| Author | Message | ||
| Jay S. Morris (J_saber)
New member Username: J_saber Post Number: 31 Registered: 12-2002 |
James C. I been having the same problem with my car, an 82 Mondial. I need to rev kick in the alt? Why does it not work right away? Could it be something else. I know the car won't run off the alternator sometimes, probably because it has not kicked in. Car drives fine afterward though! Kinda weird, huh? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2423 Registered: 9-2001 |
that does, thank you for your insight | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 683 Registered: 11-2002 |
TomD, It "can" result from disconnecting either. Elec flows in a cirle or path with return, however you want to look at it, called a circuit. The Alt is producing Elec and a byproduct heat, as long as it can push/send and regulate the Elec produced (and the heat) it works within design capalities and lasts indefinately. However when a Flow Path is removed the produced Elec has no where to go and because the Reg is monitering Battery needs the Regulating function is bypassed, fullfielding the ALT causing it to overproduce/overheat the over production and sharp temp rise can burn out the diode trio..I've been told. Hope that helps. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2421 Registered: 9-2001 |
thanks, and this would result from removing the negative only? why exactly does the diode burn out - because the circit is disconnected and thus not complete? just trying to further my knowledge | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 681 Registered: 11-2002 |
That's correct, disconnecting the battery can ruin an Alternator, burns out the diode trio. Every book on testing batteries/elec systems cautions against removing the battery from the circuit while running. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2417 Registered: 9-2001 |
could you explain why this would result in alt failure? I know several people whos neg connection with the battery became disconnected inadvertenly and did not damage the alt. | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 233 Registered: 3-2001 |
Guess I got away lucky this time. Measured the battery last night?12.5V with the engine stopped, and between 13.5V and 14.5V with the engine running, just where the reading should be. | ||
| Stephen J. MacKellar (89gtb)
New member Username: 89gtb Post Number: 10 Registered: 12-2002 |
LENS - re your comment that "it continued to run after I disconnected the negative terminal"?? If you mean the batteries negative terminal, disconnecting/removing it while a vehicle is running usually results in instant destruction of an alternator - is that what you did, and if so why?? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2397 Registered: 9-2001 |
not sure, but I have been using the same battery for over a year now, I think max amp is more a concern with the alt rather than a battery - but I am no expert | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 232 Registered: 3-2001 |
Well, I installed the Optima last night and the car started right up. Continued to run after I disconnected the negative terminal. Question: I purchased the Optima Red Top 34/78. It has 750 CCA @ 0 degrees F, and 980 CA @ 32 degrees F. I called Optima and they said their Red Top batteries were suited to all Ferraris. Anyone know what the maximum amp requirement is for 328Ss? Couldn?t find this spec. in the owner's manual. | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 231 Registered: 3-2001 |
Bruce, any other time I would take the day off and spend it in the garage, but I'm in the middle of a crunch! I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1606 Registered: 4-2002 |
so len than prioritize first, play then work...hope the weather gets warmer so the nj and the hutch crowd can start reving the engines.. regards, bruce | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 229 Registered: 3-2001 |
Picked up an Optima Red Top at Pep Boys last night, and will install tonight. Isn't it awful when work interferes with the things you really want to do? | ||
| James Christian (Jimc)
New member Username: Jimc Post Number: 43 Registered: 7-2002 |
If you don't rev the engine up a bit and kick-in the alternator, the car will sit there and idle until the battery dies. This can happen very, very fast- especially if you don't drive the car much. Watch the dash for the red battery / alternator light. Make sure you give the engine just a few extra revs shortly after starting to make sure it's out! Oh yea, go for the Optima Red Top. You won't be sorry! Cheers! | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 228 Registered: 3-2001 |
Thanks Tom. I'll keep everyone posted. I also hope to see more of you NJ guys this year. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2363 Registered: 9-2001 |
they are just the color variants - red- yellow, orange. they don't differ within the colors. I think most use red and some use orange which I think has the reverse terminals. We really should get together one of these day since we live so close together. good luck | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 227 Registered: 3-2001 |
