Chimaera starting

[LenChim]

Chim 400 1999. Starting or rather not starting. This is an intermittent problem. Turn the ignition on etc wind the key to start and nothing happens. No click of the solenoid going in.If you put the head lights on they dim just a bit but not much so I am not pulling a big load. The battery is good, I have had the starter motor off and it seems ok, off the car it works. Can you get a high resistance connection on the solenoid?
Has any one got any suggestion? Thanks.

[dbv8]

Bad earth?

[Naybr]

You say the problem is intermittent. Do you mean when it's hot by any chance?

If so, it may be the infamous Chimp 'hot start problem'. Loads of info on this forum if you search. My advice is buy the Modwise kit if your car hasn't got one already...

[thegman]

In my case (and many others I have read on here) the issue was not fixed by hotstart kit as it was a corroded immob circuit - if you find this is the case then speak to Carl Baker

[LenChim]

No it is not a hot start problem as such it also happens when the car has been standing in the garage over night, I have got out of the car to get a log steel rod to hit the stater, switched the ignition back on and the car has started and I have done nothing but at other time I have just sat there tried it 10/12 times and still nothing, gone away come back to look at it and it has started. I will go and look at the hot start as it could be a combination. Thanks

[Green is good]

Sounds just the same as mine, turned out to be the immobiliser, poor connection. I used to get it started by holding the key in the start position and thumping the dash top. Usually did the trick but in the end even that failed.

[bsdnazz]

Green is good said:

Sounds just the same as mine, turned out to be the immobiliser, poor connection. I used to get it started by holding the key in the start position and thumping the dash top. Usually did the trick but in the end even that failed.

The immobiliser relay for the starter can fail. As the immobiliser is usually in the passenger dash a few good thumps on the dash while holding the key in the start position is a useful test.

Once I had worked out that I had this problem with a faulty immobiliser I got Carl Baker to replace the immobiliser. That solved all my starting problems.

[LenChim]

Green is good said:

Sounds just the same as mine, turned out to be the immobiliser, poor connection. I used to get it started by holding the key in the start position and thumping the dash top. Usually did the trick but in the end even that failed.

Thanks, I have just been doing some reading up and thumping the underside of the dash on the passenger side came up several times so I will give it a try. If it starts them it is a good indication that it is the immobilizer unit and I will get it changed, a lot better idea than taking the ***** starter motor off again. Many thanks gentlemen for your help. Len

[blackchim]

This is the classic so called hot start problem ie the Meta immobiliser system. I used to experience the problem a couple of times a month. Relays sticking due to heat or otherwise geting old. kept turning the key until it went, sometimes upto 15 minutes. I had the Meta box reconned (3 new relays) and have not had any issues since.

[bsdnazz]

blackchim said:

This is the classic so called hot start problem

My understanding of the hot start problem is it's to do with the starter motor solenoid jamming when hot rather than the immobiliser relays giving up the ghost.

[darkcat]

i have a similar problem, but i CAN hear the solenoid...

however i know my immobiliser is NOT connected to the starter, as it will turn over with the immobiliser on.

[jvr]

mmmm mine was the solinoid on the starter,start many times then next time nothing,turning the key many times eventually would normally do it,no pattern to it,Replaced the starter and fine ever since.
BTW no clicking could be heard either
HTH
P

[taylormj4]

blackchim said:

This is the classic so called hot start problem ie the Meta immobiliser system. I used to experience the problem a couple of times a month. Relays sticking due to heat or otherwise geting old. kept turning the key until it went, sometimes upto 15 minutes. I had the Meta box reconned (3 new relays) and have not had any issues since.

Hi there, this is interesting, I have similar problem and was expecting to have to buy a whole new immobiliser. Had toyed with the idea of replacing the relays instead but wondered if it was possible. Did you do the work yourself or get someone else to do it- if the latter, who please ?

Cheers

[LenChim]

blackchim said:

This is the classic so called hot start problem ie the Meta immobiliser system. I used to experience the problem a couple of times a month. Relays sticking due to heat or otherwise geting old. kept turning the key until it went, sometimes upto 15 minutes. I had the Meta box reconned (3 new relays) and have not had any issues since.

3relays replaced, Did you do it yourself? If it was some one else how do I get hold of him? How long did it take and much did it cost? I have been on to tvruk.tv but they are out of boxes and would not be able to do it for a couple of weeks. I do not mind doing it myself if I can get the parts. Thanks. By the way mines black (Chim that is) could that be the problem???

[Cider Andy]

bsdnazz said:

blackchim said:

This is the classic so called hot start problem

My understanding of the hot start problem is it's to do with the starter motor solenoid jamming when hot rather than the immobiliser relays giving up the ghost.

It can happen at any time but the problem tends to first appear when the motor's hot.

[darkcat]

LenChim said:

3relays replaced, Did you do it yourself? If it was some one else how do I get hold of him? How long did it take and much did it cost? I have been on to tvruk.tv but they are out of boxes and would not be able to do it for a couple of weeks. I do not mind doing it myself if I can get the parts. Thanks. By the way mines black (Chim that is) could that be the problem???

Hi - I am an electronics engineer, i could do it for you - would probably be in the region of £25, depending on the cost of the parts etc.

PM me if interested

[blackchim]

Apologies for the late reply.

This was done through Dan Taylor of Taylor TVR near Maidstone whilst car was also in for a service. He sent it off to a well known individual who I cannot recall. I do remember it costing about £100 including labour & P&P and to remove dash top etc.
I'm sure if you emailed him he would help.

[taylormj4]

darkcat said:

Hi - I am an electronics engineer, i could do it for you - would probably be in the region of £25, depending on the cost of the parts etc.

PM me if interested

Note that this isn't as simple as a straight swap over of relays, i.e a quick bit of soldering. TVR apparently put the feeds to the relays in teh wrong way around, which is why the contacts are burning. Not quite sure which connections are the wrong way around. You should establish this before replacing otherwise the problem will likely re-occur.

[taylormj4]

Cider Andy said:

It can happen at any time but the problem tends to first appear when the motor's hot.

Yes, strange that. I don't understand why the engine being hot affects the immobiliser circuits that are under the dashboard. But you're right, it does. Very odd.

[LenChim]

Just to sigh off on this topic. I have now had fitted by Carl Baker a new alarm/immobilizer, it seems that it was the problem as the car now starts ok, abet differently. Before when the fob button was pushed the fuel pump started directly , now the pump starts after the the alarm has timed out (Red light has gone off.)No hot start or failing to start problems.
Thanks to all who contributed to the desiccation.
The end.