Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Ferrari 348 Electrical Drain

[Martin Stark (MStark]

Connect the meter leads before fully disconnecting the cable to avoid a 
possible radio recoding.

Jeff Greenfield wrote:

> Dr Steve - 
>
> Could be a lot of things.
>
> First the battery should be fully charged and then tested. The battery could
> be failing which causing too much a voltage drop during starting, which in
> turn is causing the clock to lose its memory.
>
> Next, also with a fully charged battery, the charging system should be
> tested just to be sure that there is not a problem there. It's possible that
> a bad alternator could cause an excessive voltage draw when the car is
> parked.
>
> If all that checks out and the problem is still present, you need to measure
> the parasitic draw of the system. To do so, you will need a multi-meter
> capable of reading up to at least a couple of amps.
>
> Make sure all electrical accessories, interior lights, etc are off.
> Disconnect one of the battery terminals and connect the meter in series with
> the battery. IOW one lead of the meter will go to the battery, the other to
> will go the cable, the battery remains disconnected from the cable so any
> current has to go through the meter.
>
> Typically a modern car should measure somewhere around 150 mA or less. If
> you measure something much larger, start pulling fuses one at a time until
> the draw drops. This way you can identify what circuit(s) might be the cause
> of the problem. Most likely, you'll find something like a failed interior
> light relay, a problem with the stereo or power amp (if equipped), or an
> alarm system. (aftermarket alarms are notorious sources of drain even if not
> armed).
>
> LMK what you find, or if you need further help.
>
> I'll now go back into hiding for another month or so, ok Dennis?
>
> Jeff
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BRIGANDBAR [at] aol.com [mailto:BRIGANDBAR [at] aol.com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 1:03 PM
> To: Jeff Greenfield
> Cc: The FerrariList
> Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Ferrari 348 Electrical Drain
>
> 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.
>
> Dr. Steve  
>
> 1964 Rolls  Royce Silver Cloud III    1975 Pontiac GV Conv.
> 1980 MB  450SL                 1982 RR  Corniche
> 1994 F-350 Powerstroke  4x4          1996  Bronco
> 2000 Lincoln Town  Car                   2004  Excursion
> 1995 Ferrari 348 Spyder
> + Audrey's 3x MB's
>
> Dr.  Stephen B. Spies, CES, CFI
> Director, Forensic Sciences  Laboratory
> Explosives Engineering Technologies
>
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