Why wont it start!!!!!

Why wont it start!!!!!

Author
Discussion

Tiggsy

Original Poster:

10,261 posts

253 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
ok, im now very wet having walked the last mile to work!

stopped at the sarnie shop- got in the car....wont start?

all dash lights up like it should- pump whirs away but no sign of the started doing anything (as though the imobilisers on- clifford says it isnt as the dash lights dont show if the alarms at fault)

RAC on the way but any ideas?

bobski

1,589 posts

265 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
I know it's a bit cheeky (in this weather) to ask if the starter got a bit hot? Did you just try it once or did you leave it say 15min to cool - yep - I know it's a problem that's really exclusive to hot days and traffic but ya never know! Good luck and lets us know asap!


ok, im now very wet having walked the last mile to work!

stopped at the sarnie shop- got in the car....wont start?

all dash lights up like it should- pump whirs away but no sign of the started doing anything (as though the imobilisers on- clifford says it isnt as the dash lights dont show if the alarms at fault)

RAC on the way but any ideas?

bobski

1,589 posts

265 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
Plus it could be a fuse/relay issue . .

.Mark

11,104 posts

277 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
Could it be the guys from Mosler hunted you down

hut49

3,544 posts

263 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
Do the lights go dim/go out when you try to turn the engine over? If so probably battery knackered. Otherwise I agree that it's likely to be a starter malfunction caused by heat and/or the fuse has blown or there's a poor earth contact.

If the starter works when it cools down you know you need a recon one and it's a good idea to protect this with a heat shield/insulation wrap. Hopefully Mr RAC will find this an easy one to diagnose and fix.

Tiggsy

Original Poster:

10,261 posts

253 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
im back!

ok- RAC call and say they are 10 mins away...so i walk back to car get in it try it....it starts!

so call RAC and say....sorrrrrrry!

so why did it do that then?

flippin TVR...should have got a mondeo!

sagalout

17,901 posts

283 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
Agree with .Mark. It's the Mosler boys out to get you!

GreenV8S

30,214 posts

285 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
Sounds like a knackered starter motor, the heat seems to kill them over time. Will probably come back to life when it cools off, but it'll keep getting worse and worse until you replace the starter motor. If you get a heat shield fitted to the replacement it will last longer.

Big Al.

68,879 posts

259 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
Hi, exactly the same problem a month ago for me. All lights and gauges working, won't start, B*ll*x!

So a quick call to Brian @ Fernies and he said sounds like a typical HOT START problem to me.
He advised open the bonnet for 10 minutes and try again.
I did exactly that, and she fired first time.

Resolution to problem "new started motor" this has been replaced now and no hot start problems have been encountered since.

victormeldrew

8,293 posts

278 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
... but they will return! Best to fit a heat shield while you replace the starter motor. Mod-wise do a kit, but heat shielding is commonly available from the likes of Demon Tweeks.

Tiggsy

Original Poster:

10,261 posts

253 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
ok- so if its starter why didnt it do it after a thrash in the sunshine but does do it on a poddle to work in the rain? or am i asking too much to expect normality from a TVR!

and how much is a new s/motor fitted...ish?

gixxer1000

786 posts

253 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all
I had exactly the same problem with my Chim. It only happened when the car was very hot. It always restarted after leaving it for 5-10 mins. None of the usual starter motor failing signs were there (i.e. thrashing but failing to catch).

It's definitely something heating up to the point that it doesn't want to play anymore, and cooling down enough in 5-10 mins to be fine again.

Big Al.

68,879 posts

259 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all

Tiggsy said: how much is a new s/motor fitted...ish?


Nope! done under warranty.
Sorry.


>> Edited by Big Al. (moderator) on Friday 16th May 20:13

Ballistic Banana

14,698 posts

268 months

Friday 16th May 2003
quotequote all

Tiggsy said: ok- so if its starter why didnt it do it after a thrash in the sunshine but does do it on a poddle to work in the rain? or am i asking too much to expect normality from a TVR!

and how much is a new s/motor fitted...ish?


Err not enough air flow when poodling i am afraid,cold or not these engine bays get damn hot.
When tanking along theres seems to be enough airflow, but believe me even after a while even that will not be enough.
new or recon one with heat shield shoul dmake it last longer.


BB

bsdnazz

762 posts

254 months

Saturday 17th May 2003
quotequote all
Reading the bible II there is mention of the starter motor solenoid overheating and jamming which stops power getting to the starter motor.

We had a hot start failure at the weekend. 10mins with the bonnet up and she fired up again.

david beer

3,982 posts

268 months

Saturday 17th May 2003
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When poodling around have half speed fans on, keeps the engine bay nice and cool and makes you cooler as well.

helipilot

303 posts

254 months

Saturday 17th May 2003
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I had exactly the same happen to me about 2 months ago. I asked for advice on here and was told the same as what you have. What was suggested to me was to clean the solenoid connector. I have not had a problem with mine since.

Nick P

29,977 posts

252 months

Sunday 18th May 2003
quotequote all
i had the same thing too...starter motor was what i was told too....luckily it hasnt happened for the last two months....