Intermittent Non Start issue

Check the ground cable to the battery and the engine ground first.

 

Next time it won't start, try it with the headlights on. If they don't dim, you're not sending current to the starter. If they dim, the current isn't turning the starter.

Meanwhile, check the service records. I just had a nine year old alarm system removed that caused a similar issue with my 328.

But years ago, I also had a starting issue that came from a battery connector. When the car was cold, the connector fit tight. But when the battery area got warm, the connector expanded more than the battery post, and the connection got loose. I cleaned the connector and reattached it, coating it with the electrolyte gel they sell for spark plug boots. No more problem.

 

It's always a good idea to confirm the battery ground cable and engine ground are in good condition but the fact that he said gauges, horn etc. work would indicate that they are probably okay (granted the starter pulls a lot more juice that these items).

The positive side cables/connections should also be checked. People tend to fixate on ground connections/cables. Good + side connections are absolutely no less important than good ground connections/cables.

Solenoid causing trouble due to heat soak is certainly a decent possibility.

 

Good point although I doubt on this car there is much chance of that because the battery does not sit in the typical high heat area of an engine compartment.

Actually I'm kind of guessing at that I assume the battery on a GT4 sits low down and in the middle towards the front of the car like on a 328 but I could be wrong. Not sure if radiator heat hits it either. On a 328 the radiator heat is routed up and out of the hood (not towards the battery location).

 

wrong Another thing what's definitely better on the GT4 regarding access. I admit, I have just 'stolen' the picture from a different thread. Credits and thanks to Beta Scorpion for his thorough and detailed GT4 report.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105874&highlight=battery+gt4

Best Regards

Martin
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The battery on a 328 gets plenty warm in summer, sitting directly behind the radiator. It was the 328 that had the thermal connector issue. On the positive cable (as you noted). And the gauges and lights still worked fine -- the loose connection could feed that much juice. But when you'd hit the starter, everything went dark.

That's why the first test it to check the starter with the lights on. Either you don't have the current to turn the motor, or you're not sending current there.

Like as not it's the solenoid or an older alarm/recovery system or a bad connector in the wiring to the solenoid.

(I think I might have broken even. I paid to install the remote kill, paid even more to have it removed, nine years later --- but it saved me 25% off my comp insurance for many years in MA. (No discount for it in VA, though.))

But intermittent bugs are a pain to track down. All you can do is check all the boxes.

(I had an Alfa with dirty solenoid that would stick once in a while. The current through the wiring wasn't enough to move it -- but if you bridged the plus voltage from the battery lead with a screwdriver, it would kick the solenoid loose, and then it would start from the key. (The solenoid both switched current to the starter and pushed the starting gear out to mesh with the fiywheel .))

 

So, same location as my Lancia Montecarlo. Not much heat there with my Lancia and probably not on a GT4 either.

 

Glad to hear it was an easy fix. Relish this one because the next one might not be so easy!!