We took Mia out for a drive last night and got about 15 minutes from home – picture the scene.

Beautiful summers evening, with no clouds in the sky. Oliver was at the wheel and doing around 40 mph on the country lane between Denby Dale and Barnsley. All has been going great, with good clutch control when suddenly, nothing…. the engine cut out – no warning.

Oliver coasted the car to the nearest “lay-by” – a farm track leading to a local house. Thankfully it was a downhill section so the little car continued forwards, still in gear (5) without any actual power – so the power steering and brakes were still receiving power from the engine that was still rotating. No crunching noises or anything else to suggest there was a serious failure.

We tried a restart – it started but was a bit “lumpy”, then it died again.Same thing a few times on the trot, although we learned that all was well until we moved the gear lever. at which point a relay clicked and the engine started to cut out. Releasing the gear level (back to neutral) restored the engine to normal operation.

At this point it was clearly indicating an issue relating to the gear lever, which of course makes no sense for an analog vehicle…

Then Oliver thought to feel through the gear lever gaiter and suggested he felt some wires. From this point forwards, the engine cut out and would no longer start at all. The realisation washed over us pretty much at the same time – our home made immobiliser was clearly the problem – it was cutting the fuel supply off via the fuel pump – hence the engine could not run…

Now the problem part two – we did not have a toolkit in the car at all so could do nothing to effect a repair…

We called Vicky to see if she would be able to get the toolbox and bring it to us.. In the meantime, Oliver found a small screw driver in the puncture repair kit so he used it to take the centre console apart. As soon as he had done this the problem was immediately apparent – one of the space connectors had come disconnected from the wire. We were able to repair the connection and call Vicky to stop her coming all of the way out to us.

All repaired, the car was able to continue for the journey and get us home

We are very pleased that happened last night rather then on the way to Goodwood on Friday evening…