Help - Tuscan won't start/Fuel Pump won't prime

[TUS 2 CON]

Hi - I'm hoping for some help.

I got in the car today (it unlocked fine with the key fob), but when I tried to start the engine - nothing!

In more detail: when I turn the key the first two positions, the dash lights up as usual and the needles on the dials both do their sweep. However there isn't the usual red light showing on the immobiliser slot next to the steering wheel and there is no whirr from the fuel pump when I press the immobiliser button on the key. Then when I then turn the key to the start position, nothing happens.

I'm sure the battery is fine. I have checked all the obvious spade fuses in the fuse box, but they all seem fine. However, I don't know how ti check the relays (? - the cube things in the middle of fuse board) - could the problem be with one of those? Interestingly the 20A fuse marked "Fuel Pump" and Relay 41 Fuel Pump shown here http://www.mytuscan.co.uk/downloads/fuselayout.jpg don't seem to be on by board.

Any ideas? I last used the car on Saturday, but it has been sitting outside in the heavy rain since.

Thank you in anticipation.

[Chim450]

Very likely that your immobiliser is goosed. Exactly the same thing happened to me (no red light on the fob slot). I replaced mine through Dave at HF solutions, was about £120.
In the mean time you could try bypassing the immobiliser, if your fuel pump primes and the car starts then the immobiliser is definitely the culprit.

[ChrisnChris]

Sounds familiar, with mine it was the alarm.
You could give Dave a call 07721 654829 he's been mentioned a few times on the forums, nice chap.

[TUS 2 CON]

Interesting. How do I bypass the immobiliser and where is it normally located?

[Chim450]

TUS 2 CON said:

Interesting. How do I bypass the immobiliser and where is it normally located?

PM me. Obviously not something you want to post on an open forum.

[TUS 2 CON]

Neil told me where the immobliser unit is in a Mk1 Tuscan, but I couldn't find it there on my car.

Does any one know if TVR relocated it for the wavy-dash Mk2's? And if so, where to?

Any PMs greatly received

[Flying Penguin]

Had the same issue last month; could not locate the immobiliser either.
Called roadside assistance and got the car towed from home to a TVR specialist.
Immobiliser dead; replacement incl. labour £400.

[nawarne]

Just a heads up for all.

I had a same/similar issue 2 ~ 3 months ago.
I called Dave at HF solutions and he pointed me to the flat "comms" wire (in a T- configuration. Other leg goes to dallas key port near pod) between the Meta 36 and Meta 99 modules (in driver's footwell ) and said the thin 5-pin plugs can suffer from moisture/crap on the contacts.

Sprayed some cleaner on the plugs and it's been good since (touching wood).

Nick

[TUS 2 CON]

After hours of poking round the more inaccessible parts of the car, I have now found both the alarm and immobiliser units. A big thank you for all the help from Neil and from David at HF Solutions.

I can confirm that both units are in a different place on wavy dash Tuscans. Obviously, as this is an open forum, I won’t say where. But if anyone needs the info in the future, please PM me.