2001 Gts won t start

[James.Cutchins]

Hello everybody, I'm new to the forum and need some advice. So I drove my 2001 Gts the other day, ran fine, parked it went inside. Went to leave about an hour later and it won't start. Turns over fine but isn't getting any spark. Battery is brand new and fuel pump is coming on with plenty of pressure. I did some research and everyone said to change the crank sensor so I did that but still won't crank. At this point I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction before I start just replacing parts hoping to get lucky. Also it has a piggy back tuner installed but I know nothing about it because it has no markings or numbers and was on the car when I bought it. Not sure if it has anything to do with the problem just thought I'd include it. Thanks in advance.

[dave6666]

Alarm reset comes to mind. Have you done that? There are a few different steps / routes you can go. Can you post a pic of this "piggy back tuner" since you don't know what it is? It may or may not be relevant. As well as the the alarm may or may not be relevant.

[Steve-Indy]

In your car, the alarm reset is easy. If you are unaware of this procedure, just call me. 317-402-9013

As Dave said, this may or nay not be a solution.

As I recall, if crank sensor bad, PCM won't allow the engine to turn over.

As to piggyback...dave6666 will be helpful if you can provide more info.

[James.Cutchins]

Thanks for the responses, I'll try the alarm reset as soon aso I get off work. If that doesn't do it I'll post a pic of the tuner.

[SlowPoke McGee]

In your car, the alarm reset is easy. If you are unaware of this procedure, just call me. 317-402-9013

As Dave said, this may or nay not be a solution.

As I recall, if crank sensor bad, PCM won't allow the engine to turn over.

As to piggyback...dave6666 will be helpful if you can provide more info.

Not sure if the Gen 2's are different from the Gen 1's but any time my alarm needs resetting it's very obvious. My hazard lights on the dash are blinking non stop. Is this not the same with the Gen 2's, Steve?

[Steve-Indy]

Our Gen I's act that way...our Gen II's are variable...depending on early or late...and battery status as I recall. I will find our soon enough with a dead battery in a 95 and 97.

The odd one is the 95. If it starts with external jump (extra battery of from another car), hazard lights keep flashing even as I drive away. Key fob unlock will not stop them. The "fix" is to be rolling fast enough on a straightaway (about 20 mph) without ANY traffic, kill ignition and QUICKIY turn it back on, pop clutch to start engine and all is well if one keeps revs about 1500 rpm. Since one loses steering and brake assist with engine off, THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED !!!

[James.Cutchins]

I reset the alarm, or at least I think I did. I turned the key in the glove box and it still won't crank. One thing I noticed isome my fob locks and unlocks the door but the alarm doesn't arm. If you open the door with it locked it just opens and no alarm. I reset the fob holding to both keys but that didn't fix anything either. Do I have to do something else to reset the alarm? I tried searching the forums couldn't come up with much.

[James.Cutchins]

Here are some pics of the tuner.

[James.Cutchins]

[Steve-Indy]

In your first post you said "Turns over fine but isn't getting any spark." Since many consider "crank" and "turns over" as the same thing, can you explain exactly what you mean? It makes a big difference.

Do you not have a telephone?

[Steve-Indy]

Got interrupted.

To continue: Question that I asked is important to help determine possibility of ASD circuit vs. alarm shutdown.

While I am at it, does your Viper have a racing harness? Had the speaker in console replaced? These actions CAN disrupt the fragile, heat damaged alarm moment switch. It is also possible that the EEM is bad...though I doubt that based on info provided.

As you can see, there are both parallel and divergent pathways that need to be considered in a hands off attempt to solve some of these problems.

There is a back up procedure for alarm if switch is the problem. Obviously, I won't be posting that here !!!!

[James.Cutchins]

Sorry about not being specific enough. The engine spins but never fires. I pulled a plug and it's not getting any spark.

Lol yes I have a telephone I just didn't want to call during business incase you might be at work. I hate interrupting someones day.

No racing harness. As far as I know my car doesn't have a speaker in the console. It does have an aftermarket radio button it was installed years ago.

Once again thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. I can't figure this out on my own and short of having it towed a few hours away to get it worked on I'm kind of stuck.

[Steve-Indy]

Well, I was hoping that this could be resolved without a tow...hard on Vipers, offer expensive. So far, you have not convinced me that it is not the alarm. Simple, non-invasive things first is my motto. Having solved some of these alarm problems by phone SCORES of times across the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia...a phone call seemed logical to me.

Best of luck to you.

[Steve-Indy]

By the way, I recall ONE case similar to yours where the cure was removing the AEM unit. I really have no experience with such things. All of our Vipers are stock.

[James.Cutchins]

Do you mind if I call you maybe Monday afternoon?

[Steve-Indy]

Not at all...as I am retired, I "play Viper" all day most days.

[02rt10]

OP, Sounds like you're in good hands...
From LOTS of posts I've read on here Steve & Dave are very knowledgeble - you should seriously consider their offer to help!

I know if I ever have a problem , I would hope they would be available....

[gfviperman]

Had a re-entry receiver go out once ... car would not fire.

Called a "ReeCee" and works with the key fob.

Also, couldn't lock car.

Luckily, it is the same one used on minivans.

It is under the driver's side dash.

Once replaced, all was good again ...

[ICPREY]

Your piggy back is a VEC, depending on what harness you have going to it you could bypass it for troubleshooting.

[99RT10]

If you don't have a SC, I would just remove the Vec and see if it fires. If it does, great, you're in business. If not, could be a cam sensor or crank sensor. Any codes?

[James.Cutchins]

How would I go about bypassing it? As far as I can tell there's only three blue wires actually connected to anything. Theres a few wires going to grounds that come from the harness connected to the Vec but that's all. I bought the car with it already installed so Im pretty much clueless as to how it actually functions.

I have a obd plug in that uses an app and it doesn't show any codes. I haven't put it on a more expensive scanner because I don't have one available and it's a pain to get the car on a trailer. I may see if O'Reillys has one I can rent

[Steve-Indy]

This is a good time to PM dave6666 as he really knows this stuff.

[ICPREY]

How would I go about bypassing it?

Once again it depends on how it's wired in. Mine was wired by Roe many years ago, but I had to bypass it once after getting my SCT tune. Mine plugs into the main harness behind the drivers side valve cover. I simply disconnected the VEC harness and reconnected the factory ends together. I maybe able to post a pic tomorrow, if you need it.

[plumcrazy]

ditch the vec

[The Stig]

dumb... but you check PCM fuses?