Am I happy? Couple of issues...
Discussion
Here we go.....
Went to collect my Griffith 500 today. Had to wait to pick it up for a few reasons I won't bore you with.
Am I happy with it?! Oh lord yes!!!
But.....
1, ice warning led won't go out even as today was 20c+ all the time I was driving said Griffith home (110 miles). Ignition on, led goes red, couple of seconds later, goes amber and stays that way until engine off.
2, when leaving the seller after picking it up, he kindly filled the car up with fuel.
The trip meter was reading 450 odd miles so I thought reset it and we can work out a rough MPG on the run home..
Trip meter got to 14.3 miles and stopped working. Odometer also stopped.
Wierd one, but not only did they stop, the Speedo reading was weird. Anything under 30mph and it bounced around and usually landed on 0mph. When the car exceeds 30mph, it bursts into life and works as it should. Drop back to under 35ish and starts bouncing and drop down to 0 despite still moving at 30mph. Weird.
Most of the drive home (A3-M25-M20) was crusing at appx 65-70mph.
I've read the odometer fail is common. What about the Speedo issue? Rev counter works fine.
Where is the ice warning sensor hiding?
1995 Griffith 500HC.
Other than those issues the car ran like a dream all the way home.
HELP!!!! (Please).
Went to collect my Griffith 500 today. Had to wait to pick it up for a few reasons I won't bore you with.
Am I happy with it?! Oh lord yes!!!
But.....
1, ice warning led won't go out even as today was 20c+ all the time I was driving said Griffith home (110 miles). Ignition on, led goes red, couple of seconds later, goes amber and stays that way until engine off.
2, when leaving the seller after picking it up, he kindly filled the car up with fuel.
The trip meter was reading 450 odd miles so I thought reset it and we can work out a rough MPG on the run home..
Trip meter got to 14.3 miles and stopped working. Odometer also stopped.
Wierd one, but not only did they stop, the Speedo reading was weird. Anything under 30mph and it bounced around and usually landed on 0mph. When the car exceeds 30mph, it bursts into life and works as it should. Drop back to under 35ish and starts bouncing and drop down to 0 despite still moving at 30mph. Weird.
Most of the drive home (A3-M25-M20) was crusing at appx 65-70mph.
I've read the odometer fail is common. What about the Speedo issue? Rev counter works fine.
Where is the ice warning sensor hiding?
1995 Griffith 500HC.
Other than those issues the car ran like a dream all the way home.
HELP!!!! (Please).
What makes you think that?
Cars charging ok. Long run home after the Speedo started to misbehave.
Popped into a mates house after said 110 mile drive and the car span over better than all day.
If the 100amp fuse died when the Speedo started to misbehave that little battery would have had to run the car for nearly 2 hours and all that time the radio was on loud'ish.
Just googled a Griffith speed sensor and powers performance sell one. Maybe it's just a dodgy sensor or perhaps my sensor needs a good scrub clean.
Cars charging ok. Long run home after the Speedo started to misbehave.
Popped into a mates house after said 110 mile drive and the car span over better than all day.
If the 100amp fuse died when the Speedo started to misbehave that little battery would have had to run the car for nearly 2 hours and all that time the radio was on loud'ish.
Just googled a Griffith speed sensor and powers performance sell one. Maybe it's just a dodgy sensor or perhaps my sensor needs a good scrub clean.
My last Chimaera and my current Griff both had speedos that burst into life at about 20 - 25 mph. you could mess about with the transducer gap but I wouldn't recommend it.
Sticky odometer is common too but usually at ***99 or **999. (I'm presuming it's not a digital one?) Some tapping of the face whilst at speed gets it going again, although it can re-start on its own.
If it's happening randomly and not at **99, it may be about to pack in altogether . 
The trip meter and main odometer are connected of course, so 'firm' resetting of the trip can persuade it to re-start too.
