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Engine won't start

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:51 am
by dzx
so i took my car to quality auto sound in boulder to get a viper security system installed. They pulled the car into their bay, installed the alarm, and now the car won't start. The starter cranks but there is no spark, i even tried bypassing the msd ignition system. Not sure if they messed up the wiring somewhere between the computer and the ignition module or whatever the thing on the firewall is called or if the thing on the firewall just died. Apparently its a fairly expensive part because the stores i went to wanted between 220-280 dollars for it. Car started fine tho this morning when it went in, and i've never had a problem with it starting before. anyway, bottom line, no spark. there is a 12 volt charge running through the ignition module but no pulse in it when the engine is cranking. They are going to have a mechanic look at it in the morning. Any ideas? Suggestions? It's been a really shitty month....

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 4:22 am
by vrg3
That part on the firewall you're talking about is the ignitor. I'm sure someone on the BBS can get you an ignitor for way way less than $220.

But if you gave them a car that started and ran, and they futzed with the starting circuit (which they certainly did when "installing" the viper security system), and now it doesn't start, then it's probably something they did.

The Check Engine light comes on when you turn the ignition to the ON position, right? If it does, and if your car is a stickshift, try push-starting it. If that works, then they screwed something up such that power to the engine is cut during cranking.

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 4:50 am
by BAC5.2
Your Viper system has an imobilizer, doesn't it?

$50 bucks says that they screwed up the install and the imobilizer is doing it's job.

Have them remove the system, inspect everything, and start the car.

If it starts, never go back (or install the system yourself).

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 1:29 pm
by dzx
When the immobilizer is active, the starter doesn't crank at all and i'm pretty sure i can pick up a ignitor for really cheap or free if it turns out that is what is at fault. I was going to chase down the wires going from the ecu to the ignition system, but didn't see the computer when i removed the glovebox. I'll have to try pushing the car and jumping it to test that theory. I've never had soo many things go wrong in one month. On the plus side, there is a pioneer 8600 cd player and rockford fosgate T2 12" sub arriving tomorrow with my name on all over them.

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:17 pm
by vrg3
The computer is under the driver side dash on our cars, not behind the glove box. It has four yellow harness connectors; you should be able to see it if you remove the panel that goes right above the driver's knees.

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 9:40 pm
by dzx
stupid haynes manual....

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 9:57 pm
by vrg3
Yes. Stupid Haynes manual indeed.

95-on Legacies don't even have the ECU behind the glove box; it's below the passenger side carpet.

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 4:46 am
by dzx
So they found out what the problem was with the car. When they installed the alarm, they grounded it to the computer thinking it was a piece of sheet metal and killed it. So they ordered a new ecu in, gonna cost them about 700 dollars, and so they lost a lot of money on this sale. Oh well. shit happens