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Help! Only runs for a second or two


Jeremyc

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Seems I have a intermittant problem with my Superlight R (1.8 VHPD K series).

 

Today it would only start and run for 1-2 seconds and then stop. If I tried restarting then the engine would turn over but not fire. If I turned everything off (by removing the isolator switch) and then on again (isolator back in, immobiliser turned off) then it will fire and run again for 1-2 seconds but only on the first attempt - subsequent attempts as above it fails to fire.

 

I eventually got it going after one of the cycles of turning everything off and on again - ran perfectly and seemed to restart no problem. *mad*

 

Anyone seen this or a similar problem before and can offer suggestions? I hear the fuel pump prime and run OK, and there are obviously sparks for a second or two. Could it be an ECU problem or fuel supply? *confused*

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I think they all do that. Mine does it every now and again and until I found out about the re-set sequence it was most disconcerting. The engine woulod run with some throttle applied but stalled immediately the throttle was released. The "Caterham" procedure is turn the ignition on but don't start the engine, then slowly press the accelerator to the floor and release. Repeat about 5 times. On my car you can hear what I think is the idle control valve re-set under the bonnet.

 

C7 CDW

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Jeremy

 

My VHPD does the same thing if I try to start it with the imobiliser on. You should see the red LED light up permantly. The say f$%^$^k it and then sit there as the bugger wont start for about 5 minutes.

 

This may have been caused by the imobiliser loosing its sequence with the key fob if the battery has been disconnected. So you need to click it 4 times to re-sync it. Cant remember if its on 4 times or off 4 times, my build manual says which, ill look it up if you need it.

 

Dave

 

 

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Yep - as stated above it does sound like the immobiliser. Our's has started doing a similar thing recently - no idea why but we have found the following stops it.

Even if the immobiliser is on, re-set it by clicking the blipper so you hear the click, then turn it off again, again listening for the click, then start the car. As Dave says, if you do try and start the car with immobiliser on, you seem to have to wait for the light to start flashing and then start again, rather than just re-blipping - if you see what I mean!

 

Loads of Caterham stuff

here

65,000miles in 3years

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Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

I'd just like to be clear what you all mean by 'resetting the immobiliser'; when I reconnect power (put the isolator switch back in) I always 'resync' the key fob by pressing the smooth button on the keyfob 4 or 5 times (I can then hear a 'click' from under the dashboard). My problems noted above persisted even after having done this.

 

Peter - are you suggesting that when I see the problem (even after resyncing the key fob as above) I need to then turn the immobiliser on (the other 'not smooth' button on the key fob?) and off (the smooth button) several times?

 

Angus&tessa - is the turning on and off of the immobiliser you refer do by pressing the buttons on the key fob?

 

Sounds like I'll need to wait for the LED to start flashing before trying again! Is there a manual or instructions available somewhere for the immobiliser?

 

Edited by - Jeremyc on 15 Aug 2004 10:27:20

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Thanks Mike - YHM. *smile*

 

So, just to check, a summary of the advice is:

- reconnect isolator switch (powers everything up).

- 'resync' key fob by pressing smooth button 4 or 5 times (this is all part of my normal routine).

- if starts, but only runs for a short time:

a) reset immobiliser by alternately switching it on and off using smooth/not smooth buttons on key fob.

b) wait for LED to start flashing.

c) turn immobiliser off.

d) should start.

 

Have I got it yet? *confused*

 

Thanks for all your input - off to see if Caterham wants to start ......

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Thanks Mike - YHM. *smile*

 

So, just to check, a summary of the advice is:

- reconnect isolator switch (powers everything up).

- 'resync' key fob by pressing smooth button 4 or 5 times (this is all part of my normal routine).

- if starts, but only runs for a short time:

a) reset immobiliser by alternately switching it on and off using smooth/not smooth buttons on key fob.

b) wait for LED to start flashing.

c) turn immobiliser off.

d) should start.

 

Have I got it yet? *confused*

 

Thanks for all your input - off to see if Caterham wants to start ......

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Mike - if there are 'urban myths' in the advice above, could you not post said notes on hear to help us all de-bunk? *smile* Anything electronic with the car is complicated enough to me without throwing in radio waves as well - so any public help appreciated.

 

Loads of Caterham stuff

here

65,000miles in 3years

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