Chimaera not starting after layup

[dtpugh]

I am scratching my head here. The car has not been started for a few years.

Symptons are that the engine is not turning over nor is the fuel pump being primed at position 1.

Day before yesterday the LEDs by the radio and on the steering column were flashing a bit erratic after the car is unlocked. Using the fob unlock/locks the car.

Yesterday they seemed stable i.e. position 1 LED is lit for a few seconds.

I have tested the fuel pump by jumpering at the relay and it works fine. So I assume by this that the interia switch is Ok.

I have checked both the fuel pump relay and ECU relay on the bench and they both seem fine.

On the ECU relay I have +ve on pin 30 and 86 on all the time. So I assume that it is switching ground, however 85 doesn't seem to go to ground whatever position the ignition is.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Belle427]

Check the battery is OK and the connections to it are good but does sound like an immobiliser issue at a guess.

[dtpugh]

Thanks, it's a new battery fully charged.

My thinking was the immobiliser.

[dtpugh]

Can anybody send me details on how to bypass the imobilser

Many thanks

[pmc_3]

Have you got the immobiliser touch key you can try using to disarm it if's not working with the alarm fob?

[PabloGee]

I've got this info, but which Immobiliser do you have?

[dtpugh]

pmc_3 said:

Have you got the immobiliser touch key you can try using to disarm it if's not working with the alarm fob?

Yep tried that, unfortunately doesn't work. Still doesn't prime or turnover.

Edited by dtpugh on Wednesday 13th March 10:43

Edited by dtpugh on Wednesday 13th March 10:43

[dtpugh]

PabloGee said:

I've got this info, but which Immobiliser do you have?

Thanks, the car a 1999 build, 4.0L

It has M99T2



with M36T2



The only problem I see is that the connector from the M36 doesn't seem to match the Abacus Alarms site.

[PabloGee]

PM/email sent to you...

[dtpugh]

Received and sent, many thanks

[dtpugh]

I got it started this morning by bypassing the immobiliser. Gave me a bit of a shock, I wasn't expecting it to start due to stale fuel, just turning over to circulate the oil and wham bam it started after 30 secs.

Thanks for your help.

Now just have sort out a fuel leak from one of hoses

[PabloGee]

Great stuff.
another email sent - thinking about alarm fixing.

Regarding fuel line leaks, if you need to replace the rubber hose, I can recommend using Carbopomp marine hose, it's marginally more expensive than the original spec stuff but far more robust.

There is also an interesting approach taken by Paul at Bertram Hill on his Griff, to eliminate as many of the joins in the fuel lines as possible:
http://www.bertram-hill.com/replacing-the-fuel-lin...

[Belle427]

The stainless braided ptfe hose is nice to use but I'm not sure on its compatability with modern fuel.

[Roy the Boy]

dtpugh said:

I am scratching my head here. The car has not been started for a few years.

Symptons are that the engine is not turning over nor is the fuel pump being primed at position 1.

Day before yesterday the LEDs by the radio and on the steering column were flashing a bit erratic after the car is unlocked. Using the fob unlock/locks the car.

Yesterday they seemed stable i.e. position 1 LED is lit for a few seconds.

I have tested the fuel pump by jumpering at the relay and it works fine. So I assume by this that the interia switch is Ok.

I have checked both the fuel pump relay and ECU relay on the bench and they both seem fine.

On the ECU relay I have +ve on pin 30 and 86 on all the time. So I assume that it is switching ground, however 85 doesn't seem to go to ground whatever position the ignition is.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Sorry for jumping on this thread, but I have a not too dissimilar issue.

My car was running OK, parked it up and the battery went flat over a period of around 3 weeks.

Tried to start using a power pack, but it wouldn't.

Took the battery out, fully charged it and replaced it.

The fob turns the alarm light out on the right hand side of the dash and when turning the key initially, you hear the fuel pump prime, but on turning further - absolutely nothing!.

I've tried with the headlights on and you get no 'dimming' when turning the key fully.

I'm suspecting either the starter motor or the immobiliser but am unaware on how to bypass the immobiliser in order to test.

If it's any help, according to the paperwork that came with the car when I bought it, it has a Cobra alarm with remote boot opening.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[PabloGee]

Is it worth trying a direct 12V to the starter motor, to see if it's working - disconnect the king lead on the coil first, make sure the gearbox is in neutral, so it doesn't leap into life whilst you're under it!
I've read a number of people changing starter motor when it's been the immobiliser.

Not sure when Cobra alarms were put in, I thought TVR netted out with Meta until they stopped making the Chim, so yours might be after market?
Is your paperwork part of the original purchase, or documented history?

I don't have any info on Cobra alarms, but they might be able to help if you can isolate it to that. A multimeter will tell you which wires are which if you want to investigate yourself.

It could also be the ignition barrel, so a methodical approach will help. PM me for Steve D's wiring diagrams, they are extremely handy.

[Belle427]

Pop a test light on the starter solenoid terminal whilst cranking, it will narrow down the problem.
Cobra is probably aftermarket but if you can find the brain there seem to be some wiring diagrams for them online more than any other immobilisers.

[blitzracing]

Roy the Boy said:

Sorry for jumping on this thread, but I have a not too dissimilar issue.

My car was running OK, parked it up and the battery went flat over a period of around 3 weeks.

Tried to start using a power pack, but it wouldn't.

Took the battery out, fully charged it and replaced it.

The fob turns the alarm light out on the right hand side of the dash and when turning the key initially, you hear the fuel pump prime, but on turning further - absolutely nothing!.

I've tried with the headlights on and you get no 'dimming' when turning the key fully.

I'm suspecting either the starter motor or the immobiliser but am unaware on how to bypass the immobiliser in order to test.

If it's any help, according to the paperwork that came with the car when I bought it, it has a Cobra alarm with remote boot opening.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

The immobilisers have been mis wired so the high current drawn by the starter solenoid went through the low power ignition relay so that bit burns out. Drop me your email if you want all the details.