Hi everyone. I had my battery replaced on my 458 at the dealer about a year ago, and recently left it off the tender for about 10 days. It’s completely dead, and the tender didn’t seem to help after charging for a few days. I connected the battery to a 10a plug-in charger, and it indicated the battery is bad. The dealer said they can send over a flatbed and fix it at the shop, but obvious I’d prefer to avoid that if possible. Any insights, or ideas? Just seems odd to have a bad battery after a year.
I had the same type of thing happen on my 458 a few years ago but was able to slowly bring it up to a level the car would start. If you had the alarm set/doors locked for the time period it was off the tender that could drain it to the point it will not respond to a tender.(I don't recall the level but my 4.5 Amp Bettery Tender definitely will throw an error if the battery it too low). I doubt your battery is "bad" (as in faulty) but probably just so drained it won't charge. Have you tried using a portable jump starter? That might work and avoid the tow- I keep one of these handy- just a thought- Image Unavailable, Please Login
You might be able to connect a good 12V battery in parallel like you are jumping it and try your larger 10 amp charger to charge them both together simultaneously to fool the charger that it is charging a battery with some voltage. Some solid state chargers will not start a charge on an anything that it senses is very low voltage eg. 3-5 volts. Changing a battery in the 458 isn't too much of a problem if you are handy with some basics. I have outlined how I did it. Depending on the type of battery that went flat, it may be damaged to the point where it may not regain full capacity even if you are able to get it to charge by the method above. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/tips-for-replacing-458-battery.670670/#post-148915936
^^ +1 Connecting another good charged up car battery in parallel for a few hours/overnight has worked to gently bring the dead battery back to a high enough level it could accept a charge from a charger again. If this doesn’t work it’s probably new battery time.
What type of battery did you dealer give you a year ago? How much ? Would you consider a new Braille battery ? Yes it costs more. But then again how much time, frustration, and inconvenience have you spent on on your 2 dead batteries ? (Everyone of my 4 bought new FCars (360, California, 458 s F8s) had a dead battery within 1 year of ownership. This is why I switched to Braille in the 458Spider and F8 spider. For me it has been worth it )
Thanks everyone for the tips. I haven’t had a chance to try it, but I spoke to the dealer again today and they’re going to send someone out to try and get it jumpstarted. I did try my plug-in charger, but no progress. It’s due for service anyway, so worst case I’ll just let them tow it in and see how that goes. Thanks!
I have a knack irrespective of brand if its 2nd hand car my batteries fail within 1 month So after the 3rd or 4th one i just replace it as soon as car arrives
Hi everyone. Quick update. They brought a jump pack, and that was able to get the car started. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t turn over again after they turned it off. They towed it into the dealer, and it looks like one of the battery clamps is cracked and that caused the issue. They’re going to replace that and we should be all good.
Better have the dealer check the charging system as well. If the battery terminal connector is cracked/ loose there is a good chance that the battery became intermittently disconnected while the engine was running. Disconnecting the battery on a running alternator will blow the internal diodes. That may be why the battery is dead prematurely as the alternator is not working, but some dash light should warn of that. Get it checked though in any case.
You would not connect a jump pack to a 430, you can bugger up the electronics. Not sure about a 458 but i would be more inclined to swap out the battery. A non electronic old style charger with a 4 amp output is good for a flat battery that a charger will not look at
The jump pack was recommended by the dealer, and the guy that showed up did this with all of the Ferraris that they handle. That doesn't mean it's correct (which concerns me), but that's what they said and what they did. I told them I didn't proceed further, because I too was worried about the electronics. They said it would be fine. Regardless, I got the car back and all seems to be ok at this time.
What was the original problem? A dead battery because of a broken clamp? Did the dealer replace the battery? Thx.
Weird. I guess the battery was essentially disconnected from both the car and the tender with a broken clamp and probably did not discharge because the of no parasitic loss. So the battery must have self preserved itself because of the broken clamp. It started on the jump start, but would not restart because in effect, the battery was probably disconnected. I am just trying to make sense of all this. I gather was the negative terminal quick disconnect clamp that was broken. I still think you better get the charging system checked because if somehow the engine/ alternator was running with a disconnected battery, it can blow the alternator diodes.
I appreciate the detail, because I'm just not that familiar with the implications. I'll follow-up and get things checked.
Firstly, absolutely no issue with a starter. Actually, IMO buy one and it's not if you will need it but when. Secondly, dealers always say the battery is ok and was new. My take on it ill bet you will be stranded one day so buy a starter. Faulty or not of the positive clamp the battery will still drain if the negative post is still connected to the chassis.