Sticky odometer is common too but usually at ***99 or **999. (I'm presuming it's not a digital one?) Some tapping of the face whilst at speed gets it going again, although it can re-start on its own.
If it's happening randomly and not at **99, it may be about to pack in altogether . The trip meter and main odometer are connected of course, so 'firm' resetting of the trip can persuade it to re-start too.I just watched a video on YouTube with a chap with a chimeara.
Looks like it's the speed sensor on the rear diff.
I'll get a new. Bit if a fiddle to fit but far from rocket science.
Dial it in to have a 0.3mm gap and hopefully all's good. I'll clean the teeth on the sensor ring (giant reluctor ring a'la abs sensor rings) as a claggy/slightly rusty ring would mess around with the signal.
It's simply a hall effect system.
As for the odometer etc....
I'll try the 'tap' the clock and also as read try the give it the beans in reverse and beans forward trick..
Failing that, the cars going to powers soon for the MBC upgrade so they can give the Speedo a good kicking and if they deem it buggered get it fixed as they expect my car to be with them for 3-4 weeks.
Looks like it's the speed sensor on the rear diff.
I'll get a new. Bit if a fiddle to fit but far from rocket science.
Dial it in to have a 0.3mm gap and hopefully all's good. I'll clean the teeth on the sensor ring (giant reluctor ring a'la abs sensor rings) as a claggy/slightly rusty ring would mess around with the signal.
It's simply a hall effect system.
As for the odometer etc....
I'll try the 'tap' the clock and also as read try the give it the beans in reverse and beans forward trick..
Failing that, the cars going to powers soon for the MBC upgrade so they can give the Speedo a good kicking and if they deem it buggered get it fixed as they expect my car to be with them for 3-4 weeks.
There used to be some upgraded ones for sale in the classifieds but I can’t seem to find the parts section any more.
Fitted one to my Chim, had a slightly better range so didn’t have to set so close.
Ice warning should glow red, amber and green from memory at different temperatures, the handbook should explain it.
Sensor found at front of car somewhere, but someone else will have to confirm where.
Fitted one to my Chim, had a slightly better range so didn’t have to set so close.
Ice warning should glow red, amber and green from memory at different temperatures, the handbook should explain it.
Sensor found at front of car somewhere, but someone else will have to confirm where.
Edited by Belle427 on Monday 3rd July 06:38
NicBowman said:
Ice sensor is in the front air intake, passenger side. Tiny thing soldered in to two loose wires. Cost me £4 to replace.
Nic
Many thanks. Nic
I'm not working today. Waiting for delivery of a snazzy cover for the car. Also, had a busy weekend so took the day off to rest a bit. I'll look for said ice sensor at some point today.
Research shows 2 types. Both only about £4.
One is referred to as disc type and the other looks like a simple online tiny cylinder shape resistor.
When I've identified which one I have I'll get a new one.
Anything in my life bugs the living hell out of me if it's there, MUST work properly.
Absolutely no 'that'll do' in my life.
Thanks for letting me know.
Harvy500 said:
Here we go.....
Went to collect my Griffith 500 today. Had to wait to pick it up for a few reasons I won't bore you with.
Am I happy with it?! Oh lord yes!!!
But.....
1, ice warning led won't go out even as today was 20c+ all the time I was driving said Griffith home (110 miles). Ignition on, led goes red, couple of seconds later, goes amber and stays that way until engine off.
2, when leaving the seller after picking it up, he kindly filled the car up with fuel.
The trip meter was reading 450 odd miles so I thought reset it and we can work out a rough MPG on the run home..
Trip meter got to 14.3 miles and stopped working. Odometer also stopped.
Wierd one, but not only did they stop, the Speedo reading was weird. Anything under 30mph and it bounced around and usually landed on 0mph. When the car exceeds 30mph, it bursts into life and works as it should. Drop back to under 35ish and starts bouncing and drop down to 0 despite still moving at 30mph. Weird.