Hi Bruce. Its been a while; can?t wait for this lousy winter to end. New tires on both of my everyday vehicles (they were due), a new radiator on one of them, and now this! And I was just about to celebrate almost two years of trouble-free Ferrari ownership. I had two neighbors come by to help me push her in the garage, with Mila in the front seat steering. It didn?t really matter that the car wasn?t running, they came over just to be close to it! Aah, the Ferrari mystic, although I can?t slight my 911SC? as bullet-proof a car as they get. Tom, I hear what you?re saying, and will investigate further once I get it running. Would you happen to know which red top you have in your Mondial? Do I go by model number, or size? Thanks. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2361 Registered: 9-2001 |
len I have the red top in my 86 mondial, while it sounds like you are due for a new battery I am not sure I agree it is your issue. I would think the car should be able to run off the alt without the battery - technically the alt should be charging the battery while also running the car - I assume you do not have a bunch of aftermarket electronics on the car etc. Check the wires to the coils etc make sure all is tight | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1590 Registered: 4-2002 |
LENNY LONG TIME NO TALK... SEEMS LIKE A BATTERY PROBLEM...PEP BOYS HAS IT.SHOULD BE UNDER $100.. REGARDS, BRUCE | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 226 Registered: 3-2001 |
Thanks guys. I think I will start by getting the car running! New battery first, then do some troubleshooting. I?ll call Optima to find out which battery (red or yellow top) they recommend. I understand the yellow top is a marine battery that works best for cars that are stored/not used every day. The irony is I have a Schumacher trickle charger in the garage which I never got around to installing this past summer. | ||
| Michael N. (Man90tr)
Member Username: Man90tr Post Number: 751 Registered: 4-2001 |
Lens, Sounds like the battery same thing happened to my TR once. Took just about 15 minutes also. Probably Alternator didnot kick in and battery died. Were you sure the alternator light was off? Change battery first then is my guess , plus with a poor cell you should change it anyway even if is an ignition wire. Michael | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 395 Registered: 1-2002 |
I know a guy this happened to once and it turned out to be a loose wire at the ignition ECU. Worth a shot, plus it's free. Dave | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 448 Registered: 5-2001 |
Optima is now sold at Costco...There are several alternatives now too, as Optima is licensing the technology, look for the terms "oribtal" or "spiral wound" in the labels... | ||
| Carl Rose (Carl_rose)
Junior Member Username: Carl_rose Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Mr. Soccolich, I would think of this as "electrical problem in diagnosis" and not necessarily primary battery etiology. Sounds like battery is marginal at this point, but would thoroughly check system before pronouncing "cured". 1. Slow charge (or have pep boys/autozone, they're usually very accomadating) your current (pun intended) battery. Fast-charging only imparts a "surface" charge. Have them load-test: should pass/fail. If bad, obviously need a new one, but: 2. (with new/old battery in place) Start car & check voltage at battery terminals. With car off usually 12-12.5v, running 13.5 or so. This tells you A.) Alternator making current and B.) voltage regulator passing to battery. Also of course check terminals making good contact & alternator belt tight & in good condition. May also want to check connections at alternator & consider removing/bench-testing. In my limited experience, cars will continue to run (once started) after removing battery cables. Sufficient "run" current is usually supplied by the alternator...and the fact that the car will start argues that battery is/was OK (and failure secondary to not-being-adequately-charged). Attached picture of a good Haynes manual on electrics (ISBN 1 85010 654 1):  Happy to copy & send chapters on starting & charging systems. Best of luck,  Carl ...I know there's JRV about here somewhere...(smile) | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 959 Registered: 3-2001 |
Lens, Pep Boys has cheap Optima batteries. | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 225 Registered: 3-2001 |
Was ready to go for a ride today and was letting the car warm up. When I got in, even before releasing the parking brake or touching anything, the car just died. Lights and windows work, warning lights come on and then go off like normal, but the car won't turn over. I have a 39 month-old Interstate battery which I tested�four cells require a recharge, one is poor/fair, the other is borderline good. I'm thinking (hoping) new battery. Anyone know a good source for Optima batteries? Voltage regulator? Alternator? I guess I won't be able to rule them out until I get the car started. Thanks for the help! |