In one night, it's all gone wrong!

[ChimeraWolf]

Help!

Right... in one night, this is what has happened:

1) One brake light working intermittently.
2) One headlight not working properly.
3) The clutch has died.
4) The driver's side door mechanism has gone mad.

It was all fine yesterday!

A question about the clutch, hopefully someone can help. When I depress it, it sort of sticks if I put it all the way down and it has loads of play in the arm (which it didn't have 4 hours ago). I've also noticed a major loss in power. Has it kicked the bucket? If so, how much will it be to replace?

And what's happened to the door?! It wasn't doing that when I went out! When you open the door or press the central locking, the motor in the door has a fit!

Someone please help! It's all going wrong and I can feel a HUGE bill coming on. It's about 95 miles away from it's 24000 mile service and is a 97 P reg.

Cheers,
Shane

[Marshy]

Clutch sounds like it might just be the hydraulic actuation bit of things that's bitten the dust. Perhaps a leak, or plain lack of fluid?

Could just be talking out of my *** though, it has gone 2am!

[ChimeraWolf]

I dunno, but was fine on the way home from work!!



Cheers,
Shane

[shpub]

If you are lucky it is a simply clutch fluid leak from the master cylinder. If you are slightly less fortunate, the fluid may have caused the electrical problems you are talking about. If you want a nice bill, the clutch has died (could be a mechanical problem but it is still a gearbox out job and while you are at it you might as well do the clutch as the labour is usually the dominent cost.

Try looking and seeing if you there is any clutch fluid dripping onto the crapet, under it or anywhere near it. Failing that off with the inspection panel and check the level. Topping up might get you enough clutch to get the car to a garage.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
PS if I had to guess... clutch master cylinder has just died. 50 pnds ish for a new one and some labour.

>> Edited by shpub on Thursday 31st January 10:05

[pbrettle]

Would agree with Steve on this. Although clutches do occassionally just "go", this is rare and normally you have some indication that they are failing - slipping under load, juddering on take off, sticking in gear, vibration etc.... By the sounds of things something has gone with either the master cylinder or any pipes from it. Worth checking for leaks.

I had some strange problems with lights and a long chat with the technicians at David Gerald should help me in the long term. Wiring loom seems to change from car to car (I have a 94 4.0HC), but in general the loom is OK for wear and tear. The usual places cause the problems - gromits, connection blocks and junctions. Check the rear light cluster for any dodgy connections and if you can be bothered, the front lights also. Beyond that the rest of the loom for the lights is sheilded (well protected anyway) and unlikely to suffer problems.

Again, Steve is probably right. If you have a leak from anything like the clutch master cylinder then this will cause shorting problems - it is above the drivers footwell where a load of the loom goes to (between the door and the front wheel). Lots of things go there and likely that it is causing some havok.

Hope this helps and that you get it working again soon. Sorry to hear about the problems.

Cheers,

Paul

[buzzsaw]

I have noticed a small leak (weeping really) from the rubber grommet, between the footwell & the engine bay, through which the clutch actuator rod goes. There is also sometimes a bit of 'sticktion' when the clutch is fully depressed against the footwell. Could this be a leaking master cylinder? I haven't had the car too long so not sure if this is normal or not.

[vinny]

Mine did this, all it needed was a top up in the resevour and hay prestow was cured. couldnt find a leak or anything, just low fluid.
4.0 N reg Chimp

[ChimeraWolf]

Cheers for the help guys!

I'll go and check all this out in a while. It is strange though how one minute everything was fine and the next nothing worked!

Anyone have any ideas about the strange noise coming from my door mechanism? If it's electrical, it could be related... hmmm... I'm gonna go check it out!

Cheers,
Shane

[Ford Prefect]

If you've got the door release underneath the side mirror I was told by a dealer that the release switch contacts can get wet, leak current and hey presto you get a funny clicking noise from the release mechanism and not much else! Answer was to dry out the switch connections and increase the insulation. As to how you get to the switch I can't help cos my problem turned out to be the lock itself having worked loose on the door.

[Preston1990]

Wolf,

1. Clutch - no idea but previous Pistonheader's suggestions sound likely.

2. Brake Light - Try changing the bulb in the intermittent brake light. Mine was doing this. I suspected the lamp assembly or loom connections but it turned out to be the filament within the bulb shaking around and alternatively making and losing contact. New bulb cured the problem.

3. Nasty noise from door - Sounds like the solenoid problem I had. Dreadfull buzzing noise. New solenoid cured the problem. Around £30 for the part from dealer. If memory serves me correctly approx 3/4 hr dealer labour to fit. All in all about £60 for dealer to supply and fit. If you do it yourself access to solenoid is under carpeted flap at side of seat behind door.

Try searching for my previous posting under key words "door solenoid".

Trust that this may help.

Regards

Preston1990 (Complete TVR postcard collection one day!)

[ChimeraWolf]

Hey Preston,

Thanks for the info. I took my baby to the dealer, and they told me that clutch seems to be a hydraulic problem - going to be fixed at service and is under warranty.

The brake seems to be alright now after I took the bulb out and put it back in. Probably just a bit loose!

You're right about the solenoid. It's kinda embarassing when I open the door! Makes a terrible noise! Dealer is gonna fix that too!

Thanks!
Shane