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FerrariChat.com » Technical Q&A Archives » Archive through August 05, 2003 » MONDIAL STARTING PROBLEM - HELP A NEWBIE PLEASE!! « Previous Next »

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William A. Swezey II (Swezey)
New member
Username: Swezey

Post Number: 6
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 8:31 pm:   

Thanks guys!! Lots of good ideas and enough to keep me busy this weekend exploring the new toy. Will post how it turns out.
Bill White (Nc_newbie)
Junior Member
Username: Nc_newbie

Post Number: 144
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 8:12 am:   

This should be fairly easy to find. Here's one possible procedure to diagnose:

Jack up car. Short the solinoid key switch wire to power with a screw driver or other tool. If starter runs then the problem is between the key wire and the battery/fuse box. If the starter doesn't run the problem is the starter/solinoid or the power/ground connections.

Bill
Charles T (Charles)
Junior Member
Username: Charles

Post Number: 126
Registered: 2-2001
Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 7:57 am:   

Check the cable connectors going to the fuse box. Look for loose connections as well as burnt/shorting markes. My '84 Mondial wouldn't start because of intermitant shorting. It also died once because the connection cable to the fuse box became loose.
William A. Swezey II (Swezey)
New member
Username: Swezey

Post Number: 4
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 7:34 am:   

Thought I'd log on and see if anyone has read my message - WOW! So much great help! Thanks for the quick input everyone. 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 would not start on its own but again ran fine from dropping the clutch and it got me home. So rule out the battery. Also definately there is no charging going on so there is some kind of issue with the charging subsystem. It looks as though we are looking at

a) A grounding problem

OR

b) Bad contacts on fuses

OR

c) solinoid / regulator

????

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. Thanks!!
TOM BUCKLEY (Tom_b)
New member
Username: Tom_b

Post Number: 16
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 6:50 am:   

William,
I answered your post over in the GENERAL DISCUSSION area. I don't know how to transfer posts between sections. :-(
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member
Username: Lawrence

Post Number: 710
Registered: 4-2002
Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 5:52 am:   

Charge battery and run motor. Check voltage across battery terminals. It should be reading over 13 volts. Mine charges at over 14 when first started, then falls off to lower 13's.

If you are not getting a battery charge, you might need new brushes in your alternator. The brushes and voltage regulator may be combined. They are on some other Bosch alternators.
Bill White (Nc_newbie)
Junior Member
Username: Nc_newbie

Post Number: 143
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 4:32 am:   

Start with the simple stuff. Remove battery cables and clean terminals. My first reaction was solinoid but if you had a new starter and solinoid put on it is either battery connection or key switch (assuming battery at full voltage).

Bill
Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
Member
Username: Sam

Post Number: 381
Registered: 4-2001
Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 12:22 am:   

algar ferrari is in your area I think
William A. Swezey II (Swezey)
New member
Username: Swezey

Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 11:34 pm:   

Realized that I probably should NOT have posted this in the GENERAL SECTION -sorry. I'll get the hang of this. So here it is again in the correct area.

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!!

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