Greddy Turbo Timer "Run-On" problem
09-03-05 | 11:10 AM
#1
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Orange County, CA, USA
Greddy Turbo Timer "Run-On" problem
Car came with Timer already installed and it worked perfectly until yesterday when I tried to stop the engine with the ignition key. The Timer timed out as normal, but the engine didn't stop! I tried turning the ignition key back on and then off again several times and in each case the timer timed out but the engine didn't stop. I noticed that after the time-out the panel lights dimmed a little and the engine sort of hesitated for a fraction of a second but then carried on running.
I got the same results with the Timer turned off, except, as one would expect, there was no time-out delay after switching off the ignition.
In either case, I just couldn't stop the engine!
Finally, to try to stop the engine I removed the battery negative terminal. The engine still didn't stop - presumably still getting it's power from the alternator. With the battery lead still off, I tried turning the ignition key on and off again, and the result was the same as before, except that the hesitation was somewhat longer, but not too long to still allow the engine to continue running. Finally, after several attempts, the engine didn't quite "make it" after the hesitation and it stopped.
With the ignition off, I then tried several times to reconnect the battery cable. On each occasion, the car immediately went into the "ignition on" mode. I left the car for a while, (dinner), and when I came back and tried putting the battery lead on again and now all was well, and the ignition did not come automatically. As of this AM I have not yet tried to start up the car so I'm not sure whether the problem will re-occur or not.
The initial diagnosis is that the Turbo Timer has died and continues to maintain power to the ignition and auxiliary circuits even after it should have turned them off (via the Timer off-switch or after the time-out). Also, it is conceivable that this Timer failure mode creates a slightly higher resistance path than normal operation, hence causing the somewhat dimmer dashboard lights observed as above, (interesting that the Timer started to get quite warm in the "run-on" condition, which could be because of the "higher resistance" idea, although it may be normal Timer heat-up and only observed now because the Timer was in a "engine run" condition for a much longer time than normally).
So why don't I just change out the timer? Well, before the fault occurred, I spent yesterday under the car looking for engine oil leaks. I poked around a lot but in my wildest dreams I cannot see how I could of come anywhere near disturbing the Turbo Timer wiring. The only possibility could have maybe been the ground to the Timer, but I did not see anything like that under the car, nor would expect it to be there. Still, I don't believe in coincidences and have this feeling that I might have touched something!
So, my question is, has anyone had a similar occurrence? You input would be appreciated.
Also, I want to check the wiring today and I need to get the column cover off. I have the screws out but I'm hesitant to split the cover in two because I don't want to break it. I assume there are clips inside it. Advice on this would be appreciated before I start on it
Thanks
Dave
I got the same results with the Timer turned off, except, as one would expect, there was no time-out delay after switching off the ignition.
In either case, I just couldn't stop the engine!
Finally, to try to stop the engine I removed the battery negative terminal. The engine still didn't stop - presumably still getting it's power from the alternator. With the battery lead still off, I tried turning the ignition key on and off again, and the result was the same as before, except that the hesitation was somewhat longer, but not too long to still allow the engine to continue running. Finally, after several attempts, the engine didn't quite "make it" after the hesitation and it stopped.
With the ignition off, I then tried several times to reconnect the battery cable. On each occasion, the car immediately went into the "ignition on" mode. I left the car for a while, (dinner), and when I came back and tried putting the battery lead on again and now all was well, and the ignition did not come automatically. As of this AM I have not yet tried to start up the car so I'm not sure whether the problem will re-occur or not.
The initial diagnosis is that the Turbo Timer has died and continues to maintain power to the ignition and auxiliary circuits even after it should have turned them off (via the Timer off-switch or after the time-out). Also, it is conceivable that this Timer failure mode creates a slightly higher resistance path than normal operation, hence causing the somewhat dimmer dashboard lights observed as above, (interesting that the Timer started to get quite warm in the "run-on" condition, which could be because of the "higher resistance" idea, although it may be normal Timer heat-up and only observed now because the Timer was in a "engine run" condition for a much longer time than normally).
So why don't I just change out the timer? Well, before the fault occurred, I spent yesterday under the car looking for engine oil leaks. I poked around a lot but in my wildest dreams I cannot see how I could of come anywhere near disturbing the Turbo Timer wiring. The only possibility could have maybe been the ground to the Timer, but I did not see anything like that under the car, nor would expect it to be there. Still, I don't believe in coincidences and have this feeling that I might have touched something!
So, my question is, has anyone had a similar occurrence? You input would be appreciated.
Also, I want to check the wiring today and I need to get the column cover off. I have the screws out but I'm hesitant to split the cover in two because I don't want to break it. I assume there are clips inside it. Advice on this would be appreciated before I start on it
Thanks
Dave
09-03-05 | 12:05 PM
#2
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Obviously as you can probably already see, there could be several different causes. I would probably check the wiring to the ignition switch and make sure that nothing was damaged when the timer was installed. I'm sure you're aware that there is a harness for the timer that splices into the stock wiring. (It really just plugs in). However, who knows what could've happened when it was installed by "whoever" installed it. If there are no wiring problems, then you could possibly have a bad ignition switch.
As for the cover, it just pops off. You always take a chance of breaking tabs when you're dealing with old plastic. The best advice I can give on this is to push in on the opposing piece to release the tension on the tab.
Joe
As for the cover, it just pops off. You always take a chance of breaking tabs when you're dealing with old plastic. The best advice I can give on this is to push in on the opposing piece to release the tension on the tab.
Joe
Last edited by quicksilver_rx7; 09-03-05 at 12:09 PM.
09-03-05 | 02:18 PM
#4
Anyone who is foolish enough to install a turbo timer, deserves problems. In your case, you didn't install it, and can't be blamed. I would take this as a sign to an intelligent owner. Remove the turbo timer completely. You don't need it, and it will always be a potential problem in the future.
09-03-05 | 04:00 PM
#5
Awwww. turbo timers do have use. of course its not everday like some people like to think. just unplug it and see if that fixes the problem. its like 2 connectors unless some nub was too cheap to pay 30$ for the harness.
09-03-05 | 07:06 PM
#6
2/4 wheel cornering fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by adam c
Anyone who is foolish enough to install a turbo timer, deserves problems. In your case, you didn't install it, and can't be blamed. I would take this as a sign to an intelligent owner. Remove the turbo timer completely. You don't need it, and it will always be a potential problem in the future.
I can have a buddy of mine make a t-shirt for you that reads "YOU ARE A FUGGIN' IDIOT FOR INSTALLING A TURBO TIMER"...
09-03-05 | 07:10 PM
#7
white FD lover
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 0
From: central jerzy
Originally Posted by adam c
Anyone who is foolish enough to install a turbo timer, deserves problems. In your case, you didn't install it, and can't be blamed. I would take this as a sign to an intelligent owner. Remove the turbo timer completely. You don't need it, and it will always be a potential problem in the future.
anyone foolish enough to cut holes in a air box deserves a problem then? Just because someone has something YOU don't like doesn't make them foolish regardless of if it has any performance value or not. Why's it foolish to plug a harness into a car that I can take out in 1 min? I think it's great to be able to leave my ignition on for up to 10 min with the fans running while the cars off, best "fan mod" i've ever done.
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