Possible Goodwood test day on 14th December 2013

[hearbear]

Other thing to do check voltage to ECU during the starting and see if it is dropping down Dunnel will be able to let you know if the voltage you are getting is to low when starting

[stylussprinter]

Other thing to do check voltage to ECU during the starting and see if it is dropping down Dunnel will be able to let you know if the voltage you are getting is to low when starting

Hopefully Matt might do that when he's here in 2014 but I've no way of doing it myself George Don't have a multi meter nor would know which thing on the dial to set it at Hence waiting for Matt to try my software via the link to ecu wire/socket that I wired in at the TB engine build in 2006/7.

[stylussprinter]

Just tried it again , it was fully charged and NO start was the result See what I mean
Yesterday on the button without issues

[stylussprinter]

Being in the shed anyway this morning to get my Rhino deisel additive for the Alfa 's fill up , I thought --- well it's been in the shed since failing to start a week befor Xmas but I'll just turn the key anyway , even if simply to confirm it won't bloody start ------------------ but it did , on the first turn too , so still totally confused I'm wondering now whether , even though the intelligent charger that's connected permanently shows fully charged , possibly it continues to put that little bit more into the battery --- even though it's warning light for charged is off It's been 18 days since not starting but still connected to the charger , albeit showing fully charged weeks ago

[CMA]

But when it wont start it spins fine but just doesn't fire?

[stylussprinter]

But when it wont start it spins fine but just doesn't fire?

Correct

[stylussprinter]

So ----- Monday she started and shocked me --- today I thought I'd try again , expecting it to repeat the pre Goodwood scenario of starts , starts again then no start when I needed it
Started immediately
To be honest , I almost wanted it to not start and confirm the intermitant fault . Very strange , I'll leave it on the intelligent charger for another few days then try again
Matt and Simon both mentioned bringing their multimeters along one day to check what's coming out of the battery when the starter whizzes round then of course we'd see whether Dunnell's programed minimum grunt is getting to the ecu when starting. I seem to recall him mentioning about 12.5 volts ------- he turned that part off for me when I couldn't start it after building the engine to TB spec , it then started straight away , even on the very tiny redtop 8 battery used at that time. Since then it's had an ODDYSEY extreme 25 but with that minimum volt programed back in..

[DH2]

Matt and Simon both mentioned bringing their multimeters along one day to check what's coming out of the battery when the starter whizzes round then of course we'd see whether Dunnell's programed minimum grunt is getting to the ecu when starting.

Certainly sounds like the first thing to be checking. Even a fully charged battery that will hold charge might not take the starting load, so don't rule out the battery being at fault until it has had a proper load test. Might be worth taking the battery to a local garage to get them to test it. Or buying a basic multimeter!

Dave

[CMA]

Would it be worth buying a cheap tin top battery (£25 for a punto one) and next time it refuses to start connect it up using jump leads and see if it helps?

Would also be handy to have the spare about for jumping. Saves trying to get the tin top close enough. Mine has come in handy many times.

[stylussprinter]

I'll wait to see what the voltage drop is -- if any , on starting then go from there .

[stylussprinter]

I normally start it every 2 or 3 weeks during non competition periods but having the intermitant fault has got me trying to catch her out --- it started again without issues today almost instantly , that's three in a row in the last 2 or 3 weeks . I am assuming it will fail on some occasion then I'll know the fault is still there to be traced

[stylussprinter]

9 days since last tried her ------ started immediately again / 4 times without issues now. By the way Dave , DH2 this Oddysey 25- 680 was only bought in spring of 2012 , having had the previous identical battery since 2006 . Admitedly the voltage at starting hasn't been checked yet.
Another point I'd not considered , is that possibly she doesn't like starting after being loaded ready then sheeted and left outside in the open for two or three nights That's what I do , depending on the weather forcast so I don't get caught trying to load it etc in the rain. Warm engine to temperature then condensates over two cold damp nights

[CMA]

I know the little Powervamp battery I have doesn't like being left outside over night. It always struggles to start the day after.

Could it be the vibrations from towing causes some connection somewhere to become faulty?

[stylussprinter]

Two horrible cough / colds since Xmas and rain on a daily basis deterred me from trying to start the Stylus since the end of January ----------- So , out I went today to give her a whirl . Pretty impressed really with it being damp etc , started on the 6th turn , about 5 seconds . Not immediate as previously but still no problem

[stylussprinter]

Two horrible cough / colds since Xmas and rain on a daily basis deterred me from trying to start the Stylus since the end of January ----------- So , out I went today to give her a whirl . Pretty impressed really with it being damp etc , started on the 6th turn , about 5 seconds . Not immediate as previously but still no problem

AND --- three times since no problem , although not on the button this week , just around 5 or 6 sec's.