battery terminal question..

It's a battery disconnect - not original but a common addition to cars that aren't driven regularly. By unscrewing the knob you break the contact so things like the clock don't drain the battery over time. There is another version that is more of an anti-theft device, which has a fused bypass that allows low-power devices (such as the clock) to keep running, but blows if someone tries to start the car. You certainly don't have to have it, but it's not a bad idea if you leave your car sitting long enough that battery condition becomes an issue. I for one hope you give your Ferrari more exercise than that!

 

What is that? ! Do you have a 400i? There is no computer.
Ken

 

I think the closest thing to a computer is the Marelli ignition box.

 

Just an ignition box. Please tell me you did NOT jump start this car. If so, you probably blew one side of the box and hence have a rough idle.

If you guys don't know.........Never, NEVER jump a 400/400i/412. Always charge the battery.

 

Well I am glad to hear that! Peel the carpeting back where the passenger puts thier feet. You'll see a black painted sheet of metal. Flop that backwards (grap it at the top and pull it back) there are your relays, etc.

It is a bit of a pain isn't it?

 

Is this something peculiar to the particular ignition box used on the 400? Because I'm sure I've jumped cars with Marelli electronic ignition units before (with no problems: perhaps I was just lucky?)

 

I don't know, but I can tell you you'll fry the one on a 400/400i real fast if you jump it.

 

I'm used to seeing plugs grey or maybe tan. White and Black both sound like they may have be an issue. Any sense of temperature on each side? Do you have a timing light you can use to check for spark on each side?

 

Aw come on guys, don't give Ferrari a hard time,...The English translation is on the right column. Do not, I repeat, do not attempt to read the left or center columns unless you are proficient in Ital. & French (I think they are). Hey, try reading that fold-out schematic in the back of the manual....it's a good lay-out, I just need my cheaters & a mag. glass.

That Zeus fastener @ top of the relay cover can muster up some frustrations.
Who got their car with the Zeus fully closed? I didn't.

 

Sounds like one side is getting spark, the other side--no spark, one distributor right?

 

Hi, in case Europe means Paris, feel free to pm me. Olivier

 

Yes, but it has a "2-sided" rotor and "2-level" dist cap so if something goes wrong with one end of the rotor or level of the dist cap you could lose just one bank of spark -- useful jpeg previously posted by Peter Moser:
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That's got to be it.