93 Chim not starting
Discussion
Went in yesterday just to turn it over and let it warm up and it wouldn't start, put the trickle charger on overnight and still won't start.
It has dash lights and the immobiliser stops flashing once the fob has been touched.
I did have something weird last week where the immobiliser wasn't disarming unless the key was turned to ignition.
First Tvr and not had issues since I bought, keen to learn and try diagnose stuff myself, where do I start?
I don't even think I can hear the fuel pump prime.
It has dash lights and the immobiliser stops flashing once the fob has been touched.
I did have something weird last week where the immobiliser wasn't disarming unless the key was turned to ignition.
First Tvr and not had issues since I bought, keen to learn and try diagnose stuff myself, where do I start?
I don't even think I can hear the fuel pump prime.
As suggested the two relays in the footwell are tempermental but be aware they are not standard relays make sure you get the same type.
Is the starter turning over? If so chances are the immobiliser is OK.
If you cannot hear the pump prime it could be the relays or the fuel pump circuit, worth seeing if you have volts on the pump, use a 12v bulb not a meter as meter readings can be misleading. If no volts on the puimp work backwards, the plug/socket behind the passenger B post is prone to getting damp
Cct here:
https://www.bertram-hill.com/fuel-pump-schematic.h...
I will check all of that.
In the mean time, I've uploaded a video of what's happening....
https://youtu.be/vRHCeUwGWCE?si=E7MqLLypYDd-c-F1
In the mean time, I've uploaded a video of what's happening....
https://youtu.be/vRHCeUwGWCE?si=E7MqLLypYDd-c-F1
definitely worth trying a known good battery - even just jumping from daily car.
If you're on Facebook, I have put the wiring diagrams on one of the groups there - it's a handy group.
If not, send me an email and I'll forward them to you.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2045624719010457/f...
If you're on Facebook, I have put the wiring diagrams on one of the groups there - it's a handy group.
If not, send me an email and I'll forward them to you.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2045624719010457/f...
Just gone out to have a look, first time really having a look around in where the battery is, crikey! I have zero idea what I'm looking at here.
There seems to be some water on the floor in there.
Also have gone to disconnect the trickle charger and it seems the electric boot release isn't working when the ignition is on. No fuel pump prime either.
Speedo and rev counter are also sat up the range when ignition is on and when you try to press the boot release or turn the air blowers on/off the rev/speedo bounce.....
Also added another video.. https://youtu.be/Colh7SpPGf4?si=5BRCRnLsJ06Q3x6T


There seems to be some water on the floor in there.
Also have gone to disconnect the trickle charger and it seems the electric boot release isn't working when the ignition is on. No fuel pump prime either.
Speedo and rev counter are also sat up the range when ignition is on and when you try to press the boot release or turn the air blowers on/off the rev/speedo bounce.....
Also added another video.. https://youtu.be/Colh7SpPGf4?si=5BRCRnLsJ06Q3x6T
Yes it's a merry mess down there, as standard.
You have a battery cut-off switch that isn't factory fit, but may be useful if you store the car unused for long periods of time.
You also have a trickle charge connector.
Have you seen this image - it's helpful for identifying what's what in the rats nest, and seeing if there are any later additions (hot start kit for example)?
second post: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
You also have what appears to be reworked coolant pipes - the originals had steel pipes that the bigger rubber hoses were clamped onto - that could be an area to check for leaks, and the passenger footwell generally doesn't suffer from external leaks - although there are two possibilities I can think of:
- windscreen washer fluid - if the pipes below the scuttle are leaking/disconnected (outside, with the windscreen wiper spindles), a build up of fluid can find its way into the car, but if you haven't used the wiper squirters then this is unlikely
- door seal - if this doesn't fit well, or have the two pinches or cuts, then water can make its way inside at the bottom of the door well.
After those points, I get stuck - mine doesn't have the fibreglass cover over the fusebox that yours appears to have, and the bank of sockets below that is not the same as my car, I don't recognise what that is. It might be that yours, as a '93, is different.
On your dashboard behaviour, my first thoughts are to check and possibly clean up the earth points. Get around the engine bay, also below the car, particularly below the radiator, there are a few, and when they fail, all sorts of odd things happen.
It might be that the water you've found in the footwell is making a mess of the electronics in there, and a methodical journey of checking and cleaning might be necessary.
Sorry to be of no real help.
You have a battery cut-off switch that isn't factory fit, but may be useful if you store the car unused for long periods of time.
You also have a trickle charge connector.
Have you seen this image - it's helpful for identifying what's what in the rats nest, and seeing if there are any later additions (hot start kit for example)?
second post: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
You also have what appears to be reworked coolant pipes - the originals had steel pipes that the bigger rubber hoses were clamped onto - that could be an area to check for leaks, and the passenger footwell generally doesn't suffer from external leaks - although there are two possibilities I can think of:
- windscreen washer fluid - if the pipes below the scuttle are leaking/disconnected (outside, with the windscreen wiper spindles), a build up of fluid can find its way into the car, but if you haven't used the wiper squirters then this is unlikely
- door seal - if this doesn't fit well, or have the two pinches or cuts, then water can make its way inside at the bottom of the door well.
After those points, I get stuck - mine doesn't have the fibreglass cover over the fusebox that yours appears to have, and the bank of sockets below that is not the same as my car, I don't recognise what that is. It might be that yours, as a '93, is different.
On your dashboard behaviour, my first thoughts are to check and possibly clean up the earth points. Get around the engine bay, also below the car, particularly below the radiator, there are a few, and when they fail, all sorts of odd things happen.
It might be that the water you've found in the footwell is making a mess of the electronics in there, and a methodical journey of checking and cleaning might be necessary.
Sorry to be of no real help.
NordicCrankShaft said:
They are normally a mess down there, but that is another level! Is the battery on top of everything? Looks like you can't even access your fuse board? I would isolate the battery and start to untangle that a little so you at least know what's what. If not to solve this issue but to help solve future ones! Also investigate any water leaks! Do you know where your ECU is? Have a look at this link and it will help you identify some things...https://thumbsnap.com/i/I0ayBtqI.jpg?0916
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