TVR V8 - strange starting probs
Discussion
Chimaera 4.0L, Serpentine. Mark Adams chipped.
When starting the car, 50% of the time it is fine, the other 50% of the time it will fire quickly, but it's as if there is no fuel getting to the engine - it 'ticks over' at just above zero rpm for a second (i.e. the moment I let off the starter motor) and I can keep it running by tapping the throttle pedal. If I don't touch the throttle it will stop running. Doesn't seem to happen the first start of the day, can happen 10 mins or 8 hours later. Strangely, after sitting in traffic the other night for an hour and pulling in at a petrol station it started fine.
I'm thinking Airflow meter or Throttle potentiometer.
This problem isn't stopping me enjoying the car, but I know it's not quite right. I'm going to get it checked by a professional sometime soon, but in the meantime any suggestions as to the culprit would be appreciated.
Edited to say - the car runs really well otherwise - perhaps I'm imagining it, but the throttle does seem a smidge less responsive than usual (like I say, I could be imagining it).
>>> Edited by trefor on Wednesday 25th June 13:10
When starting the car, 50% of the time it is fine, the other 50% of the time it will fire quickly, but it's as if there is no fuel getting to the engine - it 'ticks over' at just above zero rpm for a second (i.e. the moment I let off the starter motor) and I can keep it running by tapping the throttle pedal. If I don't touch the throttle it will stop running. Doesn't seem to happen the first start of the day, can happen 10 mins or 8 hours later. Strangely, after sitting in traffic the other night for an hour and pulling in at a petrol station it started fine.
I'm thinking Airflow meter or Throttle potentiometer.
This problem isn't stopping me enjoying the car, but I know it's not quite right. I'm going to get it checked by a professional sometime soon, but in the meantime any suggestions as to the culprit would be appreciated.
Edited to say - the car runs really well otherwise - perhaps I'm imagining it, but the throttle does seem a smidge less responsive than usual (like I say, I could be imagining it).
>>> Edited by trefor on Wednesday 25th June 13:10
Well it *could* be a sensor problem, but those symptoms do sound like exacly what you'd get if the stepper was jamming closed sometimes. I suggest you try raising the base idle to say 700 rpm and see if that makes any difference. If you find this helps, this would point to a stepper problem. Don't forget to reset the base idle after you've sussed the problem.
annodomini2 said:
I'd get a fault code reader and check the ECU for faults first, could save you time and money. could be one of many things.
Thanks - done this. No faults (typical). Throttle potentiometer is a likely candidate at the mo' after a talk about the prob/symptoms with Mark Adams at PistonFest today (thanks Mark). Will report back on this in a few days ...
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