in, immobilise, lock, get out sort of thing? You know when you get in but don't turn the key quick enough and the immobiliser kicks in and you inadvertantly lock the car again with you in it?

It happened to me on the way to France on a booze cruise - getting a bump start from HMC+E is not the way to get on board the ferry!!!

[MikeGF]

Hi All

Many thanks for your replys. Sorry for not replying sooner, had a problem with my dial up at the weekend !!

Anyway, left the car overnight Friday, phoned up Racing Green Saturday for some advice, they say it is the starter or solenoid switch. So, I phone the AA to see if they can tow me in. Yes, so all fine there. So, I take the car cover off, and think "I will just try it once..." fired up first time. No problems, no splutters no nothing!! Then stopped/started 5 times in a row. Anyway, drove it to Racing Green and they are going to play around with it for a few days to see if they can find the problem.

Part of the fun of owning a TVR

[T88CAN]

MikeGF said:

Hi All Many thanks for your replys. Sorry for not replying sooner, had a problem with my dial up at the weekend !! Anyway, left the car overnight Friday, phoned up Racing Green Saturday for some advice, they say it is the starter or solenoid switch. So, I phone the AA to see if they can tow me in. Yes, so all fine there. So, I take the car cover off, and think "I will just try it once..." fired up first time. No problems, no splutters no nothing!! Then stopped/started 5 times in a row. Anyway, drove it to Racing Green and they are going to play around with it for a few days to see if they can find the problem. Part of the fun of owning a TVR

Result they probably won`t find out what it was due to it being an intermitant fault as i said twice in nearly 2 years it never did it after changing the plip battery though

[MikeGF]

T88CAN - You are right, they can't find the fault. Tested the starter solenoid etc. all fine. Tested the plipper etc all fine, fiddled around with wires and checked fuses. One of those things

Still, at least it is getting a free wash from Racing Green

[Podie]

MikeGF said:

Hoping someone can help me urgently!! I have a 96 P 4L Chimaera. Been out and about today no problem.. Just went out to start it, primed it as usual, fine. When I turn the key, nothing. Engine doesn't turn over, no noise from the starter motor, nothing. atteries fully charged. Can anyone help? I am supposed to be out in it tommorow Cheers Mike

Mail ZZR1200... he had a problem recently... think it was the rotor arm...!

www.pistonheads.com/members/showProfile.asp?memberId=24088

>> Edited by Podie on Monday 12th January 16:25

[T88CAN]

MikeGF said:

Still, at least it is getting a free wash from Racing Green

Aswell as no bill