Stranded!

When the light comes on its definitely the charging system, which does not necessary mean its just the alternator. This may well just be a bad connection to the battery which will not allow the charging of the battery. Or even the wire with in the plastic cable may well be broken. This some times happens on the 355s, the cable to the battery looks fine on the outside but has corroded on the inside after careful inspection.
So before you start to strip the alternator out, start by checking the tightness of the connectors on the charging system. Including the condition of the battery and cables.
Also by you saying the car died a few miles latter tells me that the battery or connection might be the cause. This is because if it was the alternator, then the light would have flickered way before that as the Alternator would have been struggling.

 

Sounds like the alternator failed, ran on battery power for a little bit, then ran out of charge and died. Did you plan on driving it until it wouldn't run, after you saw the light?

 

It's one of two things Bill.

1) The bullet connector came loose
2) The Alternator bit the dust

I have my money on the bullet connector. Those stupid things have caused more problems. I got rid of them on my car all together, ran solid cables for both the positive coming from the starter, and the negative off the battery. Cost me about $30 to have the cables made. Remove your air box and have a look at the bullet connector right under it, attached to clip on the subframe. If that connection gets loose the positive charge going to the battery gets broke, giving you the battery light, and the car running until all the power in the battery is gone.

Now if that checks out okay then you'll need to rebuild your alternator, which is no big deal and can be done for around $50. Here's the how-to http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142329

What ever the case it's an EASY, and CHEAP fix.

 

Let us definitely know what it is will you bud. It could be ANY of the above.

 

History-wise, I think we've seen a couple of broken alternator brackets here, which could loosen up the belt, and we've definitey seen a few alternator belt tensioners that were not properly tightened and caused belt problems. When you get under the car, you MIGHT just find that the belt is really loose (or gone!).

 

Early Bosch or the later (and much better) Nippondenso alternator?

 

Great news

 

Bill,

sorry to hear you got stranded. glad you got home safe. sounds like its something very minor, which is always a sigh of relief!!

 

Let us know how you go Bill.


Hopefully those connectors just need some cleaning. Makes your life easy then!

 

What those connectors really need is being replaced with solid cables. Those damn bullet connectors are a pain in the ass. A stupid design in my opinion.

 

What those connectors really need is being replaced with solid cables. Those damn bullet connectors are a pain in the ass.

 

Have you checked the belt?

 

I HATE thiefs!!!

 

Funny, nearly the same happed to me last year. Even after 3 years of ownership the batterie light goes on and 20 minutes later the engine stalled, more than 100 km far from home. This was the one and only time i stranded with my 348. It comes out that the alternator (Nippondenso) failed, a wire junction at the rotor was lost. Maybe this was caused by a previous oil leak from the camshaft seal above the alternator.

Good luck and regards, Georg

 

Did you check the tension on the belt yet, as was suggested by Jeff??

One more thing.

How old is your battery?? Could be that you battery has had it to. And, I'm glad to know you got rid of those damn bullet connectors. Smart move that'll save you from headaches down the road.