T350. Cutting out with no warning.

[admoss]

Hello guys

Had my first breakdown at the weekend :rolleyes: The car just died on me, must be electrical?? Its just like youve turned off the ignition. Then trying to restart, no sound of fuel / power steering pump. Relay fine but doesnt always seem to be switching (like for that 2 second prime when you first turn it on).

Dealer (who is a long long way from me, hence DIY first) suggested looking at a 100w fuse under the air filters. If cracked could be causing these problems.

Anyone any experience of this kind of problem? Does this fuse sound likely at all?

Cheers,
Andrew.

[targarama]

Another possibility is the immobiliser playing up. Does it 'de-immobilise'?

The 100A fuse was a classic problem on the Chimaera/Griffth era cars when it started to break down and stopped the alternator charging the battery (it sits between them). Flat battery etc was the result. Easy fix though.

I'm not saying it isn't the 100A fuse, but I've not heard of one going on a T350/Tamora. I didn't even know we had the same arrangement. I suggest asking on the Tuscan forum as I suspect our electrical layout will be the same as theirs.

T/.

[VYT]

Had something similar when I picked my T350 up at Melbourne port. I had been there a couple of weeks before and got her running no problem, jump start but everything was OK. When I returned to bring her home the usual whir of the fuel pump was missing and the engine would not crank. The alarm was working as normal the immobiliser LED on the Dash seemed OK but the one next to the mirror adjust switch would not quit flashing. I figured the problem must be the immobiliser. Didn't have the manual with me so I set about removing each fuse in turn for 30 sec and then replacing, then trying the ignition to see if the fuel pump would run. Eventually all hell let loose I guess as I reconnected the alarm /immobiliser. I used the key fob to reset the alarm, lock the car and then unlock. Hey presto, fixed. Been fine ever since.

[steve11]

Did it restart after leaving it for few minutes?
When was the last service?
Were you sitting in traffic when it cut out?

[admoss]

steve11 said:

Did it restart after leaving it for few minutes? When was the last service? Were you sitting in traffic when it cut out?

thanks for the replies chaps. To answer your questions Steve.

If its going to restart it will do it almost immediately... ie driving down motorway, car cuts out, coasts for a bit, fires up again. This happend about 3 times in 60 miles.

Last service 6 months / 3000 miles ago

Sitting in traffic or 70 down the motorway, same thing.

Cheers

>> Edited by admoss on Monday 1st August 13:31

[exx]

admoss said:

steve11 said: Did it restart after leaving it for few minutes? When was the last service? Were you sitting in traffic when it cut out? thanks for the replies chaps. To answer your questions Steve. If its going to restart it will do it almost immediately... ie driving down motorway, car cuts out, coasts for a bit, fires up again. This happend about 3 times in 60 miles. Last service 6 months / 3000 miles ago Sitting in traffic or 70 down the motorway, same thing. Cheers >> Edited by admoss on Monday 1st August 13:31

Check your battery connections! Sound like one of them is loose and not always making good contact....

[admoss]

exx said:

admoss said: steve11 said: Did it restart after leaving it for few minutes? When was the last service? Were you sitting in traffic when it cut out? thanks for the replies chaps. To answer your questions Steve. If its going to restart it will do it almost immediately... ie driving down motorway, car cuts out, coasts for a bit, fires up again. This happend about 3 times in 60 miles. Last service 6 months / 3000 miles ago Sitting in traffic or 70 down the motorway, same thing. Cheers >> Edited by admoss on Monday 1st August 13:31 Check your battery connections! Sound like one of them is loose and not always making good contact....

I dont loose all power, just ignition (it seems), fuel pump etc.

[sideways mostly]

exx might be right-I got the same symptoms you describe and it was a loose battery connection-it wasn't tightened up at the factory-DOH!

[exx]

sideways mostly said:

exx might be right-I got the same symptoms you describe and it was a loose battery connection-it wasn't tightened up at the factory-DOH!

I had exactly these symptoms in a non-TVR that cut out in the outside lane of the M25 a few years back. The iffy connection was just about good enough when the car wasn't moving, but every bump had the potential to break the good coonection and the engine could no longer fire..... hazard lights worked though!

[sideways mostly]

NICE!

Great new game to play.
I drove a Range Rover once that lit up its reversing lights every time you braked.
Never seen lanes clear so fast!

[Dougie]

I'm another one who has "had the same thing" - mine was in the Tamora - cut out in the Midlands - RAC came out it started first time, drove back to Kent, and it cut out again 5 miles from home. This time no reprieve. It turned out to be a loose "rollover" switch ie the swith that cuts the fuel to the engine if you are unlucky enough to roll it. 10 min job to fix

[admoss]

Dougie said:

I'm another one who has "had the same thing" - mine was in the Tamora - cut out in the Midlands - RAC came out it started first time, drove back to Kent, and it cut out again 5 miles from home. This time no reprieve. It turned out to be a loose "rollover" switch ie the swith that cuts the fuel to the engine if you are unlucky enough to roll it. 10 min job to fix

Sorry to bump this thread again. Does anyone know how this inertia switch works and how I might best determine if thats my problem. If it triggers, would the relays open? Because thats why my motor is cutting out. The relays are not energised. Also... If I bypass the fuel pump relay can anyone see any danger in doing this (just to get me to the dealers). I imagine the fuel pump runs all the time anyway when your running the car.

Andrew.

[lundinoir]

I had an immobiliser problem where the fuel pump wouldn't engage. I removed both immobiliser fuses and they we're fine so I put them back and voila! My Tamora started with no problems.

I did some further investigation and it turns out that this is common with immobilisers if the battery goes flat (which it did as I was a numpty and didn't full close the boot). By removing and the fuses the circuit for the immobiliser is reset - hopefully this will solve your problem.

[admoss]

Just for completeness (always good if searching later)

It does appear to be the immobiliser at fault. It has two seperate circuits apparently (1. cranking 2. fuel pump and ignition). Reset seems to have done the trick.

Time will tell I guess. Cheers for all your help guys.

Andrew.

[fairclp]

admoss said:

Just for completeness (always good if searching later) It does appear to be the immobiliser at fault. It has two seperate circuits apparently (1. cranking 2. fuel pump and ignition). Reset seems to have done the trick. Time will tell I guess. Cheers for all your help guys. Andrew.

Good to hear you sorted it.

Paul

[targarama]

Are the immobiliser fuses/relays in the same place as all the rest, under the RHS of the steering column?

[tvrmadmarc]

Have you had any interest in your silver rocket yet ?