...well I didn't buy the 1st one I saw...
Discussion
...but I did buy the second!! Just picked up my very first Griff after saving hard and using every trick in the book to convince Mrs T that it is a good idea to own a 300+bhp open top sports car in the wettest region in the UK...
Now the proud owner of a 1995 Cooper Green 500 (thanks Ian!) my face is now aching from grinning like a loon all the way from Halifax back to Cumbria, I also seem to have developed into a red panda (last sunny day of the year, (probably), roof down and sunglasses)- not a good look.
I also annoyed multiple road users with my new habit of dropping back 1/4 of a mile in a queue of traffic just so I can drop 2 gears and roar up to the rear bumper of the car in front. (Is it just me)?
I did however manage to break down on the way home. Car has an intermittent charging problem - battery light was flickering all the way back (seller had disclosed this problem before I bought, even though it didn't happen on the test drive but I decided to take a chance and we factored this into the deal).
Eventually lost electrics 20 miles from home, borrowed boost pack from nice RAC man and made it home ok.
So its back home tucked up in the garage on the Accumate so I can start it up for the neighbours to admire!
RAC guy reckons 99% certain the alternator is goosed, but I'm going to spend tomorrow checking the earth connections, fuses etc (gets me out of gardening).
Any thoughts/advice welcome.
Now the proud owner of a 1995 Cooper Green 500 (thanks Ian!) my face is now aching from grinning like a loon all the way from Halifax back to Cumbria, I also seem to have developed into a red panda (last sunny day of the year, (probably), roof down and sunglasses)- not a good look.
I also annoyed multiple road users with my new habit of dropping back 1/4 of a mile in a queue of traffic just so I can drop 2 gears and roar up to the rear bumper of the car in front. (Is it just me)?
I did however manage to break down on the way home. Car has an intermittent charging problem - battery light was flickering all the way back (seller had disclosed this problem before I bought, even though it didn't happen on the test drive but I decided to take a chance and we factored this into the deal).
Eventually lost electrics 20 miles from home, borrowed boost pack from nice RAC man and made it home ok.
So its back home tucked up in the garage on the Accumate so I can start it up for the neighbours to admire!
RAC guy reckons 99% certain the alternator is goosed, but I'm going to spend tomorrow checking the earth connections, fuses etc (gets me out of gardening).
Any thoughts/advice welcome.
Doc Toad said:
RAC guy reckons 99% certain the alternator is goosed, but I'm going to spend tomorrow checking the earth connections, fuses etc (gets me out of gardening).
Any thoughts/advice welcome.
There's a 100 amp fuse in the cable from the alternator to the battery. It's not unheard of for the contacts in the 100 amp fuse/holder to get corroded and become high resistance causing insufficient charging of the battery. You can see the fuse from underneath the car, somewhere near the starter motor.Any thoughts/advice welcome.
Also check the connections of the main cable on your alternator.
I had a similar problem diagnosed by RAC as failed battery, but when new battery also failed investigated further and found a loose and dirty terminal on the alternator.
You may need a new alternator but check the inexpensive things first.
Whereabouts in Cumbria are you?
I had a similar problem diagnosed by RAC as failed battery, but when new battery also failed investigated further and found a loose and dirty terminal on the alternator.
You may need a new alternator but check the inexpensive things first.
Whereabouts in Cumbria are you?
Doc Toad said:
... it's back home tucked up in the garage on the Accumate so I can start it up for the neighbours to admire!
If the battery was completely flat then don't be surprised if a night on the Accumate isn't enough to re-charge it. Be better if you've got a proper battery charger else it'll probably need 2-3 days.Thanks for the replies, I've ordered a new fuse and holder from Steve Heath (along with one or two other goodies). Just checked the Accumate, its doing a good job of keeping the garage warm but hasn't got far with charging the battery.
Just time to watch the F1 before I get the overalls on.
Loubarch - I'm in sunny Seascale.
Just time to watch the F1 before I get the overalls on.
Loubarch - I'm in sunny Seascale.
Doc Toad said:
I also annoyed multiple road users with my new habit of dropping back 1/4 of a mile in a queue of traffic just so I can drop 2 gears and roar up to the rear bumper of the car in front. (Is it just me)?
Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the forums 
It isn't just you I do that as well and I am sure it really annoys the people in front and behind you. I personally see it as providing a entertainment service to other road users
Matthew
Another happy Griff customer - they are great fun so I hope the charging issue is soon sorted. As mentioned above the normal TVR sheet ali fuse can crack and even break; I've had mine replaced with proper cartridge type fuses. The later (not sure if later but think I was told that) Griffs also had an 80amp fuse somewhere that feeds the fuse board and that is also the sheet ali type which is often replaced by a cartridge type 100amp one for reliability reasons.
Hopefully the weather will allow you a few more days out this year.
Jim
Hopefully the weather will allow you a few more days out this year.
Jim
...up and running again!!!
It wasn't the 100A fuse (although now replaced with 125A fuse and new carrier)
It wasn't a dud chassis ground
It wasn't a bad connection at the fusebox or battery
It was (wait for it) a dead alternator - exactly what the RAC guy told me last Saturday!!
Strange one though - guy I bought it off had just replaced it, luck of the draw or sign of something wrong somewhere else? Time will tell, but at least I can get a few miles in before winter.
What have I learned?
The Griff is probably the easiest car I've owned, in terms of working on it myself, since the 1979 Fiesta I got when I passed my test in 1982! Good access under the bonnet, fairly straightforward to get at stuff underneath.
The quality of the wiring is something to behold
Not sure how they came out of the factory, but fusebox, ECU and battery all floating around in footwell next to dodgy looking heater hoses... lordy!
Sometimes they fail just like normal cars... I'm glad I did all the cheap/easy stuff before getting the new alternator, but if it had been any other car that's the first thing I'd have changed. Swapping the alternator out took 15 minutes. It took twice as long to fit the Steve Heath Heat Shield (there's a tongue twister for you).
Now praying for good weather tomorrow
It wasn't the 100A fuse (although now replaced with 125A fuse and new carrier)
It wasn't a dud chassis ground
It wasn't a bad connection at the fusebox or battery
It was (wait for it) a dead alternator - exactly what the RAC guy told me last Saturday!!
Strange one though - guy I bought it off had just replaced it, luck of the draw or sign of something wrong somewhere else? Time will tell, but at least I can get a few miles in before winter.
What have I learned?
The Griff is probably the easiest car I've owned, in terms of working on it myself, since the 1979 Fiesta I got when I passed my test in 1982! Good access under the bonnet, fairly straightforward to get at stuff underneath.
The quality of the wiring is something to behold
Not sure how they came out of the factory, but fusebox, ECU and battery all floating around in footwell next to dodgy looking heater hoses... lordy!
Sometimes they fail just like normal cars... I'm glad I did all the cheap/easy stuff before getting the new alternator, but if it had been any other car that's the first thing I'd have changed. Swapping the alternator out took 15 minutes. It took twice as long to fit the Steve Heath Heat Shield (there's a tongue twister for you).
Now praying for good weather tomorrow
clarkmagpie said:
Hi fellow Cumbrian Griff owner 
The roads around the lakes are made for cars like these.
The tourists, well they either love them or hate them.
Not sure they appreciate the roar.
Had plenty telling me to slow down when I'm doing under 30mph.
Tend to drop a cog and really piss em off
True comment about people assuming a loud engine noise equals a high speed. I gave the Tiv a burble through a village at around 30mph in 2nd (or was it 1st!) and 2 women were going ape sThe roads around the lakes are made for cars like these.
The tourists, well they either love them or hate them.
Not sure they appreciate the roar.
Had plenty telling me to slow down when I'm doing under 30mph.
Tend to drop a cog and really piss em off
t waving at me to slow down?!Hope you like your new car and dont have the same regrets that all griff owners have when they are following a Chimaera!!
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