HEELLLLPPPPP!!!! header install aftermath>.

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Over the weekend I installed a full exhaust system (consisting of SLP headers/downpipe with front O2 sensors, no Cats, bassani x-pipe, and borla cat-back). The install went pretty well but when it was all finished I hooked up the battery and immediately the radiator fans came on... When i turned the key to the ON position the fans went off but the DIC began scrolling through all of the error messages (reduced engine power, service ABS, service traction control,...) The starter turns over but it does not start. i tried waiting a few minutes and then disconnected the battery to reset and reconnected it, no luck. Any ideas?

Is there a reset procedure? Do i have a wire/ground not connected correctly?? Have i done damage to something vital?

I have not hooked anything up the computer to try and diagnose this problem but have come here first. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks guys.
Doug

 

hmmm, I would go back through above and underneath the car and check all your grounds, wires etc.. sounds like it could be one of many things.. you could have cut a wire, or chaffed a connection or something while putting the headers in... I cut my oil level sensor on the oil pan and had to fix that...i was messing with the starter to get it out of the way, and when the headers got through i busted that wire

What do the volts read on your battery? How many miles on the car, how old is the battery?

 

It's hard to tell what might be happening since you've gotten so many DTC's and the fans should NOT come on when you turn the key. As said above, I would check all the wires and connections that were touched and where they are in close proximity to the headers. I haven't installed SLP's but I've read they are pretty hard to install. I have Kooks and they caused me some grief. Since the fans are coming on immediately I would check the ECT sensor. It's on the driver's side head at the front, underneath the alternator. Check the alternator is hooked back up properly. Also there is an oil temp sensor right near the oil filter. I managed to ding that too. They are the same sensor, so if one is okay, you could swap them to see if the fans go off. Without any other description I wouldn't know where else to suggest you look other than it sounds like a major harness got unplugged and not replugged or damaged. One other thing to look for is ground straps. I know there is one behind the driver's head, and there is one on the block below the headers in the middle. You may have knocked one of those loose.

 

I can't offer any more suggestions of items to check, but don't sweat it too much. Since you haven't even started the car yet, it is not like you melted something or did catastrophic harm to the car. Take a deep breath and closely check your install for loose or cut wires.
Good luck and be sure to report back what you found the problem to be!

 

Did you have the doors or hood open with the lights on? Maybe your battery is drained. Just a thought. Keep us posted.

 

Not sure what could be the cause of all the problems, but hope you can get it solved without any major repair costs.

 

i disconnected the battery during the install and the starter does turn over so i don't think that it is bad... however i did remove the starter when putting in the passenger side header so i will re-check my grounds when i get home today... any other suggestions and i will check them too before it gets too dark tonight... thanks everyone i will keep you posted if i find out what the problem is.

 

the more i think about it the more i worry about my placement of the wires back on the starter and on the passenger side head area...

After i got everything installed i noticed a wire with a large hoop terminal connector on the end and recognized it as going to the positive post on the starter.. the turn on lead to the starter had a much smaller ring connector on the end of it and it was on the post by itself... How many leads should be connected to the positive post on the starter? i know there was a ground and a maybe a black wire down there and i believe they were both grounded on the block when i finished up for the day yesterday... does any of that sound incorrect?

thanks again everyone i feel much better with this moral support!!

doug

 

you're missing a ground.right now it's hooked up to the starter[i'm willing to bet].on the starter you should only have the solenoid wire and the fusible links along with the positive cable.go back and look,you will see that you have one of the grounds hooked up to it.

 

got it! i had put the ground near the starter that has a white stripe on the positive lead post on the starter... thats not the best ground i bet... just wanted to let everyone know that it was solved. only took about 20 minutes to go up in there figure it out and get my hands through those headers back to the starter again... (my hands hurt like woah...) sounds un-real!! love it!

Doug

 

You got to love these guys on the forum. always willing to help.

 

Wow. You guys really helped dougnstien out! This forum ROCKS!


Dougnstien, Enjoy your new setup!!!