Immobiliser problem?

[james12345]

Hi all - my first post to this forum, so treat me nice! Only picked up the Chim a week ago, so it's all new to me, and can't get this manic gri off my face!

Anyway, went to one of these retail parks at the weekend, and when me and the wife came out, tried to start the car. The remote worked fine, and the immobiliser appeared to have turned off, as wehn I tuned on the ignition, I could hear the fuel pump kick in.

Then turning the key to fire it up, nothing! Tried several times, over about 10 / 15 minutes - still nothing. All the while both me and my wife were trying to get through to the RAC on our mobiles, but couldn't get a line (you know - the three beeps and the phone hangs up).

After about 15 mins, suddenly the car started! And low and behold, we could both get a line on our mobiles too (one O2, the other Orange)

Really wierd - anyone esle had a problem like this? I couldn't see any radio masts around anywhere, but the area is renowned for a lot of minicab firms.

Many thanks,
James.

[hut49]

Sounds like the well-known starter motor problem that results from a cooked starter motor (due to engine heat). Generally OK after it's cooled down. How long between arriving at the retail park and trying to start it? If it was mine, usually about 15 minutes - that's generally all I can tolerate in a shopping centre.

[james12345]

We'd only done about 5 miles to get there, and it had been standing for around 10 minutes before we came back out.

Is there anything I can do to get around this? Also, seemed a bit odd that the phone couldn't get a line either, and both started working at the same time...

[Steve_T]

James,

One of the guys in my region of the TVRCC has fixed this problem, without the need to purchase a new starter motor, or indeed spend much money. If I remember ok, some of the parts of the starter motor assembly are a very close fit, when it gets hot (and believe me a TVR engine bay gets very hot) then part of the start mechanism jams and therefore the starter motor does not turn the engine over.

Possibly a bit of a cryptic explanation, so I'll try and find the details out for you. Drop in to our meet at the Fairmile between Esher and Cobham for a free BBQ and a chat if you can make it.

Cheers,

Steve

[james12345]

Hi Steve.

Sounds good - I'll probably come along the the Jovial next month, and see what info I can glean there.

[Gavstar]

james12345 said:

The remote worked fine, and the immobiliser appeared to have turned off, as wehn I tuned on the ignition, I could hear the fuel pump kick in. Then turning the key to fire it up, nothing!

Not sure if this is relevant to your problem, but on mine I don't get long between disabling the alarm and when the immobiliser arms itself again, and I usually have to disable the immobiliser again - either turn the key fully and hold the alarm button down at same time, or push the immobiliser fob into the socket just before turning the key. Does that help or am I misunderstanding the problem?

[K4TRV]

Hi,

Don't think you have a "Starter motor problem".

More and more "Transmitter" sites coming into use and sounds more likely that you have been "Interferred" with (well, your Alarm system) !!

The link here: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=97470&f=8&h=0&hw=transmitter+interference

Shows what can happen, plus some other stories...!!

Trev McM