hello to all about three month ago i had my alternator failing. Since it was replaced, I've had my battery going flat twice. Usually the battery would keep up for three weeks. Now after less than two weeks flat battery. The first time I figured that the battery was old so I replaced it. Happened again with new battery. Start thinking about something draining the battery. Could this be linked with alternator replacement ? Car is equipped with tracker. My mechanic tells me that the tracker's battery may be flat and draining the main one. Unsure about that since the tracker was installed less than 2 years ago. Has any 550 owner experienced similar issues ?
I had the same problem with my 550, it seems that when the car sits the battery is still using power to keep the computer energized. I installed a battery tender of about 1 1/2 amps and when not in use I just plug it in. No more problems and always in top charge.
How long is your car sitting between drives? Are you getting any other electrical issues? Could be a short somewhere that is causing the drain. Check the tracker battery - unlikely but possible. My thoughts are that it's a short. What's the build date of the car? --Dan
Thanks for your input Car is 98 Never had any electrical issues before alternator change. Actually alt was reconditionned but work done by reputable specialist. used to be good for up to three weeks between drive - although i tend to drive the car at least once a week usually. Now i am using the switch, at least as a temporary fix. this will be look at during service next month Just can't figure why suddenly this happends. I am sure there is something wrong. Can't use tender as car is parked in public parking with no power source.
It does : when I was last jumpstarting the car, the alarm turned on, and kept going after I used the switch to isolate the battery. Was running pretty flat though as alarm sounded faint.
550's are known for killing the main battery after the alarm battery dies. Extremely low batteries are known for killing Ferrari alternators (which overheat when working so hard to recharge them). In effect, to have a noisemaker on your car that won't even begin to frighten a pro thief, you get to pay to continually replace your batteries and alternators...all so that you *might* save your insurance company a few of its Dollars by potentially stopping your car from being stolen. For the alternator, the *worst* thing that you can do is to jump start your car on a completely dead battery. The alternator then works at max output just to keep your car running...plus attempting to recharge the dead battery. Trickle charge your battery...or remove your car alarm...or replace your battery. Jumpstarts are very costly if you choose to do them rather than the trickle charge or replacement battery. Jumpstarts will lead to alternator failure over and over again.
I put an optima battery in and the car nevers loses the charge now. i only drive it every couple of weeks and no problem at all. good luck.
The Optima battery is great. But if your secondary car alarm battery dies, even your Optima will be drained...and jump starting any dead battery, even an Optima, can lead to Ferrari alternator failure.
