Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Ferrari 348 Electrical Drain

[Dennis Liu (BigHeadDennis]

Dr. Steve wrote:

>In deference to some whom I've offended with OT postings on the list,
though I found Dennis' summary description of the list pretty darned
accurate".  I need some basic suggestions on tracking down what must be a
hidden draw electrical demon on my '95 348.
 
>First problem is that if it isn't driven for about 10 days or more, it
needs a booster to start. I know the owner's manual talks about driving it
every  2 weeks or so, but that isn't enough for this car. Battery may be
getting on its  design life, but if it is driven every 5-7 days it does just
fine, with one  exception, which I hope might help in the ability of some to
help in the  d iagnosis.
 
>No matter how well charged the battery appears, gauged by its ability to
promptly turn over and start the engine, the clock always seems to go into
the flashing reset mode. This just started this driving season, but it is a
real PITA to have to reset the clock every time I start the car, and while
in the daytime it can be somewhat ignored, the flashing green light on the
console while driving at night sucks.
 
>I'm open to most any reasonable suggestion, remembering that the nearest
dealers that I know of are an overnight trip from here for repairs and INMSH
experience dealers are fiercely expensive and time consuming (in terms of
billable hours) in troubleshooting, diagnosing and correcting an electrical
issue, many times doing so only by sequentially replacing expensive part
until  one of them solves the problem. No offense to any dealers who may be
on this  list as most of that experience is with U.S. brand autos.
 
(incredibly long SIG snipped.  :-)

======

First question - how old is your battery?  It may be as simple as the fact
that your battery is a couple of years old and isn't holding much of a
charge.  If the battery ever was discharged completely or almost completely,
and it sat for awhile in that condition, it may be gone for good (too much
sulfation).  Even if you hook it up to a charger, and the charger shows it
to be completely recharged, it may still drain quickly, and just running it
won't be enough to maintain it.

And if the battery is poor, when you do start the car, even with a booster
attached, it may be drawing enough amps that it effectively kills the draw
to your clock, thereby necessitating the reset each time.

My cheap and easy first suggestion - go to Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart, and
let's not start a thread on THAT) and buy a new battery for your car.  Just
take your old battery in, find one in the right size with the terminals in
the right place, and buy it.  And, yes, they do sell one that fits, as I've
got Wal-Mart batteries in both my Ferraris.  (Trade in your old one for the
$5 core charge.)  Total cost, about $60 and an hour to jack the car up and
take out and install the battery.

I'll wager that this will "cure" your problem.  But consider also installing
a Deltran Battery Tender, by hardwiring the connectors to the jump points in
the engine bay (I'm assuming the 348 has them as well as the 355; your '95
has the battery in the front, by the RF wheel, I believe).  That way, if
you're going to park it for more than a day or two, just plug in the charger
and voila (or buy the accesory that allows you to plug it into the lighter).

Also, try using a voltmeter to see if your alternator is performing
properly, especially at idle with the a/c and radio running.  If it's
problematic, you may need to swap in the Nippondenso unit for the AC Delco
(though I dunno what Ferrari was using by '95), or, just have your old
alternator rebuilt to a higher output spec.  But try the battery first.
>From what you describe, the batter is probably toast anyway.

Vty,

--Dennis