Tvr newbie that needs help! 400se will not run
Discussion
Hi all,
I am hoping someone would love the satisfaction of getting my new toy running!?
I recently bought a 1989 400se from a customer that has an electrical issue.....and has been sitting in their garage for years after a few failed attempts to get it going, from God knows who..
So far I've had the ecu tested.. man wasn't sure,
And me and a clever chap with his probe went through the basics for half a day to see if we could pin point a definite fault..but unfortunately not. I turns over and over but will not fire!
😢 if there is a keen enthusiast in the norfolk area that thinks they're the man for the job I'd love to hear from you.
Kind regards.
John
I am hoping someone would love the satisfaction of getting my new toy running!?
I recently bought a 1989 400se from a customer that has an electrical issue.....and has been sitting in their garage for years after a few failed attempts to get it going, from God knows who..
So far I've had the ecu tested.. man wasn't sure,
And me and a clever chap with his probe went through the basics for half a day to see if we could pin point a definite fault..but unfortunately not. I turns over and over but will not fire!
😢 if there is a keen enthusiast in the norfolk area that thinks they're the man for the job I'd love to hear from you.
Kind regards.
John
If it's been sat around it could be anything
I recommend you don't start swapping stuff, do a basic check
Does it have fuel?
Does it have a spark?
Etc
Most checks on the engine you can follow HJ2 's page = http://www.vintagemodelairplane.com/pages/Download...
I recommend you don't start swapping stuff, do a basic check
Does it have fuel?
Does it have a spark?
Etc
Most checks on the engine you can follow HJ2 's page = http://www.vintagemodelairplane.com/pages/Download...
Ah, Glen beat me to it!
Is it the earlier flapper injection system or the hot wire?
My experience is with the earlier flapper engines so ignore me if the latter ones:
Checking HT system - Take the king lead off the top of the distributor and place the end close to a section of the earthed engine and crank the engine - is there a big fat spark? If so put the king lead back on and pull a lead off one of the spark plugs. Stick an old spare plug in the end of the HT lead, rest the plug on the engine and crank it again. if there's a big spark at the plug then the HT side of things appears okay.
If HT side is not working then could be knackered coil, distributor cap, rotor arm and ignition amplifier.
Is there fuel? If you take the air filter off the AFM, turn the ignition on so the red lights are on the dash board, but do not crank it. If you stick your finger up into the AFM and move the internal flap the fuel pump should kick in and you will hear it running. If it does not run it could be the fuel pump relay or the fuel pump itself.
Double check that the engine and AFM both have good earths present. Sometimes the earths fall off!
Try the basics and only change/check one bit at a time - avoid a scatter gun approach - it will end in sorrow!
One more point but petrol over time does go off. Last year I helped a mate get his old MG Midget going after it had been sat for many years - fuel was there, spark was there but wouldn't fire. Eventually syphoned some new fuel in and all was good.
Is it the earlier flapper injection system or the hot wire?
My experience is with the earlier flapper engines so ignore me if the latter ones:
Checking HT system - Take the king lead off the top of the distributor and place the end close to a section of the earthed engine and crank the engine - is there a big fat spark? If so put the king lead back on and pull a lead off one of the spark plugs. Stick an old spare plug in the end of the HT lead, rest the plug on the engine and crank it again. if there's a big spark at the plug then the HT side of things appears okay.
If HT side is not working then could be knackered coil, distributor cap, rotor arm and ignition amplifier.
Is there fuel? If you take the air filter off the AFM, turn the ignition on so the red lights are on the dash board, but do not crank it. If you stick your finger up into the AFM and move the internal flap the fuel pump should kick in and you will hear it running. If it does not run it could be the fuel pump relay or the fuel pump itself.
Double check that the engine and AFM both have good earths present. Sometimes the earths fall off!
Try the basics and only change/check one bit at a time - avoid a scatter gun approach - it will end in sorrow!
One more point but petrol over time does go off. Last year I helped a mate get his old MG Midget going after it had been sat for many years - fuel was there, spark was there but wouldn't fire. Eventually syphoned some new fuel in and all was good.
Edited by KKson on Wednesday 12th October 20:01
If there's a spark and fuel then is there compression? Worth popping the spark plugs out and sticking a compression tester on.
