kevvickers Posted August 28, 2002 Share Posted August 28, 2002 As I have not been working this week, have taken the Caterham (2.0 VX) out for quite a few runs. Today whilst burning around Lincolnshire the car cut out. Started again and ran without nay problems, although I did re-fuel. Have any other Caterham owners experienced such a problem, and what do you think could have caused the fault? Faulty fuel pump? Faulty fuel guage? Let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin S Posted August 28, 2002 Share Posted August 28, 2002 Had a similar problem a year or so back......turned out to be the Vecta immobiliser playing up......took a while to pin it down as you say after cutting out it started OK...then it became more of a problem resulting in being brought home on a breakdown trailer on a couple of occassions. Eventually it gave up completely and then I was able to locate it to the immobiliser. Changed it for a TOAD and all has been well since. Could be worth a look although it could be a thousand and one other things.....good luck. K8 GRS VX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Gibb Posted August 28, 2002 Share Posted August 28, 2002 My car did this twice on a trackday at Brands two years ago. The Vecta immobiliser was being triggered by a loose battery terminal and once reset the car was fine until contact was broken again. This was highly embarrasing as the loose terminal was not noticed by me or several other curious 7 drivers at the circuit. I trailered the car to Caterham where the problem was spotted as soon as the bonnet was lifted!! I hope your problem is as easy to fix. Paul L7 FUN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Gibb Posted August 28, 2002 Share Posted August 28, 2002 My car did this twice on a trackday at Brands two years ago. The Vecta immobiliser was being triggered by a loose battery terminal and once reset the car was fine until contact was broken again. This was highly embarrasing as the loose terminal was not noticed by me or several other curious 7 drivers at the circuit. I trailered the car to Caterham where the problem was spotted as soon as the bonnet was lifted!! I hope your problem is as easy to fix. Paul L7 FUN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Gibb Posted August 28, 2002 Share Posted August 28, 2002 !!!!!!!! L7 FUN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted August 29, 2002 Share Posted August 29, 2002 Paul, How are you getting with L7FUN? I had a small helping hand in building that engine. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Gibb Posted August 29, 2002 Share Posted August 29, 2002 Alex, 4 trackdays so far and so I am just getting to know the car. Needless to say it is bloody quick! Alan told me that you and Roger had helped with the engine build and of course I am grateful for the effort that was put into the car. Rushing now so will email you this evening. Paul L7 FUN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian balson Posted August 29, 2002 Share Posted August 29, 2002 Kevvickers, A common cause of this is the FIA cutout switch (if you have one!). When mine went, you could wiggle the relay behind the switch to simulate the fault. Rgds Ian ian_balson@yahoo.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted August 29, 2002 Share Posted August 29, 2002 I had something similar not long after I got my car (1600 VX) Was told that the FIA cut out switch can be a problem and was advised to stick a metal washer on the end of the red switch to improve contact. Problem in the end was actuall the ECU which had worked slighly loose. Only found it after the car cut out completely and wouldn't start at all. Did it splutter to a stop or was it a sudden loss of power. I thought my problem had been fuel related at first but ended up being electrical MikeW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted August 29, 2002 Share Posted August 29, 2002 I had something similar not long after I got my car (1600 VX) Was told that the FIA cut out switch can be a problem and was advised to stick a metal washer on the end of the red switch to improve contact. Problem in the end was actuall the ECU which had worked slighly loose. Only found it after the car cut out completely and wouldn't start at all. Did it splutter to a stop or was it a sudden loss of power. I thought my problem had been fuel related at first but ended up being electrical MikeW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvickers Posted August 29, 2002 Author Share Posted August 29, 2002 The loss of power was sudden, but did re-start without a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvickers Posted August 29, 2002 Author Share Posted August 29, 2002 The loss of power was sudden, but did re-start without a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvickers Posted August 29, 2002 Author Share Posted August 29, 2002 The loss of power was sudden, but did re-start without a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvickers Posted August 29, 2002 Author Share Posted August 29, 2002 Just remembered, the car also sounded as though it was running on three for a while about half a mile later. Don't know whether this has anything to do with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted August 29, 2002 Share Posted August 29, 2002 edited ! Edited by - ecr on 29 Aug 2002 16:24:32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted August 29, 2002 Share Posted August 29, 2002 Edited as well ! Edited by - ecr on 29 Aug 2002 16:25:38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted August 29, 2002 Share Posted August 29, 2002 Classic signs of alternator wiring problem. Pull the wires off the back of the alternator and clean well (close up the push on connectors as well). The alternator wiring forms part of the ignition circuit. When it gets dirty you develop a misfire, when the engine misfires enough it shakes the wiring back into contact and off you go again. Paul Glad you are pleased with the car. Alan had me give him a "masterclass" on VX engine building for that one so I know it inside out ! Ex Chairman Roger Edited by - ecr on 29 Aug 2002 16:13:56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Stewart Posted August 29, 2002 Share Posted August 29, 2002 I had a similar sounding thing happen at the weekend in Germany with my carb vx. It turned out to be fuel starvation caused by a vacuum build-up in the fuel tank due to a blocked vent pipe. I took the rubber gasket off the filler cap as a temporary fix. Earlier in the year i had the problem with the FIA switch which gave similar symptoms and would go away when i held the key and gave it a twist. I also had another problem (not sounding good this, is it) which started last year and again had the same symptoms. It didn't resurface again until i was spanking it around the 'Ring but then it proved to be a bit more terminal when we were on our way home. The RAC ended up having to trailer it back from Germany. I replaced the plug leads and the ignition module and i haven't had the problem again. I could go on but i'd only get depressed 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvickers Posted August 29, 2002 Author Share Posted August 29, 2002 Sounds as though the problem possibly due to ignition module / ECU. Any way of checking? What is the approx cost of replacing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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