High idling speed

[keiths]

I've had my 96 Griff 500 for a week now, I noticed the idle was a little 'sticky' when I bought the car, but now it's gone t*ts. Idles at 1600-2000 rpm, when I rev it a little, it drops back to 7-800 then shoots back to 2k. If I switch off and then switch back on again it *seems* to cure it, i.e. idle drops back to around 1100 rpm, but as I don't know if thats the correct idle speed I'm not sure if something in the electronics department is a bit screwed, or if fiddling with something like the base idle might cure it

I have done a search on PH for idling probs and seen a couple of old posts on the subject, but before I go parting with my hard earned, I thought I'd ask you lovverly peeps if there might be something I have missed.

I've cleaned the stepper motor, but that made no difference. I did notice something yesterday that sounded a little strange, as I was in the process of getting the roof off the car, I switched the ignition on so I could hit the boot switch and when I switched off the ignition (engine wasn't running) there was a wierd "graunching" noise. Was that the stepper motor??

I assured my missus that we wouldn't be getting major bills as the Griff was relatively new compared to the TVR it replaced. Anyone suggest the best way to cure the problem? Not the wife that is, I mean the car

Keith

[GreenV8S]

quote:I've had my 96 Griff 500 for a week now, I noticed the idle was a little 'sticky' when I bought the car, but now it's gone t*ts. Idles at 1600-2000 rpm, when I rev it a little, it drops back to 7-800 then shoots back to 2k. If I switch off and then switch back on again it *seems* to cure it, i.e. idle drops back to around 1100 rpm, but as I don't know if thats the correct idle speed I'm not sure if something in the electronics department is a bit screwed, or if fiddling with something like the base idle might cure it

I have done a search on PH for idling probs and seen a couple of old posts on the subject, but before I go parting with my hard earned, I thought I'd ask you lovverly peeps if there might be something I have missed.

I've cleaned the stepper motor, but that made no difference. I did notice something yesterday that sounded a little strange, as I was in the process of getting the roof off the car, I switched the ignition on so I could hit the boot switch and when I switched off the ignition (engine wasn't running) there was a wierd "graunching" noise. Was that the stepper motor??

I assured my missus that we wouldn't be getting major bills as the Griff was relatively new compared to the TVR it replaced. Anyone suggest the best way to cure the problem? Not the wife that is, I mean the car

Keith

You should hear the stepper motor move as you turn the ignition off, it's only audible if the engine is stopped. Kind of rattling noise. Worth checking the base idle and also if the problem persists check that the throttle butterfly is clean. Then you're into road speed sensor, throttle pot, air leaks, all that sort of stuff. You really don't want to go there ...

[KeithS]

quote:
You should hear the stepper motor move as you turn the ignition off, it's only audible if the engine is stopped. Kind of rattling noise. Worth checking the base idle and also if the problem persists check that the throttle butterfly is clean. Then you're into road speed sensor, throttle pot, air leaks, all that sort of stuff. You really don't want to go there ...

Thanks for the quick response.

I've only heard the rattling/graunching noise once when switching the ignition off, perhaps the stepper is faulty? It was allegedly changed 2,000 miles ago, but then again the car had only done 2k in 2 years until I bought it.

I'll check the throttle butterfly tonight, but as you say I don't really want to get into throttle pots, sensors etc.. I hope this is easy to fix, as big bills are not an option at the moment!

[chrish]

In my experience there are few things to check like:
Remove the Jubibilee clip that holds the rubber duct onto the throttle body and clean out any gunge if any around the throttle body intake.
Do you know how to check the base idle?
Do you know how to check the pot voltage?
If not contact Mark Adams who is expert in these things . Whereabous are you as he is in the sarth. His contact details are in Sprint (mag for TVRCC). If your are not in the TVRCC then get a copy off someone else or join it quick.
Cheers
Chris

[KeithS]

quote:
In my experience there are few things to check like:
Remove the Jubibilee clip that holds the rubber duct onto the throttle body and clean out any gunge if any around the throttle body intake.
Do you know how to check the base idle?
Do you know how to check the pot voltage?
If not contact Mark Adams who is expert in these things . Whereabous are you as he is in the sarth. His contact details are in Sprint (mag for TVRCC). If your are not in the TVRCC then get a copy off someone else or join it quick.
Cheers
Chris

Thanks Chris for the info, I am a member of TVRCC and I live in Worcestershire. I've got some notes about the base idle somewhere, something along the lines of screw right in then undo one and a half turns (I'm at work and don't have my notes to hand)? Pot voltage - you're into the realms of trizzits there, which rules me out as I can wire up a 13 amp plug but thats about it!

I've got to go to Clarks TVR at Bromsgrove this afternoon anyway, so I may ask them.

[chrish]

Keith,
Why dont you take it back to whoever you bought it from and get it fixed? Or did you buy it privately? Any dealer worth his salt would fix it as a good will gesture if not isn't it under warranty?
This needs to be done systematically.
You could always ask Adrian Venn (see Sprint) who is VERY helpful.
Chris

[KeithS]

OK folks, I think cleaning the stepper motor last night DID fix the problem. I had to go to Clarks TVR this afternoon for some new number plates and the tick over was perfect (900 rpm, does that sound right?), apart from it ever so slightly sticking when hot in traffic. When I cleaned the stepper yesterday I only tried it briefly while it was sat on the drive, instead of taking it for a run. Doh!

Thanks once again for the help and suggestions all!

Keith

[rick.e]

My car, a 2000 Griff 500 very occasionally does something similar, but not often enough to worry about. I have spoken to my dealer who said ...yes you've guessed it "they all do that sir". He claimed that this is a common problem on the 5 litre engine.

(I have noticed that each time this has happened the weather has been a little damp, but I've not proved this out yet)

[KeithS]

I will keep an eye on it, just in case, but it does seem to be much better now.

I still can't get over the performance of the beast though, its truly stunning!

[mel]

Had the battery been disconnected or the ECU unplugged ???

It's just mine did a similar thing for a time after I changed the battery, I then got told your meant to leave them to idle for 20minutes to do a relearn or something after it had been left ticking over for a bit it calmed down and hasn't done it since

[KeithS]

quote:
Had the battery been disconnected or the ECU unplugged ???

It's just mine did a similar thing for a time after I changed the battery, I then got told your meant to leave them to idle for 20minutes to do a relearn or something after it had been left ticking over for a bit it calmed down and hasn't done it since

I haven't disconnected either since I bought the car a week ago, but the guy I bought it off said that it did have a new battery on it fairly recently, I will check the bills to see when.