Ignition relay location
Discussion
Hi all,
Griff wouldn’t start yesterday afternoon. All electrics functioning on the dash, fuel pump primes okay, but absolutely nothing when turning the key to start. AA came out and the car started with a bump-start. Drove home, but same issue when the car was turned off. AA was sure it was the starter motor, but I’ve had starter motor failures before and usually click but fail to turn the car over. Can they fail so that when you turn the key you hear nothing?
I had spare relays and changed the ECU and fuel pump relays in the passenger footwell, but they are all fine and clicking away when turning the key to try and start. I spent yesterday evening reading the bible and internet in relation to the 100 Amp fuses, but all I read suggested those fuses cause total loss of electrics, and the rest of the car electrics are fine. Battery is good too.
What I did read last night is that there should be a relay for the ignition, but where would this be? It’s not on the main fuse board. I know there are two or three other relays higher up behind the glove box, but I don’t know what those ones do. Can anyone say what those relays do, and if the ignition relay isn’t one of those where would it be?
Thanks
Griff wouldn’t start yesterday afternoon. All electrics functioning on the dash, fuel pump primes okay, but absolutely nothing when turning the key to start. AA came out and the car started with a bump-start. Drove home, but same issue when the car was turned off. AA was sure it was the starter motor, but I’ve had starter motor failures before and usually click but fail to turn the car over. Can they fail so that when you turn the key you hear nothing?
I had spare relays and changed the ECU and fuel pump relays in the passenger footwell, but they are all fine and clicking away when turning the key to try and start. I spent yesterday evening reading the bible and internet in relation to the 100 Amp fuses, but all I read suggested those fuses cause total loss of electrics, and the rest of the car electrics are fine. Battery is good too.
What I did read last night is that there should be a relay for the ignition, but where would this be? It’s not on the main fuse board. I know there are two or three other relays higher up behind the glove box, but I don’t know what those ones do. Can anyone say what those relays do, and if the ignition relay isn’t one of those where would it be?
Thanks
Hi, no engine turning will be starter or circuit to power the starter. This passes through the immobiliser on later Griffs. Not on early. Mine did this and I bypassed the immobiliser, a simple wire from ignition switch to the post immobiliser connector in the passenger footwell. Pm me if you want details. Folks worry about security when bypassing immobiliser.
It won’t be ignition. If the starter doesn’t turn its the starter….
Nic
Ps. Starter relay is missing, a source of much discussion, if you want one buy a hot start kit or just fit one yourself for a fiver if you know how.
It won’t be ignition. If the starter doesn’t turn its the starter….
Nic
Ps. Starter relay is missing, a source of much discussion, if you want one buy a hot start kit or just fit one yourself for a fiver if you know how.
Thanks Nic,
Would the fuel pump prime if the immobiliser was at fault? The alarm system was replaced a few years back by Carl Baker, so I’m hoping it’s not that. Carl also added in a version of the hot start fix in the passenger footwell and that relay seems to be clicking when trying to start too. So I ‘think’ they are okay. I did read something about Chimaera’s having ignition relays, but if Griff’s don’t have them it explains why I’m not seeing one.
Would the fuel pump prime if the immobiliser was at fault? The alarm system was replaced a few years back by Carl Baker, so I’m hoping it’s not that. Carl also added in a version of the hot start fix in the passenger footwell and that relay seems to be clicking when trying to start too. So I ‘think’ they are okay. I did read something about Chimaera’s having ignition relays, but if Griff’s don’t have them it explains why I’m not seeing one.
My griffith certainly has an ignition relay on the main relay/fuse block see here:
http://www.bertram-hill.com/tvr-griffith-ignition....
But note that the starter circuit does not use the relay.
If your starter motor/solenoid is OK then worth checking the ignition key and wiring.
As a quick check to rule out a duff starter/solenoid run a +ve cable from the battery to the starter solenoid connection ( small wire) if nothing then either the solenoid or the motor is duff.
http://www.bertram-hill.com/tvr-griffith-ignition....
But note that the starter circuit does not use the relay.
If your starter motor/solenoid is OK then worth checking the ignition key and wiring.
As a quick check to rule out a duff starter/solenoid run a +ve cable from the battery to the starter solenoid connection ( small wire) if nothing then either the solenoid or the motor is duff.
Edited by Loubaruch on Saturday 17th September 21:38
Quoting “Would the fuel pump prime if the immobiliser was at fault?”
Seems your system non standard, so may not be relevant. But, immobiliser usually controls three circuits, and the starter circuit can fail separately to the others.
Hopefully you have enough advice from the thread. But, looking for power where it should be is often they way to go. Multimeter, check if voltage arrives at starter terminal (hard to get at, needs ramps, plus a friend!) when trying to start.
Seems your system non standard, so may not be relevant. But, immobiliser usually controls three circuits, and the starter circuit can fail separately to the others.
Hopefully you have enough advice from the thread. But, looking for power where it should be is often they way to go. Multimeter, check if voltage arrives at starter terminal (hard to get at, needs ramps, plus a friend!) when trying to start.
Sounding very much like a failed starter. No surprise really when so close to the exhaust manifold.
Disconnect the small wire from the starter solenoid. Fit a test wire in its place and touch it to the positive terminal on the battery.
No crank = dead starter. If the engine cranks then the problem is in the wiring upstream.
Yes the car will have an ignition relay (Relay 5) top row towards the right.
Steve
Disconnect the small wire from the starter solenoid. Fit a test wire in its place and touch it to the positive terminal on the battery.
No crank = dead starter. If the engine cranks then the problem is in the wiring upstream.
Yes the car will have an ignition relay (Relay 5) top row towards the right.
Steve
Edited by Steve_D on Monday 19th September 16:47
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