1991 c4 started by itself
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
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1991 c4 started by itself
Recently picked this car up and had disconnected the battery (negative) to do some work on it, and while I was re-connecting it, I had left the ignition switch in the "on" position and after the power flashed off and on 3 or 4 times, the engine started. I probably shouldn't have left the key in the "on" position, to start with, but I am surprised it started itself. Is this to be expected if left in "on" position?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 658
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From: Perth Amboy New Jersey
Recently picked this car up and had disconnected the battery (negative) to do some work on it, and while I was re-connecting it, I had left the ignition switch in the "on" position and after the power flashed off and on 3 or 4 times, the engine started. I probably shouldn't have left the key in the "on" position, to start with, but I am surprised it started itself. Is this to be expected if left in "on" position?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,697
Likes: 1,666
From: moraga ca
Disconnecting and connecting the battery with the ignition switch on could harm the ecm. Voltage could surge to the computer. Your remote starter probably had something to do with the starter turning and the car starting. Potentially dangerous situation.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
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Thanks, hope I didn't hurt anything else. That's what happens when I'm working on something half asleep, have no Idea why that ignition was in the on position. I installed the rebuilt alternator last night and it started and seemed to function ok, would that indicate I got lucky this time and didn't fry the ECM? Anyhow, still have a mystery wire coming from the battery negative distribution block that looks like it was connected to another wire hanging near it with a fuse case (fuse was fried inside and stuck). Maybe someone replaced a blown fusible link. I'll have to find a diagram showing what connects to this block so I can trace it back. But I think all these problems were somehow related to the remote start somebody "scabbed" into the under dash wiring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,448
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From: Valparaiso
happened to me many many times, i kick myself everytime
this happens , it's bad for the ecm i have been lucky it's still ok
but you never know !
