| Author | Message | ||
| William A. Swezey II (Swezey)
New member Username: Swezey Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2003 |
Augustine, I'm actually in COchranville which is about 30 minutes SOuth of the airport right off of Rt. 1. We should get together. How long have you owned your Ferrari? I'm a week on now. :-) | ||
| Augustine J. Staino (Azzuro328)
Junior Member Username: Azzuro328 Post Number: 126 Registered: 4-2003 |
William, Check your other thread regarding shops in the Philly area. My car is at Galbraith's right now. I'll let you know more when I get the car back. By the way, where in South Philly are you? My parents were born and raised there and I spent most of my childhood hanging around my cousins house at 19th and Shunk. Best of luck! | ||
| William A. Swezey II (Swezey)
New member Username: Swezey Post Number: 5 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thanks guys!! Lots of good ideas and enough to keep me busy this weekend exploring the new toy. Will post how it turns out. | ||
| Brian Keegan (4redude)
Junior Member Username: 4redude Post Number: 126 Registered: 7-2002 |
I would start with the fuse box. There was an updated fusebox available. If your car doesn't have the GM style ATC fuses, you have the old fusbox. Also check the white plastic multi-connectors for signs of overheating/burning. I believe the fuel pump circuit is one of the ones that primarily overheats. | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 380 Registered: 10-2002 |
I agree with Rich...I suspect the ignition switch also. If the starter was bad that would not account for the car just dying doing down the road, only when starting. You mentioned that your old battery accepted a charge, but was it a "good" battery under load? If so then your charging system is okay. Yep..sounds more and more like ign. switch or ground issues. Good Luck. | ||
| rich (Dino2400)
Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 367 Registered: 10-2001 |
When you turn the key, what do you hear? Nothing? When the key is in the "on" position, do you have power to accessories/lights? Yes? If those are the correct answers, I'm suspecting your ignition switch or its wiring. Can you see the starter? If so, find the wire to the solonoid and measure to see if it is getting 12v when someone turns the key. If so, the problem is likely the starter but since you just got a rebuilt one I doubt this. If you can get to the wires that come out of the ignition switch, you can 'jump start' by touching the large wire that has 12v going into the switch to the wire that goes to the starter. If the starter spins when you do this, but not when you turn the key, your ignition switch is the problem. | ||
| Don Vollum (Donv)
Junior Member Username: Donv Post Number: 120 Registered: 1-2002 |
Mondial fuse boxes are notoriously bad. Mine seems to be OK, although I have my share of electrical problems (mostly with various lights). I would start with the fuse box. | ||
| William A. Swezey II (Swezey)
New member Username: Swezey Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thought I'd log on and see if anyone has read my message - WOW! So much great help! Thanks for the quick input everyone. David is right in that as soon as the battery could not fire the plugs anymore the car quit. It must not take much juice to fire the plugs because the battery was so drained by the time it quit that it wouldn't even actuate the bonnet switch so I had to use the pull wire. I had the car towed to Pep Boys (EGADS!! I didnt let them touch it!!) and bought a new battery and installed. The old battery accepted a charge from a charger. With the new battery in the car still woudl not start on its own but again ran fine from dropping the clutch and it got me home. So rule out the battery. It looks as though we are looking at a) A grounding problem OR b) Bad contacts on fuses For the grounding problem, anyone have an idea where I should start? In other words - back of the car near the engine or front of the car near the battery? What seems more likely? Really appreciate the help and am WOWED by the friendly and quick repsonses. Will post more as we resolve this. | ||
| TOM BUCKLEY (Tom_b)
New member Username: Tom_b Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2003 |
Hi William, I,ve got an '88 Mondial that is my daily driver and can testify that it is stone cold reliable. Electrical problems are not my forte. I still don't understand why , when a wire is cut, all the little electrons don't spill out  I'll take a crack at helping with my limited knowledge anyway. First thing to consider is that the battery is bad. If the previous alternator was malfunctiong this is a real possibility. Have the battery checked under load or just put in a new one. The next likely suspect is the fuse block. Locate all the fuses and relays associated with the starting circuit and clean all contacts and treat with Stabilant 22A. I would do this to all the fuses and relays but right now we're just trying to get the car to start. In case you don't know, Stabilant 22A is an "electrical contact enhancer". NAPA stores can get it under their product # C-1 (?). I doubt they will have it in stock and will have to order it. It's 60.00 for 1/2 an once and woeth every penny ! I hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. Tom | ||
| Robert Oglesby (Testar1988)
New member Username: Testar1988 Post Number: 18 Registered: 5-2003 |
Hello William, You are on the right chat line, there are a lot of knowledgable Ferrari owners on this site. I own a TR so I am not quite up on Mondial's, but help is on the way!! Hang in there, I also had quite a few bug's to get out of my TR, but they are awesome machines that need to be driven!! And yes get in the Ferreri club, you can do that on line, alot of fun run's, and the people are really great..Take care, and keep me posted..Robert | ||
| David Harris (Dakharris)
Junior Member Username: Dakharris Post Number: 179 Registered: 6-2001 |
If you weren't charging, the car would eventually run out of electrical power to fire the plugs. It must be battery related. If the battery is charged, check the connections, as Jeffrey suggests. Ground connnections could be corroded. The grigio looks great! | ||
| Jeffrey Wolfe (86mondial32)
Member Username: 86mondial32 Post Number: 362 Registered: 5-2003 |
From what you mentioned it could be afew things. Even simple grounding. As a Mondial owner I can tell you that they are weak in the electrical department but once you sort them out they are rock solid.IF I can assist in any way let me know | ||
| William A. Swezey II (Swezey)
New member Username: Swezey Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hi folks! Well, just got home from Chicago driving my new 85 Mondial QV. Always wanted a Ferrari and well now... I am reminded of the phrase "Be careful what you wish for..." Anyway, it seems in fairly good shape, drove and ran well. However, before I flew out to Chicago to bring it back I had some work done on it. The previous owner said it was having starting problems and sure enough the mechanic out there said the starter was having intermittant problems (when hot) and the alternator was bad. So a rebuilt starter and alternator and about a grand later I am driving my new prize home. Here's the problem - the car did start twice - once about a mile form the shop when I filled the tank and once about an hour later when I stopped for a soda. When I finally stopped to refuel and get some lunch I came out and BANG "no go". Desperate to not have to have the car towed another 500 miles home I popped the clutch (I know please forgive me) and she fired right up. The next morning after a long cool night she still wouldnt start so I dont think the problem is heat related. Then, crusing down the OH turnpike at about 80 the engine quit altogether. After some swearing and diagnosing, I figured out that the battery had gone completely dead - couldnt even honk the horn so apparnetly the alternator was not working or was not getting to the rest of the circuit. Could this be a regulator problem? I am not too knowledgable on cars but I guess I better learn quick. The car starts every time popping the clutch (OK OK I only did it twice just to get home) and runs well once started. Any suggestions? Also I am looking for a good mechanic near Philly (South of Philly actually) that can work on all exotics. I'd also like to join a Ferrari club - again looking for suggestions. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It looks great in the driveway but I bought it to drive! Thanks guys!! |