I discovered a new (to me) mode of failure of the F125 which, fortunately, MJ was aware of. Whilst driving to Liverpool I stopped in a queue on the outer lane of a dual carriageway at some road works near Dumbarton. As i was there for some time, i switched off the ignition. Came to start and.... nothing. Some frantic action with the key and gearlever whilst traffic built up behind me and then it started.
Anyway, put it down to being in neutral/park or something and went on. We pulled in at Tebay for a break, ironically opposite the Tesla charging points in a quiet corner, but when it came to start nothing happened. All normal lights came on and relays clicking in the passenger footwell but no starter motor action. After 10mins called our breakdown cover (Nat West Flex plus who use the AA). Told it was about 2 hrs. When they arrived battery check showed all was OK. I wondered about the chassis earthing point so they jacked it up to check. I then took the liberty of phoning MJ (for which I apologise profusely again) and MJ said that she had had a similar issue and its either the relay in the footwell, dirty contacts at the connector next to the earthing point or the F125. After some discussion the AA guy changed the relay which made no difference, checked the connector (all good) but then managed to jump start shorting between the earthing point and the connector. So it pointed toward the F125. But then faced with that being the only way to start the car, I returned home.
Subsequent investigation a few days later and further discussion with MJ who talked me through the work-round which by-passes the relay which transmits the "I'm in "Park" " signal from the F125 which allows the starter to work. Basically, a short jumper between the terminals of the relay does the trick. The jumper is still in place whilst I figure out the way ahead with the F125,which given the cost of a fitting a new F125, might even be a permanent fixture!!
Anyway, many, many thanks to MJ without whom we would be all be a much worse place. (how do you know all this stuff, MJ??
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