Dear Ride Drive,

I have owned my 1998 TVR Chimaera 5-Litre for some two and a half years, and in the main it has been a most enjoyable experience. However, on it's 24k service the starter was replaced with a reconditioned unit by my local TVR dealer as I was finding that when the engine was hot the car would not start. If I waited for 10-15 minutes the starter would then kick in and work.

Earlier this year, after only some 3,000 miles since the repair, it started playing up again with the same symptoms. This time it was not with the same degree of regularity as before so it was not a major problem even though I expected my £230 expenditure to last somewhat longer than it had.

Last Saturday, with the sun shining, I pulled the car out from the garage, turned the key and - nothing!

What a sickener, especially as I had to then go out in my Golf! Everything else clicked in, but it would not turn the engine and had never before done this when cold.

As I turned the ignition off I could hear a small “whine" that appeared to come from under the top of the dash – a relay possibly? Upon returning home from my trip in the Golf I tried to start the TVR again. It started up 3 times on the trot!

As the starter is not too difficult to get at I was wondering should I bin the reconditioned unit and invest in either a Bosch or Lucas replacement? If your answer were yes, would it please be possible to supply me with the correct part number?

Your help or advice would be most appreciated.

Thank You

Colin Martin,

Doncaster.


Reply:

Dear Colin,

Having consulted with the technical boffins at Racing Green Cars I can, hopefully, now provide the information you seek to resolve your problem. Please let us know if this has been of help to you, or whether you require any further assistance?

The part numbers are as follows:

Bosch – 1744

Valeo (Lucas) 243

The Bosch unit is probably the more robust. Your problem may well be related to an inferior recon, but it would be worth checking that the voltage is getting to starter when hot before you go into this in any greater depth.

Best wishes and good luck!

Julian
Ride Drive Ltd.

Reply

Hello Julian,

Many thanks for your help. I purchased a brand new Bosch unit and it now spins over far faster than it has ever done and starts the car hot or cold! Upon reflection, as this cost me less than the re-con unit fitted by my local Yorkshire TVR dealer, I think that originally I got ripped off!

The car won't be going back there for it's next service!

Once again many thanks for your help.

Kind Regards

Colin