new here, gen 1 problems, no ready light, won't start

Just a possibility…it might be a brake pedal issue.
To go into READY I think you have to press the brake pedal while pressing the POWER button on a Gen 1. (Not sure as I have a Gen 0) So, if the brake switch is bad or misadjusted, the car won’t see the pedal input.
Do the brake lights come on when you press the pedal? If not, the switch may be dodgy.

 

Key turn readies the gen. 1; no power button. Brake pedal not required to start.

 

Xr4ti owner?

 

Ah, so brake pedal switch is not involved in start sequence. In that case can you hear the relay in the back make a noticeable click when you turn key on…maybe the precharge contactor relay. You should also hear fuel pump in back run and some relays/whirrs in engine bay. I don't think the main contactors in back will engage if the 'ready' light isn't lit though.

 

In my ‘02, the 12v voltage immediately shows 13.8 with car “Ready.” I’d check the 12v condition and connections. Could possibly also be fuse(s).

 

Right, the contactors get a strange amount of ink spilled about them here, as if they weren't just simple devices all under control of the HV ECU.

When you turn the key to START, the HV ECU goes through its whole normal checklist for is this key the right key, are all the other ECUs present and accounted for, are the battery conditions suitable, is this car ok to go READY, and if all of that checks out, it actuates the contactors (three of them, one being for precharge, that last part all goes so fast you just hear a quick click-clicket) and you're in business.

The owners' manual doesn't say anything about the brake pedal while turning the key to START, so that shouldn't be an issue. It does mention that the shift selector can't be in N, and it mentions holding the key at START until READY appears (which may take longer in, say, winter conditions).

Because most of the decisions about going READY are made by the HV ECU (the ECM just follows orders when told to make the engine go), a scan tool that shows you what the HV ECU is seeing will probably help the most.

 

Seconding a check of the fuses. Probably not it, but it can't hurt. There are plenty of places - both sides of the engine compartment, the left end of the instrument panel, and one lonely 5 A fuse in that box on the +12 V battery terminal.

Are you sure you did the deal with the immobilizer ECU correctly? I've never worked with one, but the immobilizer being unhappy seems like it could cause that "start=prohibited" from the engine ECU.

The touch screen going blank is probably normal. I just tried mine. When I turn the key to ON, the touch screen comes on. When I turn it to START, the touch screen goes black for a couple of seconds while the engine starts, and then comes back on. I'd guess it's "load shed" for starting - the car turns off things it doesn't need while it's starting.

 

I don't think I'd get too distracted by anything from the ECM (even something intriguing like Start=Proibitied) but rather make sure I have a scan tool that can show status from the HV ECU, which is the one responsible for deciding whether to go READY or not (and telling the ECM when it is or isn't appropriate to start the engine).