| Author | Message | ||
| mark frassinelli (Mark328)
New member Username: Mark328 Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2002 |
Carmine, Success!! I had the same problem as you. When I took apart the switch, the green wire and solder were disconnected from the copper contact. I soldered it back on and now the parking, headlights and fog lights work great. Thank you and the others on this site very much for helping me. There are some great people that own Ferrari's and share the passion for them. Mark | ||
| Carmine Nicoletta (Ncarmine)
New member Username: Ncarmine Post Number: 6 Registered: 6-2002 |
Here's the picture. That green wire is supposed to be soldered to the contact. The other contact has a black wire soldered to it. Try to use a sharp blade and apply pressure to separate the rotating knob from the plastic that snaps into it. It should pop off easily. This switch controls ALL the lights. If this contact fails, like it did on mine, the only thing that works are the turn signals and the emergency flashers. All the external lights, along with the internal dash lights and the fog lights, do not come on. Let me know how you make out. Good luck. Carmine  | ||
| mark frassinelli (Mark328)
New member Username: Mark328 Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2002 |
Carmine, Mine is a red/tan 1986 328 GTS. I am not sure if the fog lamp switch on the center console only works with the parking lights on using the left side rotating switch on the steering column. Please attach pictures about popping the switch open if you have them. I will also try to find where it grounds out. Fortunately, I have the wiring, workshop and parts manuals so that helps but still not easy find the wires in the car. I have also heard of the need to resoder the connections on the back of the relay and fuse panel due to cracks in the soder. Voltage is getting to the switch so I am not doing that yet. Thanks, Mark | ||
| Carmine Nicoletta (Ncarmine)
New member Username: Ncarmine Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2002 |
Mark, Don't pull the steering column apart yet, it's a PITA and you need some special tools which you can make. I believe the 1st and 2nd problem are related to the left rotating switch on the steering column. The easiest thing to do is to carefully pop the switch open (be careful not to loose the small ball bearing) and check the solder connections. I discovered I had a cold solder joint after I had the entire steering column apart. I'll post some picture later to show what I'm talking about. BTW, what year is your car? Carmine | ||
| Ken Ross (Kdross)
Junior Member Username: Kdross Post Number: 70 Registered: 2-2002 |
The first thing you should check on any Italian car that is experiencing electrical problems is a bad ground. As to the relays, I would replace all of them. They are probably corroded and in need of help anyway. Ken | ||
| Aaron Marks (Aaronb)
Junior Member Username: Aaronb Post Number: 57 Registered: 1-2002 |
Mark, I had a similar experience when I first got mine - but I found that a rat had knawed into some wires and caused the problems. It sounds like a short of some kind - check connections and perhaps follow the wiring. I would have never thought of a rodent living in my car either. Good luck. Don't let it taint your F-car experience - just consider it a good excuse to really get to know your car! | ||
| mark frassinelli (Mark328)
New member Username: Mark328 Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2002 |
Thanks, how do I test the relays ? I was also thinking of pulling the steering wheel to check the connections at the switch in the steering column. And maybe I can pull the access panel below the steering column to clean the wiring connection from the switch. What do you think ? Mark | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 1894 Registered: 12-2000 |
For your lights: you've checked fuses, but have you checked the relays? They seldom go bad, but they still can. Your CD player may need professional help, or toss it and get a new one (these days, they're not that expensive). | ||
| mark frassinelli (Mark328)
New member Username: Mark328 Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2002 |
After a long search, I found a nice 328 GTS with 19,000 miles and good records. I had it transported in an enclosed truck from Denver to Florida using VIP Transport. After waiting a month for it to arrive, I now have 3 new electrical problems. The first is the parking lights will not come on, the headlights will not pop up and turn on and the side marker lights are not working. Most of the dash and console lights are also inop. That is all controlled by the left arm on the steering column. The only thing that works on that is the daytime flashing of the fog lamps. On a couple occasions, I could get the headlights to come up and go down and the dash/console lights to flicker. The fuses checked good and a mechanic tells me I need a new switch for $600. I think it could be some loose connections caused by the truck ride. The second problem is the fog lamp switch on the center console does not work. I think the lights work since the daytime flashing works using the switch on the console. The third problem is CD player will load but not play the CD. All this seems to be caused from the ride across country. Waiting a month to get it and now this, is not making my Ferrari experience start off right. The rest of the car is great and I enjoy driving it but I can't at night. Does anyone have any ideas to assist me? Sounds like it could be some loose connections. Thanks for your help, Mark |