Help please - Car won't start
Discussion
Hi All,
TVR Sagaris won't start. Left out in the rain last night when got home and it has really really rained last night. Then the alarm kept going off this morning when we had a huge downpour. Disabled alarm and it unlocked ok. Now the rain has stopped went to move it into garage to dry it off but it won't start.
The indicators are on permanently, as is the little red alarm LED next to the passenger side window buttons, and the immobiliser button is flashing. The startup sequence happens as normal when turn the key, but I can't hear the fuel pump priming and the starter motor doesnt engage. The car won't respond to the key fob now to lock/unlock and I've tried pushing the immobiliser unit into the slot below the flashing LED.
I've tried disconnecting the immobiliser too but no joy.
Any help appreciated. Thanks, Mike
TVR Sagaris won't start. Left out in the rain last night when got home and it has really really rained last night. Then the alarm kept going off this morning when we had a huge downpour. Disabled alarm and it unlocked ok. Now the rain has stopped went to move it into garage to dry it off but it won't start.
The indicators are on permanently, as is the little red alarm LED next to the passenger side window buttons, and the immobiliser button is flashing. The startup sequence happens as normal when turn the key, but I can't hear the fuel pump priming and the starter motor doesnt engage. The car won't respond to the key fob now to lock/unlock and I've tried pushing the immobiliser unit into the slot below the flashing LED.
I've tried disconnecting the immobiliser too but no joy.
Any help appreciated. Thanks, Mike
I had the indicators stuck on on my Tuscan recently. Seems to happen when the battery voltage has dropped way way low and the alarm gets into a funk.
Disconnected the battery, left it and went again.
The root of the problem in my instance was that the starter was stuck, when the ignition engaged the battery was pretty much shorted and the volts dived causing the lights to be stuck on.
Unlikely your starter is also stuck so likely a different cause, but there’s no harm sticking it in gear and rocking it a bit to see if the starter disengages - mine did.
Note the volts only needed to be low temporarily, in my case whilst the starter was activated. My battery recovered to a normal range when the ignition was disengaged, but the alarm was in a funked state by then and the indicator lights stuck on. Consider water ingress has caused a short…. Disconnect the battery, leave it for a bit, try again. But don’t repeat too many times in case it’s something more.
Disconnected the battery, left it and went again.
The root of the problem in my instance was that the starter was stuck, when the ignition engaged the battery was pretty much shorted and the volts dived causing the lights to be stuck on.
Unlikely your starter is also stuck so likely a different cause, but there’s no harm sticking it in gear and rocking it a bit to see if the starter disengages - mine did.
Note the volts only needed to be low temporarily, in my case whilst the starter was activated. My battery recovered to a normal range when the ignition was disengaged, but the alarm was in a funked state by then and the indicator lights stuck on. Consider water ingress has caused a short…. Disconnect the battery, leave it for a bit, try again. But don’t repeat too many times in case it’s something more.
Edited by GrumpyMonk on Thursday 17th October 17:46
Edited by GrumpyMonk on Thursday 17th October 17:47
Edited by GrumpyMonk on Thursday 17th October 17:48
Hi Guys,
Thanks for advice.
Battery voltage is 12.2
I connected my other car via jump leads and Anderson connector and voltage was showing as 13.6 but same problem.
Managed to tow it up the small hill and push it into garage (with kind passing motorists help) and have disconnected battery and will put it on the conditioner. At least now the car can dry out.
Bit concerned the storm was so violent maybe some water got into the alarm system somehow (I have no idea where the alarm system is installed). All the interior of the car is dry no water around the immobiliser etc.
Will re-connect battery when the conditioner say its ok and see where we go from there.
Thanks for advice.
Battery voltage is 12.2
I connected my other car via jump leads and Anderson connector and voltage was showing as 13.6 but same problem.
Managed to tow it up the small hill and push it into garage (with kind passing motorists help) and have disconnected battery and will put it on the conditioner. At least now the car can dry out.
Bit concerned the storm was so violent maybe some water got into the alarm system somehow (I have no idea where the alarm system is installed). All the interior of the car is dry no water around the immobiliser etc.
Will re-connect battery when the conditioner say its ok and see where we go from there.
Having located the Alarm module I have discovered it is completely full of water - might explain why the alarm has been randomly going off all the time whilst trying to recharge the battery and wouldn't respond to the key fob. Had to disconnect the battery and wait until Monday to speak to someone - I'm sure my neighbours are happy (not!!).
Ian at TrackvRoad advised me to disconnect the battery again and remove the alarm module completely and then fully charge the battery and reconnect it (still with Alarm module removed). Hopefully the dongle for the immobiliser will work and I can start the car but won't be able to lock the doors/boot until I get a new / replacement alarm fitted. Fingers crossed !!
Ian at TrackvRoad advised me to disconnect the battery again and remove the alarm module completely and then fully charge the battery and reconnect it (still with Alarm module removed). Hopefully the dongle for the immobiliser will work and I can start the car but won't be able to lock the doors/boot until I get a new / replacement alarm fitted. Fingers crossed !!
Progress and at least you know the root cause now.
The new Meta alarm has a 2nd channel and button on the key fob which can be used to open the boot (on a Tuscan anyway) which is a nice to have. The other big advantage of the newer version is a lower drain on the battery.
Are there any more modern alternatives suitable?
The new Meta alarm has a 2nd channel and button on the key fob which can be used to open the boot (on a Tuscan anyway) which is a nice to have. The other big advantage of the newer version is a lower drain on the battery.
Are there any more modern alternatives suitable?
The Three D Mucketeer said:
I used to have problem with the Grey Citroen Relay which sits exposed in the engine bay .... Uprated it and moved it to the footwell ... Well XWORKS did 
I had the same. You can not buy the relay in the grey package - even Motaclan (the old TVR Car Parts) supply it in a standard relay cube form when in stock. I bought a Scenic Mk 2 relay which is an uprated version - but again in cube form. You can use it like this (and try to waterproof it) or carefully take the cover off and fit it into the gray cover the Sag has (easier than it looks). This should be waterproof (perhaps your is not waterproof, so a little sealant may help). I did not relocate it. Good luckGassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff