Costs of recovery from deep hibernation
Discussion
I'm ashamed to write this but I've left my 1995 400 Chimaera in the garage for three years (there was a very good reason for the first 6 months and then I just couldnt afford to get it back running again and was in the midsts of study hell). However, now I'd like to get it back on the road and I'd be extremely grateful if anyone has any pointers.
The first issue is electrical (the reason it didnt start 3 years ago), and I hope this isnt too much of challenge for a bright spark auto electrian to sort out. When the battery is charged, all the electrics work including the fuel pump but when you turn the key to start the engine there is literally nothing. Any ideas? Immobilisor?
The second issue is how much is it going to cost to get it back on the road (electrics issue aside)? I'm guessing that a new battery, plugs, leads would be a good idea, but if its been standing for so long what other problems and issues would there be? (it has been kept in a dry garage all the time and the battery has been re-charged periodically. It was kept in very good working order for the preceding 7 years by me - well an excellent mecahnic I know).
I've set aside about £1,000 to get it going again.
As said above, any help would be appreciated.
The first issue is electrical (the reason it didnt start 3 years ago), and I hope this isnt too much of challenge for a bright spark auto electrian to sort out. When the battery is charged, all the electrics work including the fuel pump but when you turn the key to start the engine there is literally nothing. Any ideas? Immobilisor?
The second issue is how much is it going to cost to get it back on the road (electrics issue aside)? I'm guessing that a new battery, plugs, leads would be a good idea, but if its been standing for so long what other problems and issues would there be? (it has been kept in a dry garage all the time and the battery has been re-charged periodically. It was kept in very good working order for the preceding 7 years by me - well an excellent mecahnic I know).
I've set aside about £1,000 to get it going again.
As said above, any help would be appreciated.
Full service, replace all the fluids, check the brakes and like others have said I would certainly replace the tyres. Mine had the original tyres on when I purchased and although the still had plenty of tread they were like rocks and bloody scarey to drive on.
Good luck with getting the car back on the road - I bet you are looking forward to it
Good luck with getting the car back on the road - I bet you are looking forward to it
custodian said:
post some pics before and after. Should be worth seeing
+1as others have said, tyres and brakes, would the shocks have seized up?
again full service, engine, diff,gearbox oil replaced, brake fluid, clutch fluid.
drain radiator and refill etc. New plugs..... Reset clock
all the above usually done by tvr specialist at full service (£500~) etc but not sure how many there will be in Jersey.
Good luck!
I think £500 for a truly full service sounds right, plus £350-400 for tyres and hopefully £100 for electrics. Might have to throw in a couple of tow trucks in there too.
Luckily I know a very good mechanic, not a TVR specialist, but has done all the other work on my p&j to a very high standard.
That pesky clock.
Luckily I know a very good mechanic, not a TVR specialist, but has done all the other work on my p&j to a very high standard.
That pesky clock.
G21 said:
When the battery is charged, all the electrics work including the fuel pump but when you turn the key to start the engine there is literally nothing. Any ideas? Immobilisor?
Immobilisor or starter solenoid are the most likely culprits. When my starter packed up turning the key resulted in absolutely nothing, no click, no whirr just serene silence.Easy enough to check, but easier to do from underneath.. Check for 12V on the smaller cable feeding the solenoid (the one that triggers it) and also for 12V on the large cable (the one that turns the starter), the trigger one will only have 12V with the key turned to the start position.
If you are on your own and want to do a "quick and dirty" check then make sure the car is in neutral, turn the ignition on, listen for the fuel pump (that's also fed from the immobiliser so if that doesn't make any noise that could be another pointer) assuming it primes take a small piece of electrical cable and attach one end to the large diameter cable on the solenoid.... then just touch that to the 12V trigger on the solenoid.
At that point you'll either scare yourself witless as the car cranks and possibly even starts or nothing happens and you will be reasonably certain that the solenoid/starter is duff.
You could also bridge the connection tot he solenoid (i.e. the two big cables) with a screwdriver and that should spin the starter.
Obviously it's MUCH better to take it off the car and test it, but if you're looking for a quick test then try that...
Left of centre (on top) if you see what I mean.. Sit in the drivers seat, lean left and thump the underside of the dash while turning the key.
It'll only help if it's a sticking relay (as opposed to a burnt out contact) but it's not unheard of for it to work :-)
Good Luck
It'll only help if it's a sticking relay (as opposed to a burnt out contact) but it's not unheard of for it to work :-)
Good Luck
Edited by Julesprivate on Wednesday 13th February 19:28
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff