robheathcock Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 My newly acquired Raodsport SV is already testing my commitment to se7en ownership by having an intermittent starting problem which seems to occur after a long run. When I collected the car two weeks ago and drove home I tried to start it in the evening when SWMBO came home and it wouldn't and all I got was one of the relays in the 'black box' between the battery and bulkhead (which I was later advised via blatchat was called the MHRU) clicking but nothing turning over. I checked the immobiliser was off but no difference. Fiddled with the MHRU in case of a loose connection (by now you will have realised I am no mechanic) and thought the box cover was loose as when I resecured it it managed to start. Therefore convinced myself that was the problem and rang CC to discuss a replacement as car still under warranty. Not managed to sort a replacement yet but exactly the same problem occurred today after a long run back from CC closing event when we stopped for petrol on the way home. Waited a while (about 10 mins) and then she fired up OK. So it's another call to CC tomorrow but anyone got any advice as to what the root cause of the problem could be? *confused* Still had a great day though and I guess this all part of se7en ownership... Cheers Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted February 17, 2013 Member Share Posted February 17, 2013 There's lots on this in the archives. 1 What is the battery voltage before cranking and during cranking? It's important to be sure that your battery isn't on the way out before going to 2. 2 Search for "Click" in the archives. There is a widely-described fault where the relay doesn't deliver enough current to the starter. There is a simple fix. Where are you? Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robheathcock Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 thanks and just found this but will search for more info as not that specific I'm in Hampshire near Winchester *wavey* cheers Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted February 17, 2013 Member Share Posted February 17, 2013 Keep going... there's lots more. And have a look at this from Alcester Racing 7s. When you've done a bit more diagnosis and had a look at the fix you need to decide whether to: 1 Do it yourself 2 Ask BC for help: some members are very helpful 3 Take it somewhere and pay. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted February 17, 2013 Member Share Posted February 17, 2013 PS: It's MFRU. If you've got this problem you might be surprised that the F stands for "Function". Jonathan Edited by - Jonathan Kay on 17 Feb 2013 17:25:31 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robheathcock Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 it didn't stand for 'function' when I looked a right numpty on the petrol forecourt this morning .. ☹️ ☹️ Thanks as ever BC for the really useful advice *thumbup* *thumbup* and will not let this spoil my experience Cheers Rob *wavey* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishy Dave Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I'm one of many to have experienced this and it is very frustrating. Performing the 'relay mod', changing a length of crispy wire to the starter motor and protecting the starter motor and wiring from heat from the exhaust primaries have all helped to eliminate the problem completely. Worth doing lots of reading and searching as suggested to get a good understanding of the cause and the cure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnockoff Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 As you have only had the car for two weeks, I would suggest that it should be down to Caterham to fix. I wouldn't fiddle with it, take it back. That's why you would have bought it from them in the first place I'm sure. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted February 17, 2013 Area Representative Share Posted February 17, 2013 Rob Classic symptoms of the K series click. Happens when engine is hot, after a motorway run or a nice long blat. The answer is to fit a relay - Only costs about £10 or so for parts - plenty in the archives, but I can let you have detailed instructions if you wish. However as has been suggested, Caterham should sort this for you. They should be very familiar with "hot start click problem" Don't let this early problem put you off. Once I fitted a relay the car was transformed. After regular hot start problems the car has since never failed to start first time in 12 years!! Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted February 18, 2013 Leadership Team Share Posted February 18, 2013 It really is quite astounding why Caterham don't bother to modify this on every car that goes through the showroom A "module" of the correct bits would cost them pennies, certainly a lot less than the time they must spend sorting the problem individually .... especially when they've been known to provide replacement starter motors in an effort to solve it! Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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