Ferrari f355 GTB 1994 starter relay location help

There is no starter relay on early cars. The power comes straight off the ignition lock (via a 3 or 4 connectors). I would suspect the ignition lock or connector problem.

The power does run through the passenger footwell relay panel to disable relay "R" during cranking. When this relay is disabled, quite a few systems shut down to assit with starting. Relay "R" does not interfere with cranking.

Maybe you could try turning on your turn indicators and attempting a start. I'd say if your ignition lock contacts are working (and the problem is further downstream from the relay panel), the turn indicators will stop flashing.

Anyway, here's the wiring diagram for the earlier (2.7) cars.

Fig3_1994_2.7_Injection_System_Ignition

I'm assuming you haven't got an aftermarket immobiliser (?).

Let me know how you go.

 

Had a rethink on that circuit after looking at the diagram again. The normal earth for the solenoid of relay "R" appears to be the starter's earth i.e. the earth circuit is wired through the coils of the motor in the starter (experts?). The starter internals in these Ferrari diagrams is a little confusing, to say the least. If the wiring from the relay panel to the starter motor was faulty, it looks like relay "R" would not energise at any time, and you would have numerous problems (not just starter problems).

I would do that turn indicator test anyway, but I'd say the problem is with your ignition lock, the wiring to the relay panel or an aftermarket immobiliser system.

For info: On "5.2" cars, the start relay is mounted on one side of the fuse panel with a bolt. My 5.2 car start relay is controlled by the immobiliser. On 5.2 F1 cars, the F1 TCU controls this relay. There may also be some very late gated 5.2 cars without a start relay (as they can crank their starters even with the immobiliser active).

 

Disregard this comment. I disconnected the solenoid wire on my own car and the turn indicators still worked with the ignition ON. I'm not sure where the solenoid for relay "R" (or "P" on my 5.2 car) is getting its earth from under normal running (non-starting) conditions.

 

You're welcome. I did make some further enquiries and did some further tests on the starter circuit and the circuit is way more complicated than I first thought. Thanks to Steve Magnusson on the Testarossa/512TR sub-forum, we made some interesting discoveries. The relay which disables some circuits (during cranking) gets an earth through the starter solenoid (when the car is not being started). I did earlier say that pulling the wire off the starter solenoid should stop your turn indicators working (and lots of other things), but this particular relay can find two other alternate earth paths (at least on your car).

Out of curiosity, if you disconnect the plug on your starter solenoid and then turn the ignition key to position II (ON), does your brake warning light illuminate? (but does not illuminate when the starter plug is connected?) Sorry, I don't know which country you are from, so I don't know if your brake warning light looks like this [(!)]? If the brake warning light illuminates, it would seem to prove that there is a problem with the wiring from the relay panel to the starter solenoid plug or the solenoid itself (but you've already proved that your solenoid is ok).
Also, with everything connected, when you attempt to crank your engine, does the brake warning light illuminate? I think this would prove your ignition lock is ok. If your brake warning light does not illuminate during start, there may or may not be a problem with your lock.