‘87 Testarossa Ignition Cylinder Issue | FerrariChat
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‘87 Testarossa Ignition Cylinder Issue

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by xplodee, Jan 18, 2025.

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  1. xplodee

    xplodee Formula 3

    Jan 3, 2017
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    Tim
    #1 xplodee, Jan 18, 2025
    The ignition cylinder on my car started acting funny about six months ago, working intermittently and requiring that I jiggle the key around or the wires to get it to start. The key turns perfectly fine in the cylinder, but I’m thinking there must be an open connection or bad connection somewhere preventing it from firing the starter.

    does this sound right? I know that the cylinders are not readily available so I’m hopeful I can figure it out from the outside once the cylinder is removed. Anyone else have an issue like this?
     
  2. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

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    romano schwabel
    #2 turbo-joe, Jan 18, 2025
    I would say it is not a problem of the cylinder itself, more of the electrical part at this cylinder unit. and this would be repairable I think ;)

    but check first at the starter the connection no. 50 at the solenoid if there comes 12 V when starting
     
    Steve Magnusson likes this.
  3. Veedub00

    Veedub00 F1 Veteran
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    #3 Veedub00, Jan 18, 2025
    Are you sure it’s not the starter solenoid issue? I put in that relay kit three or four years ago and haven’t had a starter issue since. Tried everything else we normally suggest here too first.
     
    turbo-joe likes this.
  4. xplodee

    xplodee Formula 3

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    #4 xplodee, Jan 18, 2025
    I am not sure. It certainly could be. I will research the solenoid. But if it were the solenoid wouldn’t it just crank without starting? There is no cranking at all.
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 Steve Magnusson, Jan 18, 2025
    No, the first event in the engine starting process is the starter solenoid plunger moving, but an electrical issue can cause this rather than the solenoid itself.

    As romano suggested, measure the voltage on the white wire at terminal 50 of the starter solenoid (when plugged in) during the "no start" condition with key in Pos III:

    If it doesn't go to a strong +9~10V = you have an electrical problem, but there are many other place besides the ignition switch. Try a search using "C11 solenoid white wire w connector" for prior threads discussing this issue and the suspects. However, I'd rule a lot of other things out before attacking the ignition switch (but that could still be the problem).

    If it does go to +9V, or more, but the solenoid does nothing = then the solenoid is bad.
     
  6. xplodee

    xplodee Formula 3

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    #6 xplodee, Jan 18, 2025
    Thank you so much everyone. Will begin trouble shooting starting at the solenoid and work my way back. Appreciate it.
     

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