Problem starting

[paulvx220T]

Hi,
I need help engine will turn over but will not start, if it does manage to start it is very lumpy and soon dies. Checked there is a spark and fuel getting to the engine. Connected up the diagnostics and it tells me the air temp is "bad" and the air FLT shows "logged fault". Could this be the problem if so where is the sensor located.

Thanks

[paulvx220T]

Hi,
Its not the sensor i had it discoonected when i was checking a few things, it has now cleared. The diagnostis tell me everything is ok, but it will not start. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[m0ssy]

I had a problem similar and turned out to be a fueling issue.

Got stuck in B&Q carpark so posted on here whilst waiting for the recovery vehicle and was kindly advised to take out the fuel pump fuse to see if it started. It did, and then had to pop the fuel pump fuse back in before it died! Possibly related. Str8 Six sorted it out long term.

Anyway felt good to phone the recovery company to cancel the truck

[paulvx220T]

Thanks, i will check that out. Also going to check the low voltage and high voltage resistances on the coil pack

[martinj999]

just had the same problem, loose cable on isolator, in boot behind carpet above tank on mk1. mine is mk2 but has mk1 loom! this stopped power to fuel pump, it pump not charging then this could be your problem.

best regards

Martin

[paulvx220T]

Hi Martin ,
Thanks for that, when i crank the engine over the diagnostics show the pump operating from off to on and there is fuel getting to the cylinders. Does anyone know what the resistances should be on the low voltage side of the coil pack. I am measuring around 0.4 ohms between all three banks and the 12V supply,i was was expecting 8-9 ohms. The high voltage side between each bank is around 11kohms which appears about right.

Thanks

[martinj999]

I too could smell fuel in exhaust but would not fire, can you hear the pump starting? May also be fuel pressure regulator fault, this was causing hot start problems also.

[paulvx220T]

Pump is working ok, lots of fuel coming out. There is fuel in fuel rail, next stop is fuel pressure regulator, symptoms seem to suggest this. Anyone know the size of the fitting for the large blanking cap at the end of the fuel rail so i can attach a pressure gauge.

Thanks

[natben]

Mechanical Numpty here,

But could it be the 100amp fuse located in front of the coil pack. I remember on here someone advising to check that out as a matter of course if you experiance starting/running issues!

[paulvx220T]

Fuse is ok. This the status, engine turns over, spark at plugs, fuel in fuel rail, plugs are sooty and there is a smell of fuel. Everything points to the fuel pressure regulator bosch part number is 0280 160 280, other than TVR dealers does anyone know where i can get one.
Thanks

[nrick]

would be surprised if it was the regulator. Have you changed the plugs.
Try starting it with no throttle and the diagnostics connected.
Is there a spark on all plugs?
Is the roll over switch ok in the boot?
Is the battery voltage ok?
Are the plugs wet?
Have you tried swapping the coil, it might be sparking but not strong enough?

What happened before it wouldn't start? Did you just fill up, been in the rain, long run/short run, long lay up. Inside/outside storage? When was it serviced last? both 100a fuses ok? Any other symptoms last time you went out, i.e. missing, flat spot etc

Sorry for all the questions just trying to understand.

[paulvx220T]

All the plugs are black and sooty and wet with fuel. It does try to fire and does so for a second, so there is combustion trying to happen. Originally i did think it was the coil pack but the resistance values on the low voltage and high voltage checked out ok, but maybe that does necessarily mean i am going to get a good spark.

[nrick]

I have a spare coil you can borrow if you want to try it, I have some old plugs that aren't too bad. I'm in FOD so not so far away. Let me know.

[paulvx220T]

Thanks for offer, i will e-mail you

[nawarne]

Paul (?),

Are you sure battery is in 'good' condition?
I posted a couple of weeks ago. Similar problem - car would crank over..reasonably fast, engine would give the odd cough of ignition..smell of petrol out of exhaust.

Pod alarm eventually gave low volts alarm and buzzer. Put the battery on a full monty charger for an hour and it fired. Turned out to be the battery unable to accept a full charge (after testing).

So, I've come to the conclusion that the MBE ecu is quite voltage sensitive. Too low and it will inhibit starting. Just my 2p's worth.
Nick

[paulvx220T]

Hi Nick,
Thanks for your input. The car is on a trickle charger and the voltage output is good and the battery turns over ok. One of the guys is loaning me a coil pack to check out.

Paul

[ruta87]

martinj999 said:

just had the same problem, loose cable on isolator, in boot behind carpet above tank on mk1. mine is mk2 but has mk1 loom! this stopped power to fuel pump, it pump not charging then this could be your problem.

best regards

Martin

Hi Martin,

Ive had this issue a couple off times with my mark 1, occasionly the fuel pump fails to turn on so im guessing it could be this - could you tell me which bit of carpet i need to remove?

Cheers,

Christian

[alinton]

It could also be your fuel filter - mine had the same symptoms after I let the fuel tank get nearly empty.

'Loads' of fuel still appeared to be coming out of the fuel rail, but not actually enough pressure.

Replaced fuel filter - perfect afterwards.

A.

[martinj999]

ruta87 said:

Hi Martin,

Ive had this issue a couple off times with my mark 1, occasionly the fuel pump fails to turn on so im guessing it could be this - could you tell me which bit of carpet i need to remove?

Cheers,

Christian

It's the top cover above the tank. It is glued down so you'll need to tear it away then re-glue it afterwards. The connector is in the center of the car, mine just had a blank plug to make the link as the isolator is inside the car on the Mk2.

Best regards

Martin

[ruta87]

Cool thanks martin, i shall take a look. It seems to be fine most the time but occasionly the pump doesnt turn on and it wont start.

Although it could well be the issue with the fuse that was mentioned earlier in the post...

Paul VX220 when you start the car my usual routine is unlock, get in, ignition on, give it a couple of seconds to think, push button on key again to de activate immobiliser, and start car.

If you have the electrics you should here a click then a whirring/humming noise for 2 seconds from behind the passenger seat. This will be the fuel pump turning on.

If you dont hear it you know the problem is electrical and to do with the fuel pump. the few times this has happened to me ive gone into the boot and lifted the flap up at the top of the boot below the rear screen. on the right hand side is the fuel pump switch (its a little rubber thing). push that to make sure it is down and try again. if you still cant hear pump turning on try pulling out the fuel pump fuse.

Sometime when it happened to me i would just lock the car, leave it for 5/10mins and start again and generally this worked!!!

Just another one of the joys of tvr tuscan electronics!

Sounds like you have a similar thing to what i have experience so hope that helps! im still not actually sure what the problem is but it seems to just sort itself out most of the time!