Peter.S

My battery has finally given up most likely as the conditioner packed in at some point and no I haven't been checking it, the protective layer of sawdust is testament to that. So it can now hold a charge to run the fuel pump for about 10 secs and thats it! Does anyone have any tips for replacing it? I ask because its on a HPC and positioned on the chassis rail below the carbs so they have to come off, will I need new gaskets? Is there anything else worth doing while they are off? Also the Banner 53034 seems to be the standard but the car is fitted with a Varta and the terminals look like they are the opposite way (terminals facing the engine, neg front, pos at bulkhead) Thanks in advance.

Andy Yes it does have the vecta immobiliser and I have noted problems posted on here before. A few conflicting comments on how easy it is to remove though!! I will look out for your contact details. Peter

To reply to the various responses:- I'm in Culcheth. I have posted the problem before which unfortunately despite a number of suggestions I didnt get anywhere with it. the post went as follows:- 'I have a problem with my 1993 Vauxhall 2.0 HPC on carbs for which I need help/advice. The first problem was when it wouldn’t start at all, this was traced to the crankshaft sensor which was replaced and all seemed to be well. However after around 15 mins it cut out (on a roundabout) and would not start again. The car stood for a little while and it did eventually start and drove. The problem repeated and whilst trying to gently get the car back from Mold to Warrington it cut out and would not go at all. The car was recovered back home and it did start again, by now it had stood for a couple of hours. The problem initially seemed to occur on RH bends/roundabouts but this time it was on a straight whilst accelerating, it also seemed as if it was hitting the rev limiter at around 3500 to 4000rpm. (a similar thing happens when water gets into the connection between the crankshaft sensor to the coil pack, when it is dried out it is ok). I have changed the coil pack and again all was ok for around 15 mins and the same thing happened, again it was a couple of hours before it would start again. I am afraid that my mechanical knowledge is about as limited as my patience when it comes to problems such as these, I am assuming there is heat involved somewhere (one of the HT leads shows signs of melting where it connects into the coil pack) or that it could be a corroded/loose connection but don’t know where to start looking. The car has the factory fitted immobilizer and this beeps like mad when it does cut out'. Since this post I spoke with The ECU Doctor who suggested crankshaft sensor. got another new one (genuine Vauxhall this time) and it worked fine on a test drive in excess of 20 miles. then a couple of weeks later same problem ocurred after around 3 miles.

Can anyone recomend a Caterham specialist near Warrington. I have an ongoing problem with the car cutting out after a few miles and then it won't start again for an hour or so. It needs to be fairly close as I will need to tow it there as I dont have access to a trailer.

Thanks for the responses, will give them ago and let you know how I get on. Peter

I have a problem with my 1993 Vauxhall 2.0 HPC on carbs for which I need help/advice. The first problem was when it wouldn’t start at all, this was traced to the crankshaft sensor which was replaced and all seemed to be well. However after around 15 mins it cut out (on a roundabout) and would not start again. The car stood for a little while and it did eventually start and drove. The problem repeated and whilst trying to gently get the car back from Mold to Warrington it cut out and would not go at all. The car was recovered back home and it did start again, by now it had stood for a couple of hours. The problem initially seemed to occur on RH bends/roundabouts but this time it was on a straight whilst accelerating, it also seemed as if it was hitting the rev limiter at around 3500 to 4000rpm. (a similar thing happens when water gets into the connection between the crankshaft sensor to the coil pack, when it is dried out it is ok). I have changed the coil pack and again all was ok for around 15 mins and the same thing happened, again it was a couple of hours before it would start again. I am afraid that my mechanical knowledge is about as limited as my patience when it comes to problems such as these, I am assuming there is heat involved somewhere (one of the HT leads shows signs of melting where it connects into the coil pack) or that it could be a corroded/loose connection but don’t know where to start looking. The car has the factory fitted immobilizer and this beeps like mad when it does cut out. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.