15 replies to this topic

[RC220]

Hi .Org,

 

I have an odd query for you.  My car is now starting on the key, not the engine start button.  It is a 2.2 n/a.  It had a full service and timing chains replaced in April.  It went to garage with the rear clam off.  It started and ran perfectly in that state - I drove it there and back ... less than 2 miles on a straight country road and in daylight if anyone is worried!  I subsequently fitted Spitfire's brace bar (but chickened out of the chassis shim replacement as I need another pair of hands for that).  I put the rear clam back on - thanks .Org for the guides - drove it on Sunday and Monday and all was fine.

When I turned the key this evening the engine just started, where usually the various noises would happen then you push the start button.  There was an 'extra' noise for about a minute then totally normal.  I had to start the car 5 times on this journey and the same thing happened each time.

Any ideas what this is or how to fix?

Thanks in advance,

Roy

 

[stevieturbo]

Is the extra noise the starter remaining engaged ?

 

Either the button wiring has shorted, or shorted to ground, or more likely there is an issue with the yellow starter relay at the rear, that is either stuck on, or sticking etc.

[RC220]

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks for replying.  I am not sure what the noise is.  It doesn't sound like the starter motor but it is hard to tell with the engine running.  That does make perfect sense though and was what I thought.  I will check the relays in the boot as they have all been disconnected then reconnected as part of the clam off / on process - so they have recently been disturbed.

 

Kind regards

 

Roy

[Ivor]

Look for connectors pushed back in the relay connector block too.

[RC220]

So, after much ado the starting problem is fixed.  

 

It took a while but ... the problem was the wiring to the starter button.  For some reason this ran through the temperature control mechanism behind that dial.  This is like a pair of scissors.  Over time the wires to the button got damaged and sort-of fused together. 

Of course, I found this out after (i) replacing yellow relay (ii) replacing battery (iii) replacing starter motor (which was broken by constantly turning when engine running - I think) (iv) removing the airbag and steering wheel to get at the ignition to check it too (was fine).  

So, engine starting normally and running perfectly now.  This story has a happy ending?  Not. 

I had the clam off earlier in the year to have the car major serviced and timing chains replaced - age, not mileage (2003 / 42k).  I also fitted the Spitfire brace bar at this time - between the Spitfire toe link kit.  (I also have the Spitfire VRSAS kit fitted too), and the toe angles had all been set and camber measured.  READY TO DRIVE  But the fog light & reversing lights weren't working.  More faff, the fog light was fixed by checking the wiring.  Now fixed.  But this didn't fix the reversing light.  To check this I needed to lift the car to reach in and check the gearbox end switch.

It was late, I was tired (and lazy) and the friend helping me suggested I back up onto a set of standard metal ramps which I had never used before - they had been left in the garage when I bought the house ... 18 years ago.  They couldn't move backwards as they were chocked against the garage floor which is an inch higher than the drive.  However, the passenger side ramp shot forwards just as I got to the top and the car fell onto this and badly damaged the sill.

Thankfully the chassis is totally untouched but the sill is badly damaged.  I was also really lucky in that the hard brake lines (and various other electrical lines I think?) that run through the sill were undamaged.  Silver lining - these were all as new!   And I have 2 working yellow relays ...  

So, I now need a replacement side panel ... or at least the sill piece of that to repair the damage.  

Any ideas as to finding this?

 

Thanks

Roy (aka idiot)

[hairy]

Oh no!

 

How much damage is there - can you do a fibre glass repair?

[Ivor]

I've a full sill but driver's side for turbo, not sure if that would be of use, could cut a piece from it if the profile is right ? Send a photo ?

[stevieturbo]

Are the side panels/sills not totally bonded on and a 500% nightmare to try and remove or replace ?

 

Can it not just be repaired by normal fibreglass means ?

[Ivor]

Are the side panels/sills not totally bonded on and a 500% nightmare to try and remove or replace ?

Can it not just be repaired by normal fibreglass means ?

Yep , but gather that people either cut up a good sill to patch the damaged one or make molds from a good sill to make patches to repair the damaged sill

[RC220]

Hi all,

 

thanks so much for all the thoughts and support.  The car is going to a body shop tomorrow for an assessment.  I have now managed to take pics ...

[RC220]

... which I am struggling to upload.  This might take me a while ...

[Ivor]

... which I am struggling to upload. This might take me a while ...

Pm me and I'll send you my email address, or ask Hairy and he'll tell you the best way to upload pics

[RC220]

While I struggle with the tech - the sill is gone about half the length of the door and from the chassis rail around to the bottom of the door.  The upper sill - the bit you climb over under the door is undamaged and, as I mentioned before the chassis rail itself is fine.  I think I will need to cut up a good sill or make a mold because the 'curve' is totally gone.  And, replacing the whole panel does look to be a nightmare of a job.  I am going to gaffer tape it up in the interim so I can use it before winter arrives.  It is silver so hopefully it won't look too bad!

The good news is that it is running perfectly, has had everything done (apart from the reversing light) and it is only fibreglass damage ... which can be fixed, eventually!   

Thanks again guys. 

I love .Org

 

Regards

Roy

[Ivor]

Replied to your message

[hairy]

... which I am struggling to upload.  This might take me a while ...

 

Upload to thumbsnap or similar then post the links using the image button in the reply bar

[RC220]

Thanks Hairy,

 

I still haven't got around to uploading the photos but ... good news.  The damage is repairable.  I kept the broken bits - 5 pieces.  Peter at the body-shop put them all back together using masking tape to see what was missing - not too much it seems.  So, old fashioned grp work to fix.

 

One thing he did ask for is some more of the foam 'shapers' that are inside the sills.  I will see if I can get some of these.  I didn't know they existed until we looked closely at the car ...  

 

Thanks again guys,

Roy