Advice Please - Car Just Dead When Key Inserted | FerrariChat
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Advice Please - Car Just Dead When Key Inserted

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by Akajak1, Aug 22, 2020.

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  1. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #1 Akajak1, Aug 22, 2020
    Wonder if anyone can offer any advice ?
    Car is a California T.
    When I put the key in ignition there is nothing just a blank screen/s; I have to use the key release feature to release the key.
    I put the car on a CTEK conditioner and it reaches the 3/4 full indicator and then generates an error and stops.
    Similarly the Ferrari conditioner gets to 4 or 5 lights then throws an error .
    I garaged the car with the roof down after a long run (just 2 days ago), have I made a mistake doing this ?
    Can't think what the problem is just as dead as a dodo.
    TIA
     
  2. alex

    alex Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2003
    699
    Crystal Lake, Illinois
    Full Name:
    Alex
    #2 alex, Aug 22, 2020
    How old is the battery?
     
  3. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 22, 2002
    19,256
    #3 ttforcefed, Aug 22, 2020
    you arent trying to start it with the tender connected are you?
     
  4. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #4 Akajak1, Aug 22, 2020
    Hi Guys, the battery is a couple of years old, on Thursday went for a long drive so was expecting all aok with battery.
    No, I disconnected the tender.
    I'm surprised that nothing is switching on, although I can lock/unlock using the key fob
     
  5. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 22, 2002
    19,256
    #5 ttforcefed, Aug 22, 2020
    never heard of this issue before...try disconnecting the battery and reconnecting. sometimes these cars need a good old fashion cntrl-alt-delete
     
  6. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #6 Akajak1, Aug 22, 2020
    ok thank you, will give it a go, just surprised nothing is switching on
     
  7. alex

    alex Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2003
    699
    Crystal Lake, Illinois
    Full Name:
    Alex
    #7 alex, Aug 22, 2020
    I think there's a thread on the forum regarding the disconnect/reconnect procedure.
     
  8. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 13, 2014
    26,056
    DFW, Texas
    Full Name:
    Tom C
    #8 tomc, Aug 22, 2020
    Just thinking of loud...

    Could it be the key? Have you tried both keys?

    Perhaps the ignition switch is somehow goofed up?

    T
     
  9. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #9 Akajak1, Aug 22, 2020
    just an update; none of the cars key fob functions are now working (tried both sets) so cannot lock/unlock etc
     
  10. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #10 Akajak1, Aug 22, 2020
    the car seems to have just shut down !
     
  11. SLViper1

    SLViper1 Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 25, 2014
    767
    Nashville/Destin
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #11 SLViper1, Aug 22, 2020
    test battery voltage/replace
    Good Luck
     
    whatheheck likes this.
  12. alex

    alex Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2003
    699
    Crystal Lake, Illinois
    Full Name:
    Alex
    #12 alex, Aug 22, 2020
    Possibly just an anecdote, but not long ago a Portofino owner posted a thread regarding battery issues after the car was stored with the roof in the open position. I always close the roof before I enter the garage (Cali 30 owner). I have no idea if keeping the roof open has any effect on battery drainage, but you might want to keep it in mind.
     
  13. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #13 Akajak1, Aug 22, 2020

    thank you will do
     
  14. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #14 Akajak1, Aug 22, 2020
    F assist coming out to take a look..............
     
    tomc likes this.
  15. alex

    alex Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2003
    699
    Crystal Lake, Illinois
    Full Name:
    Alex
    #15 alex, Aug 22, 2020
    Good news...please keep us posted!
     
  16. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 27, 2006
    4,148
    Seattle, Wa
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    Dan L.
    #16 whatheheck, Aug 22, 2020
    As others have mentioned most likely its a battery issue.
    It doesnt have enough power to start the car or even unlock doors.

    Get a new battery. Ensure its fully charged before you install it in your car and your car should fire right up.

    And ensure you follow the battery reset procedure.
    Here it is.
     

    Attached Files:

  17. Redneck Slim

    Redneck Slim Formula 3
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    Mar 10, 2011
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    Palo Alto,CA,USA
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    Walt Kimball
    #17 Redneck Slim, Aug 22, 2020
    With the Portofino,information on roof operation is spread over six pages. There are many warning,but nothing about storing the car with the roof open. If I had a suitable garage I would leave the roof down for months at a time.

    The starting point for your problem is measuring battery voltage.
     
  18. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #18 Akajak1, Aug 22, 2020
    Dear all
    Thanks for the helpful replies.
    F Assist came out very promptly and their focus was immediately on the battery. They found that the negative terminal was not secured correctly . Thankfully a simple fix. They then cleared the engine error codes, asked me to road test (all aok).
    I was very impressed with their prompt response and rectification of the issues.
    I’ve put the battery back on the tender but it seems to be struggling to get to fully charged status. I’ll leave it overnight and check in the morning. A copy of their report is being sent to Ferrari which shows what the issue was and also the detail of the error codes cleared.
    For info the car was returned from the dealership 2 days ago for some faults to be addressed. I shall ensure they have a copy of the F Assist report for their attention.
    Once again thank you all.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
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  19. RamsHmb

    RamsHmb Formula 3
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    Jan 22, 2017
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    #19 RamsHmb, Aug 22, 2020
    So I was going to reply with my fix but u got your answer. I had this exact issue happen to me on my cali t. Drove to the grocery store, parked and when I came out it was dead...zero life. I called f and scheduled a truck. While I was waiting I decided to pop the hood and take a look...the negative clamp had come loose and popped off. Put it back and all was good. I would highly recommend all t owners to check the clamps to make sure they are tight. Too coincidental....
     
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  20. alex

    alex Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2003
    699
    Crystal Lake, Illinois
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    Alex
    #20 alex, Aug 22, 2020
    So glad it was a quick fix! Hope your battery was not drained too much by this issue. Thanks for sharing the info with us. We learn from each other (not so much the manual!)
     
    Akajak1 likes this.
  21. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
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    Hopefully some place nice.
    Full Name:
    A.B
    #21 Il Co-Pilota, Aug 25, 2020
    Get a new battery. The fact that the battery struggles to take a charge, means that the battery is done. This combined with the fact that Ferrari stock batteries are junk, means that it is just a matter of time before you are stuck somewhere.

    Get a battery suitable for your car, namely a Braille B10049. You are not driving a Chevy Spark, so forget the Interstate stuff. For all intended purposes the Braille is dirt cheap for the level of performance and reliability you get. Do it once and do it right.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
    tomc likes this.
  22. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #22 Akajak1, Aug 25, 2020
    I have looked but in UK seem difficult to now get hold of
     
  23. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
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    A.B
    #23 Il Co-Pilota, Aug 25, 2020
    Ah. Thought you were US based for some reason. I can't get the Brailles here in Europe either, so use Varta Silver Dynamic. So far going strong.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  24. Akajak1

    Akajak1 Karting

    Jun 24, 2020
    82
    UK
    #24 Akajak1, Aug 25, 2020
    Wheels1 likes this.
  25. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
    6,023
    Hopefully some place nice.
    Full Name:
    A.B
    #25 Il Co-Pilota, Aug 25, 2020
    Wheels1 and Akajak1 like this.

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