2002 GT40 - engine will not crank - blows circuit

[canuck]

This is way over my head. My 196 with only 241 hours has keyless ignition - after you enter the start code and push start (once) the dash lights come on for about 1-2 seconds then you can hear a faint click in one of the relays at the rear of the engine and the the power goes off. We thought is was a dead short in the starter so I took it into a starter repair shop and they bench tested it and said it is perfect. They tested it numerous times and it worked perfect every time. Now what - any ideas where to look next?

[M3Fan]

RE: 2002 GT40 - engine will not crank - blows circuit

If you only press "start" ONCE after entering your code, you're not engaging the starter. In fact, I don't think you're sending any power at all back to the engine or engaging any relays whatsoever with one press of the start button. Two presses will engage the engine computer and the fuel pumps (briefly). Holding down that 2nd press of the button is what sends power to the starter.

Is this GT-40 motor? There's only a couple things that would click at the back of the engine. Are you sure it's the relays? Those two Hella relays? They are the same relay so you could try swapping them with each other and see if the problem changes. ICBW on this one but I think one relay controls turning the engine's computer on and off, the other relay controls the 2 fuel pumps. If one is bad, switching them won't fix the problem but may change the problem. Then you'll know what the problem is and be able to change out those relays, which are generally inexpensive.

EDIT: I've already edited this post like 3 times since there is so much contradictory info in the OP. Looking at the subject of your post are you trying to crank the engine over? If so, and you're getting a click from the back of the engine, are you having to reset any breakers? If not, and you're trying to crank the engine, it could simply be a low voltage issue.

[canuck]

RE: 2002 GT40 - engine will not crank - blows circuit

M3Fan thanks for the reply. Yes it is a GT40 engine. The symptom is weird - after keying the start code and pressing the start button the small red light comes on the key pad indicating there is power, the second time you press the start button it sends power to the dash (speedos, tach, perfect pass) but the power clicks off after about two seconds. It does not seem to blow any breakers and you can rekey the start code / press start once-red light comes on / press start for a second time and the dash lights up for about 2 seconds then dies agian.

Your right about the relays, they are the same and we did try & swap them around which did not correct the problem but when we disconnected one of the relays we could at least get power to the dash without it going out after two seconds.

We thought it was a dead short in the starter so I removed it and took it to a shop and they tested it and said it was like new and worked perfect every time they tested it.

Maybe low voltage from a poor battery - but the gauge did read 13 volts before all this started. Thanks again for your thoughts and suggestions.

[jward]

RE: 2002 GT40 - engine will not crank - blows circuit

Get your battery tested. Mine did some crazy things on the dash. Turned out to be a bad battery. That would be the #1 easy fix. I would also check the ground on the battery. Make sure everything is secure and clean. Hope you get her going soon.

[DanielC]

RE: 2002 GT40 - engine will not crank - blows circuit

Clean your battery terminals.
Report back.

[canuck]

RE: 2002 GT40 - engine will not crank - blows circuit

Thanks for the advice - as it turns out all my problems with the keypad and starting issues were from a poor battery connection. I took the starter to a shop they tested it & found nothing wrong with it (still cost $70.00). After cleaning the battery terminals everthing is working great. Thanks again for your suggections.

[thedude]

RE: 2002 GT40 - engine will not crank - blows circuit

Well that was easy! I had the same thing happen in my '03 when my batteries were low on voltage.

[ejnautique]

I am having the same problem. I tried cleaning the terminal, I filed the cable connector a bit as well as the battery terminal. Did not work. Should I see corrosion if there was a problem? How did you clean the terminal?