TR won't start sometimes | FerrariChat

TR won't start sometimes

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by TR91, Aug 15, 2023.

Tags:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. TR91

    TR91 Karting

    Mar 8, 2008
    84
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Looking for some feedback, thoughts, and advice on why TR (1991) starts intermittently, as in the engine turns over but won't fire up. The symptoms seem to have developed gradually but progressed to the the point where the car would stall while in motion. It's been blazing hot here in AZ so both times this occurred I had the AC going. In both cases, I was able to get the car moving again after 5-10 minutes of just waiting.

    Took the car to the mechanic (where it is now) and got a new battery installed. But again, the engine would turn but not fire. The car sat idle over the weekend and when the mechanic went to start it, it fired up with no issue. I didn't ask him if he tried to restart it right after that.

    From your experience, what are the likely culprits here? Thanks!
     
  2. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
    9,521
    southwest Germany, France ( Alsace ) and Thailand
    Full Name:
    romano schwabel
    first of all check if it is a fuel or an ignition problem
    when the engine rotates with the starter it is never a problem of the battery
     
    Steve Magnusson likes this.
  3. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,760
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #3 Steve Magnusson, Aug 18, 2023
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2023
    There are, unfortunately, many single electrical signals that, if lost, will cause a US TR engine to crank but not start/run. You really need to determine if is is a spark or fuel problem as romano posted. Next time it cranks, but won't start, use a simple, inexpensive spark tester (or timing light) to determine if spark is present, or not, during the starter cranking.

    One very simple thing you can do (assuming that it is a no spark problem) is to unplug/replug the 4-pin round connector (for the flywheel sensors) under the coolant expansion tank a couple/few times just to rewipe those connections. It's not a very robust connector. While you are there, wouldn't hurt to also unplug/replug the 2-pin individual connector for each flywheel sensor (although those are a much more reliable, robust type of connector).
     
  4. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,814
    Bologna
    Then borrow a timing gun and check for spark, it does not matter which plug wire, but check both banks. If spark is detected, start checking fuel pump relays. The odd thing is that it is like two separate 6 cylinder engines. It may stop working on one bank, but if it stops on both, there is usually something very specific wrong.

    Last time that happened to me I was out of fuel.
     
    turbo-joe likes this.

Share This Page