Somebody please help me!!!

[garethsm]

Just been out in my car - which I've had for less than 24 hours - before tucking it to bed for the night, and a mile from home the accelerator cable snapped! Used my momentum to carry me to a lay-by and eventually managed to limp home by jarring the throttle open under the bonnet so it revved at 2,500, but now I have the problem of getting it fixed!

Obviously I can't drive it anywhere to get replaced, so I was wondering if anyone knows of a TVR specialist near me (Herts) that has a mobile repair unit at all? It's apparently a relatively simple job - an hour or so labour - but it's whether or not someone can do it at my house. Or can anyone on here help?!

I'm despairing now - I don't have homestart cover on my AA policy, so they're no good. And I need to get to Wembley for 12noon tomorrow to be on TV!!!

I do hope that this is not a sign of things to come...

[hut49]

What a bummer! Can't begin to imagine how frustrated you must be at this moment after the emotional roller coaster your bank put you through.

Are you sure the cable's broken rather than the bolt that holds it in place having come undone and fallen off?

If the cable is broken and you can release it from either end can you join it together with a wiring terminal block? This is a neat trick and might get you back on the road for the weekend!

Don't let it put you off

Hutch

[garethsm]

Thanks Hutch - I'll be up at the break of dawn to have a proper look tomorrow.

The cable has snapped about a centimetre from the point at which it enters the bolt at the pedal end - i.e. literally just behind the pedal arm. I think I might have to rush over to Barnet TVR Centre and get a cable in the morning, then try and fix it myself... my bible is still on order, so no assistance from that either!

I'm just so frustrated and it couldn't have come at a worse time either. I can only hope that I manage to sort it out tomorrow!

[garethsm]

Does anyone know if the throttle cable is a generic part i.e. from a Rover or something? Or is it TVR specific? Other than a main dealer, any ideas of where I could get one?

[bob the planner]

If you have relay on your AA cover you could always jam the throttle again, drive a couple of miles and then call them out to get you to a dealer / independent to get it fixed.

Where is the cable snapped ? If the nipple has come off the pdal end you should be able to push the cable through a bit and use a small electrical wiring block to secure the cable as suggested in Mr Heaths Bible

I suppose if you really need to get to Wembly, there is some public transport round London (unless you need the car).

Bob

[shnozz]

sorry, cant really help with your question as I dont have a chim. however, just a word of comfort as with the S series they all do that sir! mine went whilst overtaking on a country lane when a biker came around the corner ahead of me at *** mph

but if you can source one asap tomorrow it shouldnt take more than 30 mins to fit, even if you are a virgin to it

dont know how much of a problem it is on the chim but many S owners caryy a spare in the boot

[T88CAN]

unlucky gareth had the same problem last summer in the middle of an overtaking manovuer yes it quite an easy job but you do need a large (19mm i think) spanner to disconnect at throttle end and flexy neck muscles to get in foot well to take pedal apart(makes it alot easier) the cables are normally stock items about £52
good luck and welcome to the joys of TVR ownership tony

[T88CAN]

garethsm said: Does anyone know if the throttle cable is a generic part i.e. from a Rover or something? Or is it TVR specific? Other than a main dealer, any ideas of where I could get one?

TVR Specific

[shnozz]

T88CAN said: the cables are normally stock items about £52

fcuk me! and i was thinking the costs of S ownership was not far different! A granada cable is only £15!

[T88CAN]

shnozz said:

T88CAN said: the cables are normally stock items about £52

fcuk me! and i was thinking the costs of S ownership was not far different! A granada cable is only £15!

£15 will get you the throttle cable bolt on a chim!!!!!

[duncan hermer]

bob the planner said: If you have relay on your AA cover you could always jam the throttle again, drive a couple of miles and then call them out to get you to a dealer / independent to get it fixed.

if you don't have homestart, the AA rules clearly state that you have to be just (at least) 1/4 mile from home. Whilst driving in your condition (your cars that is) must be a nightmare, in the worst case scenario 400 or so metres is a pushable distance if you have a spare mate or two!!

Good luck

[iandbeech]

Gutted for you. According to the bible (which you are getting)the cable will snap either at the throttle end or pedal end. The AA and RAC use crimp on nipples to repair (so could have got you going again)and can provide repair kits.

If you are going on that European jaunt, I suggest you take in pages 371 - 373 in the bible and do as the man says!! I don`t have any spares at all but after hearing of your problem will now do something about it.

[anonymous-user]

Castle TVR are at Stanstead.

Try them if they are closer.





>> Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 19th April 10:40

[SwanJack]

I have a land rover throttle cable on mine, slightly longer (and cheaper)than what TVR will sell you but still works fine. Thats what the independent I used told me when he fitted it for me.

[garethsm]

SwanJack said: I have a land rover throttle cable on mine, slightly longer (and cheaper)than what TVR will sell you but still works fine. Thats what the independent I used told me when he fitted it for me.

Thanks for all your help ppl - in the end I had to blag a lift down to Wembley, then managed to find a room for the night by working my charms at the after-show party, if you catch my drift!

Car is still on the drive with a floppy pedal though - I made a few calls on Saturday morning to local dealers and independents, all of whom had the cables on back order, so thanks SwanJack - I might have to go down the Landie route. Does anyone know how much longer these cables are? And should I just cut it down to TVR length before fitting if this is the case, or could I leave it longer as leeway (i.e to make it easier to adjust and re-fit without making the cable unecessarily taut) for when it next breaks?

[tbag]

TRY OFFORDS (LINK AT TOP OF PAGE )DONT KNOW IF ITS ANY HELP BUT THEY ARE VERY VERY HELPFUL TO VIRGINS(SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE)AND THEY SPEAK PLAIN ENGLISH!!!

[SwanJack]

When mine was fitted the garage routed (spl) the cable in slightly different way I think.

>> Edited by SwanJack on Tuesday 22 April 00:49

[JonRB]

hut49 said:Are you sure the cable's broken rather than the bolt that holds it in place having come undone and fallen off?

I had that happen to me not long after I got my Chimaera. You can imagine my embarrassment when the RAC man diagnosed and fixed it on the roadside.

I have since developed mechanical abilities way beyond that borderline numptyism and would now feel confident even rewiring the fans on the roadside should the wires ever feel the need to break loose again and burn through on the exhaust manifold (that happened to me too!)