a day that sums up owning a TVR :D
Discussion
well it was my 1st nice day that I had a bit of time to actually get out in my new chim with the top down and go see some family and friends.
Along the 30mile long trip I took the scenic routes and just giggled like a little school girl all the way along constantly teasing the loud pedal, people constantly looking, windows being wound down and a few waves from the girls will always put a smile on your face even without the sound track!
Then as winding round straightened out there sat in front of me was car after car, one by one, picked off with ease, the torque off these V8s are just awesome, but I have to say the 430 revs SO smoothly, has to be one of the smoothest V8's I've driven.
Got to some friends, everyone loving the car, wanting a ride out etc (I'm sure you lot are use to it by now)even my dad was impressed and he hates cars! There certainly is a 'love' for TVR's within everyone I think. got a few snaps and just generally really enjoyed my day driving it.
Then.........
went to leave my dads and car wont turn over - hmmmmmm hot start issue? I'll leave it for 5 mins, then 10 mins, then start getting worried, ended up managing to Jump start it within 2m on the heavily sloped driveway before hitting his car and got home, left it cool and still wont turn over, fuel pump primes but just no click or anything from the starter motor, even after rocking it in gear, so that will need a spot of investigation tomorrow/when its not pissing it down! It is abit of a thorn in what has been a lovley day out in my new Tiv and I still love it, I know it wont be anything major, wireing or starter, I'm sure I will figure it out.
anyway heres a few snaps that i Got today, needs a bloody good mop over and a good clean inside but other than that its a very well kept 430 with 54K on the clock with stacks of history. dont plan on doing much just yet to it as funds a tight as I want to get it down to Italy in June, but i Think silicone hose the engine bay ready for Italy, then next year Id love to get a straight through exhaust on, big brake upgrade and some spider alloys on, aswell as maybe some tuscan seats but just a good Detail will be the main thing this year!
comments appreciated!




Along the 30mile long trip I took the scenic routes and just giggled like a little school girl all the way along constantly teasing the loud pedal, people constantly looking, windows being wound down and a few waves from the girls will always put a smile on your face even without the sound track!
Then as winding round straightened out there sat in front of me was car after car, one by one, picked off with ease, the torque off these V8s are just awesome, but I have to say the 430 revs SO smoothly, has to be one of the smoothest V8's I've driven.
Got to some friends, everyone loving the car, wanting a ride out etc (I'm sure you lot are use to it by now)even my dad was impressed and he hates cars! There certainly is a 'love' for TVR's within everyone I think. got a few snaps and just generally really enjoyed my day driving it.
Then.........
went to leave my dads and car wont turn over - hmmmmmm hot start issue? I'll leave it for 5 mins, then 10 mins, then start getting worried, ended up managing to Jump start it within 2m on the heavily sloped driveway before hitting his car and got home, left it cool and still wont turn over, fuel pump primes but just no click or anything from the starter motor, even after rocking it in gear, so that will need a spot of investigation tomorrow/when its not pissing it down! It is abit of a thorn in what has been a lovley day out in my new Tiv and I still love it, I know it wont be anything major, wireing or starter, I'm sure I will figure it out.
anyway heres a few snaps that i Got today, needs a bloody good mop over and a good clean inside but other than that its a very well kept 430 with 54K on the clock with stacks of history. dont plan on doing much just yet to it as funds a tight as I want to get it down to Italy in June, but i Think silicone hose the engine bay ready for Italy, then next year Id love to get a straight through exhaust on, big brake upgrade and some spider alloys on, aswell as maybe some tuscan seats but just a good Detail will be the main thing this year!
comments appreciated!




Edited by JonyTVR on Saturday 12th February 20:11
Edited by JonyTVR on Saturday 12th February 20:20
yes! already seen it, would love it, BUT I plan on taking the car to Italy in June for 2 weeks, Plus my brothers wedding in June/July, Plus a holiday in September then my sister has decided on getting married in Sri Lanka so I just don't have the cash until next year, plus all 4 tyres I have at the moment have loads of tread left so will burn all that off and when I'm due 4 new tyres I'll get rid of the after market horrible wheels and do the upgrade.
I was going to come down to stoneliegh today as it isn't that far away, but ended up with work in the morning
ended up a nice day for it!
I was going to come down to stoneliegh today as it isn't that far away, but ended up with work in the morning
ended up a nice day for it!- plus i think I'd want the larger spider alloys........mmmmmmmmmm *drools*
Edited by JonyTVR on Saturday 12th February 20:34
peaktorque said:
I'm glad you said that, I'm too polite to mention the aesthetic displeasure of those wheels 
Very nice example you have there, enjoy!
haha yes they arnt great are they, seen a lot worse though, like I said though whilst they have 4 good tyres on they will do, scrub them off in a day round Donnington I'm sure 
Very nice example you have there, enjoy!

Good news as well is that the non starter issue is just the hot start problem, been out now and it started straight up, so will get a kit ordered and fitted sharpish!
I had a complete new Meta Alarm system fitted a few days ago by Carl Baker. He told me the "hot start" problem was partly due to the Meta Alarm being incorrectly fitted and wired up in the later Chim models. The Starter solenoid goes through the immobiliser in these models but was wired in reverse! Also the wiring was not really up to the job. However i believe yours is an earlier model (like mine) and this was probably fitted with a TVR/Gemini alarm system. The Starter Solenoid did NOT go through the immobiliser and Carl assures me that there is not a "hot start" problem with these models (even though i have a few of the same problems! I wondered if the ignition switch might be to blame? Carl said not, though as there is no relay to the solenoid in the earlier cars, the full current of the solenoid goes through the switch which by now is old and will have (hopefully) started the car many thousands of times? A new switch is cheap so i may replace. My starter motor is already new.
captaintact said:
I had a complete new Meta Alarm system fitted a few days ago by Carl Baker. He told me the "hot start" problem was partly due to the Meta Alarm being incorrectly fitted and wired up in the later Chim models. The Starter solenoid goes through the immobiliser in these models but was wired in reverse! Also the wiring was not really up to the job. However i believe yours is an earlier model (like mine) and this was probably fitted with a TVR/Gemini alarm system. The Starter Solenoid did NOT go through the immobiliser and Carl assures me that there is not a "hot start" problem with these models (even though i have a few of the same problems! I wondered if the ignition switch might be to blame? Carl said not, though as there is no relay to the solenoid in the earlier cars, the full current of the solenoid goes through the switch which by now is old and will have (hopefully) started the car many thousands of times? A new switch is cheap so i may replace. My starter motor is already new.
That particular switch(correct Vauxhall) is prone to failure even on the models it originated from,changed more of these over the years than I care to remember
in worst cases it burned out the starter motor where it failed in the crank position
so what chance as it got of being reliable in the TVR when it is juicing a bigger solenoid,just out of interest on the Vauxhall there was no relay in the circuit either
if the hot start relay kit is fitted to later cars with the Meta system then weather the Meta immobiliser relay is back to front or not it will prolong the Meta immobiliser control unit anyway,Carl Baker knows this system well as I understand it
I had the small brakes too when I purchased mine 
Edited by Simon says on Saturday 12th February 21:35
well the car has an after market Toad alarm fitted, havent seen any other kind of immob or security device anywhere yet, though not had chance to properly look over it. It has done it once or twice before when its been hot after a run but usualy leave for 60 secs or just keep trying the key and it suddenly goes again, this time I waited a good half hour and it wouldnt budge, but now is fine again?? all the earths have been cleaned recently and I believe the starter to be in good nick, also has a brand new battery on.
The run prior to the issue was quite a spirited one and probably the hardest I've driven it yet so maybe just had that bit more heat under the bonnet to effect the solinoid? I'm not totaly clued up about the hot start problem yet I'm just reading through the previosu threads so will have a gander at the electrics some point soon, in the mean time I will just carry on enjoying it as much as I can
The run prior to the issue was quite a spirited one and probably the hardest I've driven it yet so maybe just had that bit more heat under the bonnet to effect the solinoid? I'm not totaly clued up about the hot start problem yet I'm just reading through the previosu threads so will have a gander at the electrics some point soon, in the mean time I will just carry on enjoying it as much as I can

Sounds like the starter motor is on it's way out. Happened on my old Griff 500 and is/was quite common. The extreme under bonnet temps cause the solenoid contacts to decay or something and stick eventually hence no click or turn over. Mine would start cold but not hot and it slowly got worse. I'd need to turn the key several times trying to tempt it into life. A tap with a rubber hammer or some such can free the contacts sometimes.
Not too expensive to replace if so
Not too expensive to replace if so

M3333 said:
Looking good mate, love the interior - cant wait to see it in the flesh again! Not a bad motor for 23 eh!!!
Have put the wedge battery on charge today, we will have to get them together for a blat soon.
Enjoy chap.
hold your horses I'm not 23 yet you old codger :P Have put the wedge battery on charge today, we will have to get them together for a blat soon.
Enjoy chap.

Cant wait to hear the 2 going up the hardknott pass!
JonyTVR said:
hold your horses I'm not 23 yet you old codger :P
Cant wait to hear the 2 going up the hardknott pass!
haha. Less of the old codger im only 30 in 2 months Cant wait to hear the 2 going up the hardknott pass!
and you will be requiring my tow rope at some point 
Yup - will be awesome to contribute a little to global warming up the hardnott and italy!!
Great Colour yes, love the colour. If you make it down end of the month & the weather holds out I'll take you to that spot if you've got time (half hour from Swansea). 
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&am...


http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&am...


Edited by pwd95 on Monday 14th February 00:21
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff








