| Author | Message | ||
| Richard Ham (Hampappy)
New member Username: Hampappy Post Number: 23 Registered: 2-2003 |
Sounds like the famous ferrari wiring; bad connections and so on. Its got to be either the earth or the supply. The earth should be easy to check. On mine its a screw to the bodywork, joint with the RH fan. This should be clean. The supply seems to go directly to the relay. So you could check the voltages here. hope it helps | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Advanced Member Username: Peter Post Number: 2960 Registered: 12-2000 |
You could try that, hook the meter probes straight on the wires and see what she's doing... I noticed whoever worked on my car before, got the wiring all wrong (and did a poor job of the wiring too: multi-coloured wires from fan to fan, hooked up backwards, crimp-connectors, etc... Yuk!). I started from scratch, soldered all of my connections and she works like a champ now, even in this hot weather (and it was hot today...). I thought about it, maybe that puff of smoke you saw was not the fan, but your leaky top rad hose. I'd still concentrate on getting that fan fixed first, then replace that hose. | ||
| Robert W. Garven Jr. (Robertgarven)
Junior Member Username: Robertgarven Post Number: 214 Registered: 2-2002 |
Well I was wrong sort of. I took the L. fan out and hooked it up to the battery and it worked fine, put it back and nothing. I wired the fan switch on and sill nothing, but when I wired the positive wire off the R. fan to the left fan it came on? Then I replaced all 3 of the fan relays and only the r. fan would work, however when I spun the l. fan it would rotate slowly. I assume that it is slowly failng I am curious why the fan would work straight off the battery but not through the system. Is it possible that it is starting to fail and generating more resistance and after going through the fuses and wires and relays that there is not as much juice? I guess I should check the voltage coming off the l. fan wire. Is there a way to hook the meter to the unconnected fan wires to see what is going on Any thoughts? | ||
| Robert W. Garven Jr. (Robertgarven)
Junior Member Username: Robertgarven Post Number: 211 Registered: 2-2002 |
Thanks guys, I think I figured out what happened. Whwn we left to go for dinner last night I thought I saw some steam coming from the front hood lovers in a puff then another a few minutes later. pulled off and looked everything seemed ok. Got on the freeway and within a few minutes the G light started coming on intermitently, for about a minute then off came on later for about a minute then off. When I got home checked the car for all the regular culprits. belt fine, no leaks etc. I drove the car today and no G light at all got home started looking at the front and noticed the left fan (drivers side) was not coming on. I checked the fuses fine, switched the relays, no change, only the right fan was on. Checked the voltage on the battery 13 volts car off, 14.5 volts engine running. I am thinking the fan motor went bad (puff of smoke)and while shorting out or burning up somehow temporarily (hopefully) affected my electrical system. I must admit I am not very knowledgeable about electronics. The fuse is not blown and the other fan seems operating fine coming on at the right temp and also with the ac on. I will remove the fan tomorrow to check on it. I read all the posts in the archives but I really would like to get the exact fans as I am trying to keep everything as stock as possible. If anyone has any leads on someone to rebuild them that would be great. I would also buy 2 new ones if anyone has the same original style? BTW way my engine is pretty clean down there now, the gt4 has no cooling fan duct or sheild for the alternator. Here is a picture of the "thing" before also. I polished it so much it just can't go bad :-) Thanks for all you guys help!! Rob   I thought my radiator was leaking but the angled hose up front is swelling up, (has anyone seen this before) and seeping around the radiator end, I tightened it up but it is leaking just enough to make it look like the radiator leaking... Whew!!! | ||
| David Prall (Davidpra)
Junior Member Username: Davidpra Post Number: 163 Registered: 2-2001 |
I would drive it around a bit more to see if it "shakes itself out" --- be sure to not go far, or at least take your cell phone should you break down. I've seen these cars do this routinely if they sit for a while --- usually the problem resolves itself. By the way, a good alternator shop can run a full diagnostic of the unit while it is still on the car. | ||
| Verell Boaen (Verell)
Intermediate Member Username: Verell Post Number: 1001 Registered: 5-2001 |
Measure at battery, or even the cigarette lighter. You're not interested in super precision, but rathar looking for a distinct drop of a volt or two when the light's on. Robert's right, most likely the voltage regulator or it's brushes are starting to act up. BTW, any chance there's a bit of oil dropping down on the alternator from the front head? Most common cause of early alternator failure in 3x8s/Mondials. | ||
| Robert W. Garven Jr. (Robertgarven)
Junior Member Username: Robertgarven Post Number: 210 Registered: 2-2002 |
Thanks Richard, I assume to check that I would put the meter on the pos and neg posts or on the pos and car frame? I cleaned up the alternator pretty good and took it in for a check about 1000 miles ago hat to have to take it off again!  | ||
| Richard Ham (Hampappy)
New member Username: Hampappy Post Number: 22 Registered: 2-2003 |
Mine does this occasionally. I figure its the regulator, so the alternator will have to be rebuilt sometime. It's just a b**r to get out. In the meantime the light goes out if the engine is revved a bit, or strangely enough in my case if it is stopped and started again. If the lights on (not charging) you only get battery volts at the battery (~12) and if the lights off (ie. charging) you initially get 14-16 volts. Richard | ||
| Robert W. Garven Jr. (Robertgarven)
Junior Member Username: Robertgarven Post Number: 209 Registered: 2-2002 |
I checked the archives but could not find exactly what i was looking for. My 1975 gt4 always has the generator light on on start up and sometimes during idle, which i think is normal. Tonight I was driving after the car sat for about 3 weeks. The light would come on intemittantly for about a minute then go off. I have a meter is there a check I can perform at the battery to make sure the system is charging? Any other suggestions, this has never happened before.. I had the alternator checked last year. The belt is new and properly tensioned. |