Here she is, my 3rd TVR
Discussion
Just got back from an interesting trip from South London. Bear in mind she had only done 1000 miles in the last four years, I've just asked her to do a year's worth in a few hours. Not without incident!
Set off, no problem driving through Brixton. For got how warm these things get inside and in traffic. I know, I'll pull over and take the roof off. Two minutes later, all done, ready to go. Turn the key and......nothing. All the dash lights, immobiliser fob done, nothing. Rinse and repeat six or seven times. The AA card weighing heavy in my pocket. Nope, not admitting defeat. I'm on a flat bit of road with some space, bump start. Nobody watching here we go....raa,rrrrrrrrr. Success! Good of the seller to fill the tank for me. Should make it home without needing to stop again. Wrong! Got towards Swindon, funny that fuel gauge hasn't moved. Tap tap, nope still full. Odd. Then we are on seven cylinders, six, oh no! Dive for Jct 14. Nearest fuel station? Mile and a half. Got to within half a mile. Still showing full. Anyway, a green can of super unleaded later and a bump start in reverse (facing up hill you see) and we're off again. Filled up with 52 litres (engine running, say nothing) and head for home. And here we are...
Had a quick rummage in the passenger footwell, lots of verdigris so I'm guessing it's a poor connection somewhere. As I say, everything primes, just no starter or starter solenoid. Any ideas where to look first? Is there a fuse for the starter circuit? I'm assuming a relay might be at fault too.
Oh, and instrument lights weren't on with the headlights. Switch under the dash on the left, on, off, on, off, on, off, on...ahh there we are!
I'm delighted with her by the way.
If it's completely dead (i.e. no click, nothing, but fuel pump has run), don't be surprised if its the relay in the immobiliser. I've had 3 Chimaera and a Griff and twice I've taken a starter off only to discover there's nothing wrong with it. 
Especially if it's OK when cold.
Avail yourself of all the 'hot start' or rather, 'hot doesn't start' threads. There's a lot.
Especially if it's OK when cold. Avail yourself of all the 'hot start' or rather, 'hot doesn't start' threads. There's a lot.
Not the hot start issue. I don't think. Been sat on the drive since five o'clock and just the same.
Will try the hammer in the morning. Don't have much time tomorrow as away until Thursday night. But will give it my best shot. If the hammer doesn't work, I'll start on the electrics.
This car has been left for four effectively.
Will try the hammer in the morning. Don't have much time tomorrow as away until Thursday night. But will give it my best shot. If the hammer doesn't work, I'll start on the electrics.
This car has been left for four effectively.
Tyre Smoke said:
pits said:
You have obviously given the starter a good old t
t with a hammer? They do get sticky if left for a while
Middle of Central London, no. But I will. t with a hammer? They do get sticky if left for a whileFailing that, check the ignition fuse it is one of the end ones in the fusebox in foot well.
I have found myself with 2 (which I know isn’t unusual) but a lot to keep your eye on I viewed this a few weeks back, nice car, as you mentioned lots of work done. I spoke to the original owner who told me that the car had only ever let him down once during his ownership and the issue had been resolved. Check the paper work you have with it, from what I remember there is a hand written correspondence, it could be the same issue.
When we viewed the seller wasn’t there, nice chap in the showroom showed us over the car, at first we couldn’t open the doors, so put this down to a flat battery, when speaking to the owner on the phone he said if they try to start it they may have trouble getting the alarm/immobiliser off, so check that, it could be temperamental? They didn’t attempt to start it, so we left.
Good luck with the car, I think it’s a good one, I was going to return and put a cheeky offer in, but I now have purchased another.
When we viewed the seller wasn’t there, nice chap in the showroom showed us over the car, at first we couldn’t open the doors, so put this down to a flat battery, when speaking to the owner on the phone he said if they try to start it they may have trouble getting the alarm/immobiliser off, so check that, it could be temperamental? They didn’t attempt to start it, so we left.
Good luck with the car, I think it’s a good one, I was going to return and put a cheeky offer in, but I now have purchased another.
Congratulations on your new purchase!
I knew this car a few years back, as a previous owner is a friend of mine. I believe it's had the Carl Baker new alarm/immobiliser fitted some years ago - probably about 6 or 7 years, in fact.
Maybe you know, this car had a full respray and new interior about 8 years ago, not sure how it's all holding up now. Original interior was Portland Grey, I believe.
It was always a reliable car when my chum owned it, with a strong 450 engine. I hope it continues to impress. Good luck!
I knew this car a few years back, as a previous owner is a friend of mine. I believe it's had the Carl Baker new alarm/immobiliser fitted some years ago - probably about 6 or 7 years, in fact.
Maybe you know, this car had a full respray and new interior about 8 years ago, not sure how it's all holding up now. Original interior was Portland Grey, I believe.
It was always a reliable car when my chum owned it, with a strong 450 engine. I hope it continues to impress. Good luck!
Tyre Smoke said:
I reckon it might. I've literally driven from London to Devon, discovered a lot of corroded terminals on top of the battery and no starter. Pushed into the garage until I can get a proper look at her this weekend.
There is a huge box of history with it.
Mr Murray looked after it well. First TVR I ever drove.There is a huge box of history with it.
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