Discussion
I had just overtaken some traffic when the car started to slow and lost all power, no response at all to the accelerator. Luckily I was approaching a lay-by and pulled in. The engine would turn over but not start. I couldn't hear the fuel pump priming and wondered if it had failed. While waiting for the RAC I tried to start the car several times, no go. When the mechanic arrives it starts first turn of the key!! Seemed to idle OK, so I risked a journey to the nearest dealer, managed to get there but on the way the engine died again, only to pick up immediately.
I thought it might be dirt in the fuel line - I filled up at motorway services earlier that day. Anybody had anything similar? Any ideas? The dealer will be looking at it tomorrow.
Incidentally, this happened on Saturday on the A44 Evesham to Pershore stretch. Two Chimaeras passed me while I was immobilized, one driver waved. Anybody here?
I thought it might be dirt in the fuel line - I filled up at motorway services earlier that day. Anybody had anything similar? Any ideas? The dealer will be looking at it tomorrow.
Incidentally, this happened on Saturday on the A44 Evesham to Pershore stretch. Two Chimaeras passed me while I was immobilized, one driver waved. Anybody here?
Could be a blocked vent in the petrol tank. If air can't get in, petrol can't get out because of the vacuum. I think there is an air vent in the filler cap somewhere, and being ally it can corrode and get blocked. Left for a while enough air will get in to release the vacuum, and the car will start again.
Pretty easy to check, the petrol cap will be a tw*t to get off and there will be an almighty whoosh when you do get it loose.
Pretty easy to check, the petrol cap will be a tw*t to get off and there will be an almighty whoosh when you do get it loose.
Mine did the same thing on M1, when the AA came out they wired up the fuel pump direct to the battery and she fired up first time - got me the 100 miles home. It turned out to be a either a break in the fuel pump wire, or badly corroded terminals.
I put new wires from the fuse box to the fuel pump and changed all of the relays - it's been fine ever since.
I put new wires from the fuse box to the fuel pump and changed all of the relays - it's been fine ever since.
How would you test the coil? Mine did this once when I was *stupid* enough to check whether the starter was jammed while I was still rolling. It wasn't, but the engine wouldn't restart! After a short wait it sprung to life.
Fuel pump was fine on mine, which is why I wonder about the coil...
Fuel pump was fine on mine, which is why I wonder about the coil...
This happend to me with my 98 4.0L Chimaera 1 week after I got it.... The engine just dies and there is no sound from the fuel pump.
After problems with fuses and relays the main cause of this appears to be the connection in the wires taking power from the front to the back of the car in the wiring on the passenger side. Lift up the flap on the passenger side wall (It's a panel held in place with with velcro by the seat belt). Using the hole in the body shell pull out the largest connector of the bunch and give it a good clean and spray with electrical connection cleaner then shove it back together ! Hey presto problem solved ! Let me know how you get on...
After problems with fuses and relays the main cause of this appears to be the connection in the wires taking power from the front to the back of the car in the wiring on the passenger side. Lift up the flap on the passenger side wall (It's a panel held in place with with velcro by the seat belt). Using the hole in the body shell pull out the largest connector of the bunch and give it a good clean and spray with electrical connection cleaner then shove it back together ! Hey presto problem solved ! Let me know how you get on...
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Just a brief update for those interested.
As determined by the Dealer, the fuel pump was faulty and has been replaced under warranty. Seems fine now.
I know you probably don't care since you didn't pay, but do you think that maybe the wires to the fuel pump were loose? (very easy thing to happen), they tightened them up and put a new fuel pump on anyway? It's a serious possibility. Allegedly.
I guess it's possible, but you could argue the same point with almost any work you have done, unless a demonstrably faulty part is produced for inspection. I imagine the warranty providers are aware of such things and have random checks / safeguards of some sort. I think if a garage did that sort of thing on a regular basis then it would be picked up by their consistently higher charges for warranty work.
More to the point, the car runs well now and I'm pleased! I had it serviced at the same time and am very happy with the work. The dealers are a newish TVR franchise and are a great improvement on the dealer I bought the car from.
More to the point, the car runs well now and I'm pleased! I had it serviced at the same time and am very happy with the work. The dealers are a newish TVR franchise and are a great improvement on the dealer I bought the car from.
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