91 TR starting problem FOUND ! | FerrariChat

91 TR starting problem FOUND !

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Shamile, Nov 6, 2004.

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  1. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
    Full Name:
    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi

    First, hats off to Steve Magnessun, (91TR ), HenryK and the rest of the Ferraristi for all your help in pointing out various causes for a non-start.

    Ha Ha....lemon no more !

    I finally, positively found the starting fault. This problem was so intermitent and so unpredictable, it was frustrating. It wouldn't show up for months then....no start. It would just crank, crank and sometimes sound as if were about to start....then nothing.
    Ok, here's the deal. It was actually a fault in the tacometric sensor system. Not a simple swap of the sensor or the relay but a break in the harness. Not a simple break from the sensor engine side but in the main car side. The sensor plugs into the main harness under the coolant tank. The break was in receiver plug behind the metal plate in the engine bay. The break was not a simple pinched or broken wire but a break in the crimp pin INSIDE the FACTORY RUBBER PLUG. The break was actually not due to wear but a factory fault. When the harness was made, the pin was crimped without the copper wire strands in the crimp. The strands were just floating free-air inside the rubber plug. The current would arc across the gap enough to make contact. Over time oxidation formed as the arcing would reduce the length of the strands of copper between the free air gap.I actually found green oxide inside a SEALED plug.
    I pulled the harness and replaced the pin and soldered the connection.

    It has taken me six months of research on the TR and testing testing testing. I have finially solved the problem. I know I've got it because I was able to duplicate the exact symtoms when it would exibit the no start situation.

    I have all the previous bills for this car and it has plagued this car from day one. Coils have been replaced, tacometric sensors, circuit board...you name it. All because of one wire not contacting properly. FERRARI FACTORY FAULT. !!

    Some of ya'll have posted threads discribing almost the same problem, try looking into the actual wiring. A multimeter is a must!

    Alright, time to go cruising for chicks !

    Lemonade anyone? :)


    Shamile Shams Kassam II
     
  2. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
    Full Name:
    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    Ok, that 4 pin rubber plug.....where did I get the pin connector ? Get this, Catapiller buldozers use these waterproof connectors on all their harnesses. I was able to go to my local CAT dealer and buy the pins for a whole .20 Cents a piece ! How did I know? Luck of the draw in a parts shop standing at the counter while a CAT mechanic was waiting for his stuff.
     
  3. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Jul 22, 2003
    8,520
    Melbourne
    Full Name:
    Phil Hughes
    Good onya!

    I once replaced the loom in a TRossa that had been stolen and recovered, and had a meltdown from the hotwiring.

    The new loom had 3 seperate connection faults in it!!
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,288
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Thanks for the info about Catapiller. Some of the electrical bits are getting hard to find.
     
  5. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    20,035
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Yes..CAT and also industrial SkyJack and forklifts use these style of connectors. I have a good friend who is a mechanic for these machines and supplies me with all the connectors and pins I need.
     

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