Starting Problems

[Optim8]

Hi Guys, Got a bit of a starting mystery going on with my Griff and any ideas would be really appreciated.

About 2 months ago I went to start the car and it basically just turned over but didn't start. After about 10 minutes I gave up wih a smell of petrol looming. I left it a week and then tried it again, success it started imediately, so I went out and everything was good.

The following week, I took the car out, it started fine but this time it was running real rough like it was missing. I decided as I'd given the plugs a good soaking the week before I try replacing them. This worked a treat and again the car was running as it should.

About 2 weeks ago I went to start the car and once again it wouldn't start, same problem just turned over and over. So I left it again and this week, I've tried it again and success, it started almost first turn and runs fine.

What's going on? Cheers

[mrcosmos]

Hi,could be one of many things but first i would try a new rotor arm,could be breaking down.Is it possible to borrow one just to diagnose,also make sure it is a genuine Lucas one.Also check dizzy cap,i had similar starting problems,and 3 posts inside the cap were slightly burnt.Regards,Dave.

[DarkMatter]

I wonder if it could be the ignition amplifier module. I would check that it's not shorting on the fuel rail, then clean all connections.

[Optim8]

Thanks for your suggestions so far, I take at look at both.

[davetherave1970]

Not the same car (Cerb) but I had similar. Temp sensor was faulty, showing the ecu the engine was cold all the time and fueling for cold start. Regular smell of fuel and difficult to start when hot.

[wedgienauld]

yep: try the simple things first - now are you someone comfortable with a spanner, or not? If not then seek out an expert - does,nt have to be a TVR specialist, just a good local indie garage who can slap on their diagnostic kit and apply a systematic approach and some common sense. Could be a lamba sensor - a good gargae will be able to determine most of these malidys very quickly: once you start to replace bits of kit, using the black box approach you might be lucky but you might spend far more than you would by approaching the experts in the firts place - and still find the problem is present.
Now if you are prepared to pick up your spanners, I would do as the chappie above suggests - check inside your disi cap first. Your plugs sound as if they will now be ruined - once you've flooded them like you describe they just don,nt give 100 percent again. Whether you replace them now or after you sort this problem will depend on how old (in terms of use), they are presently.