Other issue could be just bad timing. Has anyone pulled the dissy out and put it back incorrectly? If all other tests prove negative then would be worth taking No 1 plug out, put a socket on the front pulley central nut and turning to check for compression and confirming TDC. Then double check No 1 plug is correctly lined up on the dissy for the spark.
Other issue could be just bad timing. Has anyone pulled the dissy out and put it back incorrectly? If all other tests prove negative then would be worth taking No 1 plug out, put a socket on the front pulley central nut and turning to check for compression and confirming TDC. Then double check No 1 plug is correctly lined up on the dissy for the spark.
Hi
Is the fuel pump cranking/Working?
There is also one red "Pektron" relay which is the steering module relay...That controls the main relay and fuel pump relay...You would need to swap it for one the same...They are not cheap but if you can test the old one first to make sure its working.
Ziga
Is the fuel pump cranking/Working?
There is also one red "Pektron" relay which is the steering module relay...That controls the main relay and fuel pump relay...You would need to swap it for one the same...They are not cheap but if you can test the old one first to make sure its working.
Ziga
Whereabouts are you in Norfolk?
Good advice above plus if it's been standing a while I would add a fuel pre-filter before the pump to catch any rust flakes that come out of the tanks. Plus put a teaspoon of oil down each plug hole and turn it over, then replace the plugs.
Check the fuel pressure is at least there, sparks are coming both at the king lead then at one of the plug leads to prove the dizzy is working OK.
Good advice above plus if it's been standing a while I would add a fuel pre-filter before the pump to catch any rust flakes that come out of the tanks. Plus put a teaspoon of oil down each plug hole and turn it over, then replace the plugs.
Check the fuel pressure is at least there, sparks are coming both at the king lead then at one of the plug leads to prove the dizzy is working OK.
I've read the question over and over again, and the way I understand it, is that he is not looking for a diagnosis on the forum but rather an enthusiast in the area familiar with these engines to go round and sort it for him. Surely if he was looking for an on line diagnosis he would have given more information on his findings from the basic checks he has carried out. There is not enough information on that thread to be able to even guess what's wrong. So, come on you local enthusiasts in Norfolk, get your skates on. 
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
john-liqmn said:
me and a clever chap with his probe went through the basics for half a day to see if we could pin point a definite fault..but unfortunately not.
Even people with years of knowledge surrounding these cars struggle to diagnose..I don't think there is any one person who can point straight at a part and say..."There's your problem"They will have the car for ages and it will cost a fortune..As an example my 350i in the hands of one of the previous owners spent 13.5K...(I have the receipts) in 6 years chasing an electrical mis-fire..The list of work and parts changed range from new injectors...Re-built ECU..Engine work...Hopefully cam...New consumables and sone re-wiring, This was all done by a TVR "Specialist" Whatever that is?...And the problem was still present...Then i come along..
Im absolutely useless with a multi-meter and not ashamed to admit it but I'm methodical in my approach to anything...(Don't worry Glen I'm not going to post the pic
)So after meticulously checking hidden wires under tape and rubber boots i find a twisted bare CTS wire under the rubber boot...Bingo...Thanks to the man who paid out all that money for no resolve as its given me a good car...:_
You are halfway there with your clever mate..Just keep doing what you are doing...You will find it...And then you will be able to share the symptom and the cure on here so that other enthusiasts can try the same...Thats what these forums are all about...
There are some very knowledgable people on here who no doubt have had years of experience with these cars...These people are true "Enthusiasts"..I have learn tons and always share what i have learnt, Thats what its all about.
Personally i would say that 90% of the issues with these old beasts are simple fixes..People over complicate them and end up with dead cars...
ALWAYS check one thing at a time and then test...Scattergun = The lottery.
It is also very rewarding when you can understand the fault and then fix it...
You are in safe hands on here....
Ziga
PS: If you haven't fixed it by next July then bring it to the Wedgefest...Im sure all of us will get it going...
Edited by mrzigazaga on Friday 14th October 11:02
ElvisWedgely said:
I've read the question over and over again, and the way I understand it, is that he is not looking for a diagnosis on the forum but rather an enthusiast in the area familiar with these engines to go round...
I agree, but before I went (if it were this end of Norfolk) I would want some feedback on the basic checks so I knew it would be using my specialist knowledge to the full.Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff