Griffith 4.0 1992

Griffith 4.0 1992

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Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
Hi there, looking for some guidance. My engine in the griff suddenly became underpowered and very very lumpy as if not firing on all 8 cylinders. Did the usual checks, plugs, leads ect but no success. Contacted local mobile diagnostic company who said ecu was faulty and not sending a signal to 2 & 4 injectors. Sent ecu off to ECU Testing Ltd for repair but they contacted me to say they cannot work on this type of ecu which was a surprise to me. Any ideas what my next step is as I am getting withdrawal symptoms with the griffith being off the road.

spitfire4v8

3,990 posts

180 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
Is the diagnostic guy 100 percent sure it's the ecu, if so there's good used units available.

Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for your reply. No I'm not 100% sure and that's why I was hoping to get the unit checked out before needing to purchase a replacement and then finding out the fault was still present.

Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
Any further ideas gratefully received.

davep

1,141 posts

283 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
If this is 14CUX we're talking about, look to injectors 2 and 4 for the fault since the injectors are bank fired odd and even alternatively. If the ECU is not sending a signal to 2 and 4 then 6 and 8 will be out as well.

Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
Yes, it is a 14CUX ecu. If that means 2,4,6 & 8 injectors are out would the engine run at all ? Do you know of any company that can test this type of ecu to confirm if this is indeed the fault. Thanks.

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all



Where abouts are you located, might help someone suggest someone local-ish and experienced with Rover V8's to take a look?


Should be a few second hand ECU's knocking around with some owners going for modern distributor less systems.


With my limited knowledge I can't help thinking it's probably not an ECU issue?

Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
Hi there, I'm based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire and used AA Services for a mobile diagnostic but I too am unconvinced that it's a ecu related fault. Just need a second opinion before I splash out on a replacement unit. Such a shame the griffs off the road with such cracking weather 😦

davep

1,141 posts

283 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
Your diagnostic guy found a fault on injectors 2 and 4, so I presume 6 and 8 are ok? If this is the case then the ECU is issuing the injector pulse to the even bank. Look to the respective circuits of injectors 2 and 4, or the injectors themselves.

ATP do remanufactured 14CUX ECUs, and they used to do testing but best check.

If you know a fellow TVR owner running 14CUX and willing to do a quick swap out, this will quickly eliminate the ECU as the cause.

Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
Thanks, have e mailed ATP to see if they can test the unit. Any local Griff owners willing to do a quick swop or recommend a diagnostic facility for the 14 CUX in Yorkshire.

Loubaruch

1,164 posts

197 months

Monday 15th June 2020
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Are you in the TVR Club?

There are bound to be other owners close to you with early Griffiths or Chimeras that could swap their ECUs.


Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Monday 15th June 2020
quotequote all
Thanks, will keep my fingers crossed.

PeteGriff

1,262 posts

156 months

Thursday 25th June 2020
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Hi vixenlad, have you sorted you issue yet? I have my original full working order ECU for my 430 that I keep in car as emergency spare. I bought a LR Discovery V8 14CUX and fitted a removable socket for EPROM so as I could trial programs. SteveSprint on this forum is the guru, he supplied me via email a great updated program for 430, I burnt it onto blank EPROM and fitted to Ecu. If you can pick up a 14CUX (look for Land Rover parts not TVR as they are far cheaper). I’m sure Steve would help with program and EPROM?

Regards, Pete

Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Thursday 25th June 2020
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Hi Pete, thanks for your reply. I sent the ecu to ATP Electronics a couple of days ago to get it checked out. Rang them today and they said the unit and software checks out ok so it looks as if my local mobile diagnostic man got it wrong. Problem is I have shelled out £140 with the cost of diagnostics and testing and it looks as if I will be stuck with the original problem. Will keep you posted if that's ok.

5.0ltr

2,750 posts

198 months

Thursday 25th June 2020
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Some good comments in here leading to a fix. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

blitzracing

6,387 posts

219 months

Friday 26th June 2020
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You can get "noid" light kits on eBay for not a lot for injector diags. Basically they plug into the injector and flash as they pulse, so a simple test. Even simpler, start the engine from cold, and run it for about 60 seconds. Then dab a bit of water on each exhaust header with a cotton bud and see how long it takes to dry. Non firing cylinders will take much longer. Also take all 8 plugs out and see what colour they are. Non firing cylinders can clean the plug tips if there is fuel but no spark, or head gasket failure. I'm with Dave P, you don't loose 2 injectors for an ECU fault, it will be one bank of 4, so that exhaust won't get hot at all.

spitfire4v8

3,990 posts

180 months

Friday 26th June 2020
quotequote all
This shows one of the pitfalls of not using people familiar with the cars for this kind of thing. I had a car in the other day which had been diagnosed as an airflow meter fault (because the car ran better with the afm disconnected ..) . It actually turned out to be an ecu fault, and a faulty new spark plug misfiring. All sorted for less than you've paid out just in diagnostics so far.

Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Friday 26th June 2020
quotequote all
Hi folks, thanks for the tips, will certainly give them a try. As for finding someone with TVR experience, when the cars not in a driveable condition and there's no one local, then needs must. I would have thought any auto electrician worth his salt ( and obviously mine wasn't ) should be able to fault diagnose what is basically a Rover V8 with software enhancement, or am I fooling myself ?

briantvr350i

115 posts

257 months

Friday 26th June 2020
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Hi... Main problem is car can't be driven. Couple of TVR experienced garages near you... Google Selby TVR, not used them personally but only heard good reports, next in distance is John Ashley Cars in Rotherham, Chris there has loads of experience and I have used them myself. Joolz (who replied above) is a bit further afield in Chesterfield, but has been solving RV8 injection problems for years, I can personally recommend his services as well.

As has already been said you need someone who knows the marque, and it needn't cost daft money. The people to avoid are the ones whose eyes light up and they start booking expensive holidays when you mention TVR!

Regards,

Brian and a Green Griffith 500

Vixenlad

Original Poster:

23 posts

45 months

Friday 26th June 2020
quotequote all
Thanks Brian, will check out Selby and see if they are mobile. Cheers.