intermittent starting problem
Discussion
Hi All,
Firstly a big thanks to all you regular PHers. I wouldn't have bought a Chimaera (from a PH ad) without all the info and advice I'd seen on here (plus got the 'bible', thanks Steve!) . Its been fantastic fun so far, and any small niggles (e.g door buttons freezing), or questions have been rapidly solved from a quick glance through the forum archives.
However.. It's just decided that intermittently it will fail to start. I thought it was damp to start with, so sealed the usual bits with 'damp start', but that hasn't solved it. Basically when it doesn't want to start, the fuel pump primes ok (so not an immobiliser problem), the engine turns over fine (not a starter or battery problem then), but none of the cylinders are firing at all. So, my assumption is that no spark is being generated. I've checked and rechecked the HT lead connections (dry as a bone and pushed on tight), plus the 4 electrical connections into the coil, but nothing helps. I'm leaving plenty of time between starting attempts to avoid flooding, but after a period of time of maybe half an hour, it will then start immediately. Someone has mentioned that there is a sensor on the engine that detects when it's turning over, and this 'tells' the coil to generate a charge, and this might be faulty?) Also, its happening when cold (not the starter overheating then!), and I am now COMPLETELY at a loss. I've trawled the archives, and can't think what else it might be.
HELP!! Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
PS [edited to say I released the fuel cap as well, and there was a small hiss, but not much, so I don't think there was a vacuum stopping fuel flow to the engine]
>>> Edited by greenink on Sunday 19th January 22:47
Firstly a big thanks to all you regular PHers. I wouldn't have bought a Chimaera (from a PH ad) without all the info and advice I'd seen on here (plus got the 'bible', thanks Steve!) . Its been fantastic fun so far, and any small niggles (e.g door buttons freezing), or questions have been rapidly solved from a quick glance through the forum archives.
However.. It's just decided that intermittently it will fail to start. I thought it was damp to start with, so sealed the usual bits with 'damp start', but that hasn't solved it. Basically when it doesn't want to start, the fuel pump primes ok (so not an immobiliser problem), the engine turns over fine (not a starter or battery problem then), but none of the cylinders are firing at all. So, my assumption is that no spark is being generated. I've checked and rechecked the HT lead connections (dry as a bone and pushed on tight), plus the 4 electrical connections into the coil, but nothing helps. I'm leaving plenty of time between starting attempts to avoid flooding, but after a period of time of maybe half an hour, it will then start immediately. Someone has mentioned that there is a sensor on the engine that detects when it's turning over, and this 'tells' the coil to generate a charge, and this might be faulty?) Also, its happening when cold (not the starter overheating then!), and I am now COMPLETELY at a loss. I've trawled the archives, and can't think what else it might be.
HELP!! Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
PS [edited to say I released the fuel cap as well, and there was a small hiss, but not much, so I don't think there was a vacuum stopping fuel flow to the engine]
>>> Edited by greenink on Sunday 19th January 22:47
Peter - I've now seen this exact fault on a couple of cars (exact from your descrption, anyhow). In both cases the ECU has not been resetting itself properly between ignitions - a trip to your local dealer will sort it out - unfortunately you need the diagnostic equipment. You could try taking the ECU out and refitting it yourself if u feel like it. If it is this - and it DOES sound like it 
- it's not a serious problem, but ask 'Mickinthenorth' (see profile) for more info. About 100 quid if you go to a TVR dealer, or a bit less. Hope this helps, T
- it's not a serious problem, but ask 'Mickinthenorth' (see profile) for more info. About 100 quid if you go to a TVR dealer, or a bit less. Hope this helps, TAgree with Steve, could just as easily be a weak spark, I'd take each HT lead and give each end a good squirt with WD40 or a spray grease (or copperslip or vaseline (be more sparing though)) Also take off the dizzy cap and clean in there (bit of WD40 and a rag) check there isn't a lot of wear on the rotor arm, lazy people won't change this on a service
Could be similar to my teething problems, although I think my main problem (not ticking over when started from hot), was cured by cleaning the stepper motor.
The other problem (the one when Tantivy was sat in the passenger seat expecting a ride out to compare my car to his!) was more of an ECU/fuel system problem. On starting from cold, it turned over a bit, tried to catch, sounded pretty awfull, and stalled. When it did catch had to be kept at 3000 revs for a couple of mins in order to keep ticking over.
I took it to HHC, where Richard cleaned the stepper motor, adjusted the timing and reset the base idle speed. He also put in a fuel system additive to clean the fuel system out - no idea what, it only cost £8.40 on the bill so I'm not complaining.
That was it sorted - 101 squids well spent in my opinion. If I'd had it longer, I would have had a go at the stepper myself, but I wanted someone in the know to check it over first (having bought it el cheapo from a VW dealers forcourt!). The checkover revealed a couple of other things, including the fact that I have the 'wrong' sort of battery.
Hmmm
Anyway don't know if this is the same sort of problem or not.
Edited because I'm stupid
>> Edited by TheInebriate on Monday 20th January 23:30
The other problem (the one when Tantivy was sat in the passenger seat expecting a ride out to compare my car to his!) was more of an ECU/fuel system problem. On starting from cold, it turned over a bit, tried to catch, sounded pretty awfull, and stalled. When it did catch had to be kept at 3000 revs for a couple of mins in order to keep ticking over.
I took it to HHC, where Richard cleaned the stepper motor, adjusted the timing and reset the base idle speed. He also put in a fuel system additive to clean the fuel system out - no idea what, it only cost £8.40 on the bill so I'm not complaining.
That was it sorted - 101 squids well spent in my opinion. If I'd had it longer, I would have had a go at the stepper myself, but I wanted someone in the know to check it over first (having bought it el cheapo from a VW dealers forcourt!). The checkover revealed a couple of other things, including the fact that I have the 'wrong' sort of battery.
Hmmm
Anyway don't know if this is the same sort of problem or not.
Edited because I'm stupid
>> Edited by TheInebriate on Monday 20th January 23:30
Hi,
Well the next time it happened, I WD40'd the HT lead ends and also inside the distributor using a rag, and it started immediately, and has (fingers crossed) been 100% since!!
So, thanks for the ideas, I am pretty sure now that it must have been damp related, most probably damp inside the distributor itself.
The Covercraft cover I ordered has now turned up, so it should be nice and snug from now on!
Well the next time it happened, I WD40'd the HT lead ends and also inside the distributor using a rag, and it started immediately, and has (fingers crossed) been 100% since!!
So, thanks for the ideas, I am pretty sure now that it must have been damp related, most probably damp inside the distributor itself.
The Covercraft cover I ordered has now turned up, so it should be nice and snug from now on!
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