Car won't start :(

[buba]

Just finished my car and keen to start it, but it won't fire, engine turns over fine with a new battery and 100a fuse fitted.

When I turn on I have the mil light on but have no fuel pump and the mil light stays illuminated while turning the engine over. I can hear the relay clicking but have no voltage at the terminals.

All was fine the last time I started the car albeit 3 years ago, I wonder if it could be the immobiliser but don't know how to check.

Would be grateful if anyone has any ideas where to start,

Thanks Steve.

[TimJM]

Have you touched the silver key of death?

[buba]

I do use the silver key and it appears to be working.

[FUBAR]

If it was the silver key there wouldn't be any electrics at all, no?

Sounds like immobiliser, but you don't want to be tacking mechanical/electrical advice from me

[buba]

All the other electrics work lights, wipers, windows doors etc.

[TimJM]

buba said:

I do use the silver key and it appears to be working.

- Never use the silver key! Well, that's what I have always been told.

Although I thought that the Cerbera immobilizer prevented the starter firing not he fuel pumping. If that is the case and your starter is turning the car over then it won't be the silver key.

Fuse perhaps? I am guessing at #19 but I would check first.

Could it be the fuel inertia switch? I thought the Cerbera has a fuel cut off switch on the left side of the fuel tank in the boot.

There will be a reason for the fuel pump not receiving any power (if I understand you correctly) and it will most likely be a simple one.

[TimJM]

Just had a quick look in the manual and it is fuse 19 (15A). Also, the inertial switch being tripped should cause a slightly diffrent MIL light behaviour which I never knew about. From the manual:

WARNING LIGHT CLUSTER . A Engine management warning light (red) This light will illuminate if the is a problem with the engine management system or if the fuel injection inertia switch has been tripped. The light will remain on constantly if there is a fault with the .engine managment, in which case the car should be driven at low speeds to the nearest TVR dealer If the inertia switch has been tripped, the light will illuminate for two seconds every time the ignition isswitched on. The vehicle will not start. Please contact your nearest TVR dealer for assistance.

[buba]

Checked fuse and all ok

[buba]

Also checked fuel inertia switch as I had the fuel tank out to fix a leak and seems ok.

[Tanguero]

TimJM said:

buba said:

I do use the silver key and it appears to be working.

- Never use the silver key! Well, that's what I have always been told.

Although I thought that the Cerbera immobilizer prevented the starter firing not he fuel pumping. If that is the case and your starter is turning the car over then it won't be the silver key.

Fuse perhaps? I am guessing at #19 but I would check first.

Could it be the fuel inertia switch? I thought the Cerbera has a fuel cut off switch on the left side of the fuel tank in the boot.

There will be a reason for the fuel pump not receiving any power (if I understand you correctly) and it will most likely be a simple one.

The original Meta immobiliser is a 3 circuit one. It prevents the fuel pump from running, the starter from turning, and the ignition from firing. Each of the relays can (and will!) fail separately. The later replacement immobiliser is only 2 circuit, so which circuits are immobilised by it will depend on who did the replacement.

If you are not getting fuel pump priming then the immobiliser has to be a prime suspect.

[buba]

How can I bypass the immobiliser to prove it?

[TimJM]

buba said:

How can I bypass the immobiliser to prove it?

Please don't post this on the forum.

Also, before you go bypassing the immobilizer did you check the relays? I know you said you could hear the relay clicking but have you tested resistance and output? Bad relays can still click.

[buba]

Haven't tested relays do you know how Tim?

[Tanguero]

buba said:

How can I bypass the immobiliser to prove it?

YHM

[buba]

Thanks I will have a look.

[TimJM]

buba said:

Haven't tested relays do you know how Tim?

Multi-meter and a 12v source (car battery or good quality cordless drill battery). Here is a nice video that explains it clearly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gIZ0weS7iU

[buba]

Thanks Tim relay checked and ok.

Thanks for info Pete, can see what you're talking about but can't get to it.

[buba]

Ok have checked immobiliser and still nothing any other suggestions guys?

[Supateg]

Have you got power at the fuel pump? The terminals are prone to corrosion?

[buba]

I have checked for power at the terminals and could not get a reading, then it used a battery to test the fuel pump and nothing, I'm assuming that it should have done something. The terminals are badly corroded so will clean up and have another try.