89 Testarossa ignition problem | FerrariChat
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89 Testarossa ignition problem

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by Drtcpham, Dec 1, 2015.

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  1. Drtcpham

    Drtcpham Rookie

    Nov 27, 2015
    8
    Gladstone, MO
    Full Name:
    Dr Truong Pham
    #1 Drtcpham, Dec 1, 2015
    Help anyone out there! Having ignition problem. While driving my 89 Testarossa the engine shuts down. While under the hood the driver side ignition cable came loose from the ignition coil. But no fire after plugging it back. After towed home I measured the primary ignition coil which is 3ohms & 2nd coil is 3.6k ohms. Haven’t done the spark plug crank yet. Both coils ohms readings are the same. I have cleaned all of the spark plugs and even replaced the spark plug wires and still cranks but no fire! I am not mechanic. I only know some basic stuffs. My next diagnostic ideal is the ignition module or the power module sitting directly above the coils? Please anyone out there please please help get my dream machine to fire again. I live in Kansas City, Missouri and there is no Ferrari dealer here.:( Thanks for your time
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,643
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Dec 1, 2015
    Certainly important to have all the wires connected to the coils where they should be ;), but the first easiest thing to do is unplug/inspect/replug the round 4-pin connector under the coolant expansion tank (it connects the flywheel sensors to the MicroPlex ignition ECU) -- if you've confirmed that you have no spark during starter motor cranking (and it isn't clear from your post if you've done that). And wouldn't hurt to unplug/replug the 2-pin connectors for the flywheel sensors too (if you have no spark -- but you really need to confirm/deny that on both banks before doing anything else IMO).
     
  3. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
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    romano schwabel
    #3 turbo-joe, Dec 1, 2015
    thanks for filling out your profile :)

    you may also test with a voltmeter or a testlamp if you have 12 V + at the coils
     
  4. Drtcpham

    Drtcpham Rookie

    Nov 27, 2015
    8
    Gladstone, MO
    Full Name:
    Dr Truong Pham
    #4 Drtcpham, Dec 1, 2015
    I'll try that tonight and will confirm with you Wednesday. Thank you Steve.
     
  5. Drtcpham

    Drtcpham Rookie

    Nov 27, 2015
    8
    Gladstone, MO
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    Dr Truong Pham
    #5 Drtcpham, Dec 1, 2015
    How do I go about checking the 12v on the Coils? I assume with the ignition turn on II position and then measure the voltage reading across the 2 terminals of each of the coils?
     
  6. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

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    #6 turbo-joe, Dec 2, 2015
    no,
    between the 2 terminals at the coil you never may meassure if you have 12 V

    with voltmeter or testlight you take 1 wire on ground and the other wire to terminal 15 on the coil ( yellow wire )
     
  7. mikael82

    mikael82 Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2007
    869
    Finland
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    Mikael
    #7 mikael82, Dec 2, 2015
    -Easy thing to ground one loose spakplug and HANDS OFF have someone priefly start engine to see if you got spark from coil.
    -Next thing is to see total resistance from your coil wire, both same?
    -If you got 12V to the coil? You should - as it very unlikely to loose power from coil.
    -Next you swap powermodules, see what hapends with that extra plug grounded.
    -If nothing change, change around coils see what hapends - It's very unlike coil it self go bad, I bet its power module burned from that coil wire missing.
     
  8. Drtcpham

    Drtcpham Rookie

    Nov 27, 2015
    8
    Gladstone, MO
    Full Name:
    Dr Truong Pham
    #8 Drtcpham, Dec 3, 2015
    Problem Solved! I did check the coil resistance and they are same for both. I checked and cleaned all of the connectors under the coolant tank and the round ones above the coil on the right side. All seem good. Spark plug crank check with the inline tester and it does show sparks. I remembered reading a post about the fuse box issues and that’s where I went to next. Found out the main power connector with the big red thick wire somehow worked itself loose and caused 2 blown fuses. Inspect it and reinsert with 2 new fuses, one of which goes to the fuel pump. BOOM it starts immediately!! I can’t belief a $.50 fuse can cause me all of this headache. But last least I know more about my car now than ever and I got to meet/chat with some of the Ferrari owners/gurus/fanatics out there! Thanks soooo much you all for your precious time and energy. God bless you all and have a great and a safe holiday…
     
  9. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
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    romano schwabel
    #9 turbo-joe, Dec 3, 2015
    nice, one more problem solved
     

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