Most of the drive home (A3-M25-M20) was crusing at appx 65-70mph.
I've read the odometer fail is common. What about the Speedo issue? Rev counter works fine.
Where is the ice warning sensor hiding?
1995 Griffith 500HC.
Other than those issues the car ran like a dream all the way home.
HELP!!!! (Please).
Welcome to the world of TVR cars. Famous saying about any TVR.......TADTS.Went to collect my Griffith 500 today. Had to wait to pick it up for a few reasons I won't bore you with.
Am I happy with it?! Oh lord yes!!!
But.....
1, ice warning led won't go out even as today was 20c+ all the time I was driving said Griffith home (110 miles). Ignition on, led goes red, couple of seconds later, goes amber and stays that way until engine off.
2, when leaving the seller after picking it up, he kindly filled the car up with fuel.
The trip meter was reading 450 odd miles so I thought reset it and we can work out a rough MPG on the run home..
Trip meter got to 14.3 miles and stopped working. Odometer also stopped.
Wierd one, but not only did they stop, the Speedo reading was weird. Anything under 30mph and it bounced around and usually landed on 0mph. When the car exceeds 30mph, it bursts into life and works as it should. Drop back to under 35ish and starts bouncing and drop down to 0 despite still moving at 30mph. Weird.
Most of the drive home (A3-M25-M20) was crusing at appx 65-70mph.
I've read the odometer fail is common. What about the Speedo issue? Rev counter works fine.
Where is the ice warning sensor hiding?
1995 Griffith 500HC.
Other than those issues the car ran like a dream all the way home.
HELP!!!! (Please).
Bullitt 1 said:
I think with your ADHD, you might have brought the wrong make of car, only joking, best of luck with your new adventure
Lol. I paid less than 12k for it. Chassis is great. Outriggers done by Fernhurst TVR earlier this year. Hell of a lot of work brakes arms major service etc done in April with a bill for £5700.
Car paint totally repainted end of last year.
Few things that need doing but if it was perfect I'd have little to do in my spare time..
I'm very happy with the car.
Give it a few months and it'll be as good as it can be.
What's wrong with being fussy? Lol.
If it need a LOT of work, that's still pretty cheap IMHO. I'd expect a car that is classed as a 'runner' but barely moves under its own power to fetch that, but after a major service, recent respray and new brakes and outriggers?! 
Was the seller a bit desperate? On the face of it it seems more like a £20k example.
Edited To Add: I've seen the car in another thread now and I see it's done 100k miles. We all know cars explode or drop to bits at 100k... Not. Still a cliff for many potential buyers so may be part of the reason. Hope you enjoy it. 
Was the seller a bit desperate? On the face of it it seems more like a £20k example.
Edited To Add: I've seen the car in another thread now and I see it's done 100k miles. We all know cars explode or drop to bits at 100k...
Not. Still a cliff for many potential buyers so may be part of the reason. Hope you enjoy it. Edited by sixor8 on Friday 7th July 20:21
The engine is 100%.
It'll be 116.87% after Dom at Powers has fitted the MBE pack, new 21st century fuel injectors, Kent 885 cam, carbon 45mm trumpets, larger throttle body along with ACT exhaust manifolds and decatted Y pipe.
After that, new dash, new carpets and the seats will be retrimmed.
Today I spent some time cleaning and greasing the worm gears on the windows. Now they work very nicely.
Did a couple of other small jobs that were bugging me.
It'll be 116.87% after Dom at Powers has fitted the MBE pack, new 21st century fuel injectors, Kent 885 cam, carbon 45mm trumpets, larger throttle body along with ACT exhaust manifolds and decatted Y pipe.
After that, new dash, new carpets and the seats will be retrimmed.
Today I spent some time cleaning and greasing the worm gears on the windows. Now they work very nicely.
Did a couple of other small jobs that were bugging me.
Edited by Harvy500 on Saturday 8th July 18:47
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