Problem when pressing black switch

[tvr_edd]

Good Morning all.

My car is unfortunately living outside due to delivery of a new shed taking up half the gagrage

The car has got wet due to the rain (which i think has caused the problem)

When you press the black button to turn ignition on you can hear a pump prime (which i presume is fuel pump but please enlighten me if not?)

Well this pump normally turns off after few seconds but it is now staying permanently on, and you can hear its whirring in the passenger side of the engine bay.
Is this a big problem? I started the car and it started fine but i didn't run it long or drive it.

Should i be worried and anyone know what the pump is, problem is car is so noisy when its running you can't tell if the pumps still whirring

[Aerofoil]

From memory you should hear that noise until you start the engine. It is to inform you that the pump is ok so you are good to start.

[tvr_edd]

Hmmm i'm sure it used to turn off after a few seconds.........maybe i am going crazy?

or maybe it just seems louder than usual?

It's also defintely a pump whining from the passenger side in engine bay near footwell, so this could be a different pump to a fule pump in the boot?

[cossiemetro]

i think the pump stays on until the fuel rail is primed/pressured but water is normally the culprit

[carl_w]

Aerofoil said:

From memory you should hear that noise until you start the engine. It is to inform you that the pump is ok so you are good to start.

I'm not sure they actually made the pump noisy to inform you that it's OK.

Personally mine's louder when starting from hot. I presume that due to fuel vaporization it's pumping some air too.

[tvr_edd]

So should i be worried or not guys or just drive the car as normal and check it's running right?

The car's going to Jools next week so will ask him to have a look

[Aerofoil]

carl_w said:

Aerofoil said:

From memory you should hear that noise until you start the engine. It is to inform you that the pump is ok so you are good to start.

I'm not sure they actually made the pump noisy to inform you that it's OK.

Personally mine's louder when starting from hot. I presume that due to fuel vaporization it's pumping some air too.

Thats what Fernies told me, if you can't hear the buzzing noise then don't try and start the engine. Might be rubbish

[tvr_edd]

So the concensus is that even though its got noisier than normal that i shouldnt worry and that it may be staying on longer because the engine/car has got wet???

Cheers

[Cyclone1]

tvr_edd said:

So the concensus is that even though its got noisier than normal that i shouldnt worry and that it may be staying on longer because the engine/car has got wet???

Cheers

The pump usually makes a noise for about 3-4 secs, thereafter it stops, at this point I usually re-press the black button to start the car. Both Cerbs I have had did this. If it's going in to TCS next week then I'd let Joolz have a look.

Jules.

[tvr_edd]

Cyclone - thanks, that is exactly what mine used to do, go on for 3-4 secs then stop and now it is on constantly (although didnt have button pressed for more than 15 seconds)

However car started fine and had good oil pressure etc.

Should i risk driving it?

[thegreengoblet]

The starting procedure should be:
1) push the black button and wait until the fuel pump stops priming - normally 3 to 5 seconds.
2) Depress the clutch fully and hold
3) Depress the throttle about an inch and hold
4) Hold down the black button until she fires up (release the button as soon as she fires up)
5) release both pedals ensuring you're not in gear.

[Cyclone1]

thegreengoblet said:

The starting procedure should be:
1) push the black button and wait until the fuel pump stops priming - normally 3 to 5 seconds.
2) Depress the clutch fully and hold
3) Depress the throttle about an inch and hold
4) Hold down the black button until she fires up (release the button as soon as she fires up)
5) release both pedals ensuring you're not in gear.

Why depress the clutch when starting the car, especially if it's not in gear?

[satman]

Cyclone1 said:

thegreengoblet said:

The starting procedure should be:
1) push the black button and wait until the fuel pump stops priming - normally 3 to 5 seconds.
2) Depress the clutch fully and hold
3) Depress the throttle about an inch and hold
4) Hold down the black button until she fires up (release the button as soon as she fires up)
5) release both pedals ensuring you're not in gear.

Why depress the clutch when starting the car, especially if it's not in gear?

Ive always done this...probably more out of habit more than anything else...but i did read some where...not sure where...that by depressing the clutch upon start up, releases friction through clutch to gearbox and less force required to turn engine over...think thats correct, but have been known to talk complete bo$$ox from time to time...

[tvr_edd]

thegreengoblet said:

The starting procedure should be:
1) push the black button and wait until the fuel pump stops priming - normally 3 to 5 seconds.
2) Depress the clutch fully and hold
3) Depress the throttle about an inch and hold
4) Hold down the black button until she fires up (release the button as soon as she fires up)
5) release both pedals ensuring you're not in gear.

Thanks for that, although i wasn't asking how to start the car........

[thegreengoblet]

tvr_edd said:

thegreengoblet said:

The starting procedure should be:
1) push the black button and wait until the fuel pump stops priming - normally 3 to 5 seconds.
2) Depress the clutch fully and hold
3) Depress the throttle about an inch and hold
4) Hold down the black button until she fires up (release the button as soon as she fires up)
5) release both pedals ensuring you're not in gear.

Thanks for that, although i wasn't asking how to start the car........

Yeah sorry. It just came across that not everyone understood the relavance of the fuel pump priming noise.

Just to answer the clutch issue... I was told by the dealership that because of the lack of oil coating when turning over the engine from a cold start, depressing the clutch decreases the friction on the flywheel spinning which in turn lessens the load on the starter.

[tvr_edd]

Still helpful as i don't press the clutch down

but always starts okay, but will start to do this from now on...

[marcus1970]

thegreengoblet said:

The starting procedure should be:
1) push the black button and wait until the fuel pump stops priming - normally 3 to 5 seconds.
2) Depress the clutch fully and hold
3) Depress the throttle about an inch and hold
4) Hold down the black button until she fires up (release the button as soon as she fires up)
5) release both pedals ensuring you're not in gear.

6) Don't forget to pat your head and make circling motions with your eyebrows - I always do this!



MB

[Neil P]

Sorry Edd did you say passenger side in the engine bay? or did you mean passenger side rear. If it's the rear then its the pump, if not who knows what the whirring noise is.

[bigjohnboy]

I had a very similar problem after mine came back from the bodyshop,found the passenger footwell wet ! took the carpet out and found small amount of water in ECU housing. I dried this out and has been fine since.
John

[ireland]

I've been under my car tonight and the pump is definitely at the back LHS of the car, just under the tank.