550 battery dead

Went to take the 550 this morning....she has been sitting two weeks.

Open up the door and get in, close the door and it bounces back open (window didn't go down the 1/2 inch)...puzzled I check the other door (I am an idiot after all)...same thing...then I realize the car is dead. Now both doors won't close.

I checked FChat immediately and it appears it is safe to jump, but I have decided to get a charger.

Now, remembering I am an idiot....how does one do the charging thing?

Do I buy a designated "trickle charger" and let in run over night hooked up to both terminals on the battery and then try to start tomorrow morning? Or is there some other procedure?

Thanks.

Hope I haven't damaged my windows....dang!

 

Don't try to turn it over until it's charged or you'll kill the airbag ECU.

 

Rob- Darth is correct. Get a trickle charger and let it charge several hours. Expect more problems from the battery now that it has gone flat.

If it were me, I would just buy a new battery now and not fiddle with the one in it, as long as you can make sure you do not have a short somewhere. Here are the battery recommendations for Maranellos. I attached a copy, as well, since the site wipes out any included images when you paste it.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Mondial/TR/512 TR/F512M/355/456/456M/550/575M/599 Battery

MTP-91 Interstate (More Power, Cheaper, Lighter, than MTP-H6)

Product ID: MTP-91(Automotive Truck)
Amps: 875
Cranking Amps: 875
Cold Cranking Amps: 700
Voltage: 12
Termination: A
Pro-rata Warranty: 85
Weight: 36.9 lbs
Width: 6.88” (175 mm)
Length: 11.38” (289 mm)
Height: 6.88” (175 mm)
Retail Price: $124.95

MTP-H6 Interstate (Alternative)

Product ID: MTP-H6 (Automotive Truck)
Amps: 800
Cranking Amps: 800
Cold Cranking Amps: 640
Voltage: 12
Termination: A
Pro-rata Warranty: 85
Weight: 40.8 lbs
Width: 6.89” (175 mm)
Length: 10.94” (278 mm)
Height: 7.48” (190 mm)
Retail Price: $163.95



Delco 48-6YR is a substitute for the MTP-91

48-6YR 12 Volt Automotive 110 700 875 11.5 6.8 6.8 35.5

Retail Price: $112.44
View attachment 575M Battery.doc

 

thanks guys, you rock.

I tried turning the key briefly (twice) but there was nothing...no crank....zilch...can that still hurt the ECU?

 

Rob,

Listen to Terry and get a new battery. And install a battery tender when you replace your battery.

I have a Schumacher SE-1-12S tender installed. Though I drive my 550 regularly, if I know I won't be driving it for more than 7 days, I plug it in.

There are external tenders available as well.

Barry

ps I'm sure your windows are fine.
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By the way, a real neat battery charger is the Solar PL2216 Pro-Logix 16 Amp Automatic Battery Charger. It's fool-proof! It won't switch on if you accidentally cross the leads. It automatically senses the battery type and charges accordingly. And when it's finished charging, it goes into "Float Mode" and acts as a battery tender.

It's $98.56 at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/PL2216-Pro-Logix-Automatic-Battery-Charger/dp/B000OCFHHK
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Probably no harm done to the ECU, Rob, if it was just a couple of brief tries.

Barry

 

In many cases that's true, Terry. But a relatively new battery that can't crank an engine is most likely discharged to a point just below the cranking threshold and can be charged successfully without future concern. An older battery or a battery that has gone flat several times should be replaced without any deliberation.

So, like Rocco at Classic Coach says: "Either the battery is dead or it's dead-dead." I love that technical talk!

Barry

 

OK....so I bought a charger and just hooked it up at 2 Amp charging.

As soon as I turned the charger on the car's alarm chirped and then this banging sound, like a pump, started "thumping" down in the car...it lasted for about 10 seconds and I couldn't locate it....what the hell was that!!!!!!!?????

I hope this isn't going to cost thousands more.....

 

I use a Battery Tender charger on my 550. Works great.
Cost is about $60. Comes with the extra set of leads you can install on the battery terminal bolts and have a quick connect plug to it.

Replace the car battery if it ever becomes 100% discharged. Most of the time, when the car won't start, there is still some charge left in the battery - just not enough to turn over the starter motor. However, my understanding is that a car battery will refuse or it will be very difficult to get the battery to accept a charge if it is ever 100% discharged. If this happens, I recommend getting a new battery because it will never be the same or be as reliable as it used to be.

Typically you have to leave something like the lights on in a parked car to fully discharge a battery. If the car has sat for week and won't start, often there is still enough life left in the battery to bring it fully back to normal.

If a shop replaces the battery for you, make sure to check the radiator tank in front of the battery. I think they remove that tank in a 550 to get the battery out and back in. Check the level of antifreeze after having a battery replaced.

 

Nah! Just a successful defibrillation. Your car's coming back to life.

Charge your battery with the battery cut-off switch in the OFF position.

Barry
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Toggie,

It's not necessary to remove the tank. You can loosen the bracket and tilt the tank forward to replace the battery.

Barry

 

What is the cut off switch position thingamajiggy?

What was that banging from???

BTW: thi sbattery is only about 3 months old....didn't use the car for only 2 weeks....does this mean I have an electrical leak somewhere?

Thanks guys...I'm eating up finger nails here.

 

Dang it... I didn't turn that switch off....does that mean I'm hosed here?

 

Rob,

I think you're still OK. Just turn the battery cut-off switch to the OFF position.

Barry

 

Ok...will go do right now.
Thanks.

 

I'm not sure, Rob. Your battery was probably somewhat discharged the last time you used your car. The 2 weeks discharged it further, under the cranking threshold. So your battery wasn't "dead-dead" just "dead."

As I mentioned, I drive my 550 frequently but when I know I'll not be driving it for a week or so, I plug in the Schumacher.

Barry

 

OK...she fired right up. Took her for 30 min drive and everything appears to be 100%....whew.
Thanks guys, knew I could count on you!
Rob

 

Rob- I love a happy ending. Did not realize your battery was new.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

For an easy-to-use, economical battery tender, I recommend the CTEK with the cigarette lighter adapter. Works like a charm and keeps the battery floating at full charge. The entire set up was less than $100 new on ebay. There is an identical Ferrari-branded CTEK tender, but as Taz and I both learned the hard way, it comes with an adapter that doesn't appear to work on the 456/550/575s.

 

Allan- Right now that CTEK Ferrari charger makes a nice paperweight. The little red cover with the black cavallino, however, might end up on my Ferrari-branded CTEK with the alligator clips in its Schedoni case. Expensive piece of nylon at $70, but not as bad as what you paid.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

+1
I was told can't leave 550 for over 2 weeks ....
my car was wired for the battery tender and it works great.
got a 25 ft BT extension cord for around $12 on ebay.

 

I turn the battery switch off after every drive, after lowering the driver window about 1/4". I use an Optima battery. No problems since I started doing that.

 

I ignore my battery if it is going to be 10 days or less between drives. If more, I use the CTEK charger. No problems so far, but the car is normally driven 2-4 times a week.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

wbklink,

I'm thinking of installing the BT bolt-on wiring to my 550 - currently I pop the hood and use the alligator clip ends. I lower the hood but don't close it while it is charging.
Where on your car does the bt plug exit the hood area? Is it sitting behind the front grill or elsewhere?
Thanks.