New Tamora owner in need of advice please.....

[fizzer]

Hello All,
I am a Tamora owner of around a couple of months...and so far loving the experience, in general the car is fantastic, although I am still taking things relatively gently with it.
I have a couple of minor niggles though, and was wondering if anyone may have any ideas...they could be related, but as a mecahnical dimwit I'm not sure.
Firstly - after about 15 minutes of driving, the speedometers (analogue and digital) start to mal-function, flipping between 0 and 240mph and anywhere in between, and generally a couple of minutes later both fail and read zero. Then after another 10 minutes or so, they both jump back into life, and appear to work correctly again. This is not a huge problem, but is a little frustrating.
The second issue is a little worse...and again relates to the displays, if I stop the car after anything more than about 5 minutes driving, then when I re-start none of the displays on the digital dash work...just totally blank screens....the car appears to run fine, and the analogue rev counter works ok, and eventually the analogue speedo - but that's it...so have no idea of temps, pressures or petrol level.

Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks in advance Fizzer.

[TurboTomato]

Not sure what the problem is, but should be covered by a warranty if you have one

If you don't it may be worth considering buying a TVR warranty - about £1200 including a wear and tear option that will cover your engine (and clutch iirc)

[honahont350]

fizzer said:

Hello All,
I am a Tamora owner of around a couple of months...and so far loving the experience, in general the car is fantastic, although I am still taking things relatively gently with it.
I have a couple of minor niggles though, and was wondering if anyone may have any ideas...they could be related, but as a mecahnical dimwit I'm not sure.
Firstly - after about 15 minutes of driving, the speedometers (analogue and digital) start to mal-function, flipping between 0 and 240mph and anywhere in between, and generally a couple of minutes later both fail and read zero. Then after another 10 minutes or so, they both jump back into life, and appear to work correctly again. This is not a huge problem, but is a little frustrating.
The second issue is a little worse...and again relates to the displays, if I stop the car after anything more than about 5 minutes driving, then when I re-start none of the displays on the digital dash work...just totally blank screens....the car appears to run fine, and the analogue rev counter works ok, and eventually the analogue speedo - but that's it...so have no idea of temps, pressures or petrol level.

Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks in advance Fizzer.

Sounds like a lose connection to me..or maybe just a faulty fuse.. have a look in the manual and try changing it over. It's a start if nothing else.

[coach]

Re-seat both ribbon cable connections to the pod ECU from the pod - the ecu is floating somewhere in or above the driver's foot well. Make sure it is strapped down and has no water ingress. Check any other connection while you are there

Worked for me. Might also have a duff ribbon cable that has run through - check along whole length

Coach

[Hilti]

Sounds like the speed sensor is causing the malfunction of the speedo, it's a common problem. Could be the chip in the dash ECU that is causing the blank out.

J

[fizzer]

Thanks guys...guess I'll have a fiddle about and see if i can find anything loose, but don't hold out too much hope, as it seems to be associated with the high temperatures we are having at the moment...the blanking out co-incided with the heatwave!

[nubbin]

I'd tend to think the ribbon cables are loose as well - but the connections to the ECU are quite strong clamps, so it could be at the dash end. It is quite simple to remove the dash pod "cowl" by unscrewing the two Allen bolts which are underneath. You'll see the two cables which should be zip-tied to the connectors. Just check everything is tight.

[T66ORA]

Fault one is definately speedo sensor.
Fault two is a problem i have had on half a dozen occassions since i bought mine in October, all i do is turn the key back to off and restart and the display reappears, not sure of the cause, but i tried the ribbon method but it didn`t cure the fault it is something that i just live with now until it becomes the norm.

[ginner]

I had a problem with my Tam screen not firing up in the morning, found that turning it off and back on again sorted it. Had it's first serviecd at the factory and they fitted a new chip in the dash ECU/ apparently it needs the spike from the electronics to warm the crystals up in the morning. New chip sorted it.

Can't acuse TVR's for not having character, come to think of it i need a spike in the morning to get me going.

J

[chris watton]

ginner said:

I had a problem with my Tam screen not firing up in the morning, found that turning it off and back on again sorted it. Had it's first serviecd at the factory and they fitted a new chip in the dash ECU/ apparently it needs the spike from the electronics to warm the crystals up in the morning. New chip sorted it.

Can't acuse TVR's for not having character, come to think of it i need a spike in the morning to get me going.

J

Mine used to do this all the time, but since the ECU went back to Blackpool fto rectify a heater flap prob, it hasn't done it since! I would imagine it's either the ribbon cable working loose or the software version that are at fault.

[lukesr]

Welcome to TVR. I had the same probs with mine fault one will be the speedo sensor and i still have problems with a blank display but nothing a turn off and back on again won't cure