!!!Help Please!!! My 328 will not start | FerrariChat
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!!!Help Please!!! My 328 will not start

Discussion in '308/328' started by Hugo424, Mar 24, 2007.

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  1. Hugo424

    Hugo424 Rookie

    Mar 24, 2007
    2
    #1 Hugo424, Mar 24, 2007
    I own a 1989 328 GTS that short of the dirt under the tires that touch the ground is in flawless mechanical and cosmetic condition. The vehicle has 17k original miles on it, is serviced regularly...has NEVER seen bad weather, and is garaged during the winter.
    Here is my problem: "During its winter storage ( NOV- APR) I run the car once a week for about 15 minutes just to keep everything in check. Today (3-24-07) I started the car as I do each SAT; it turned right over and went to idle. At about 2-3 minutes into running it, it simply turned off...as if the key had been disengaged in the ignition switch. NO sputtering. NO choking. Nothing of any kind. It simply turned off! I attempted to restart the car but to no avail. I turned the key and nothing. NO cranking of the starter, no whining noise...nothing but silence. The only visible activity being the normal shift in the voltage meter as the car attempts to engage the starter. I am at a complete loss. I purchased the car last Sept. and except for a change out of the battery which had two weak cells, the car runs to utter perfection."
    I spoke with the prior owner and he could shed no light on the incident either.
    I would appreciate any help I can get. An email response to [email protected] would be very appreciated.

    Thank you very much for a prompt and courteous reply.
    Respectfully,
    Hugo
     
  2. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,615
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #2 Bullfighter, Mar 24, 2007
    You might post this in the Technical section, but I would test and fully charge the battery using an AC charger.

    The common gotcha with these cars is that if the battery light is still lit on the dash - as happens if you just let it run without revving up a bit past 1500rpm - the alternator is not charging the battery and the car is actually drawing it down.

    I'd guess you live somewhere cold (you might fill out your profile...), but it doesn't hurt to take the car around the block a few times during the off season when the streets are dry. Tires, wheel bearings, and all those switches that kick in during normal running (thermo-fan switches, etc.) need a workout. There are are too many <20K mile cars for sale right now that need all sorts of re-sealing, etc., from sitting around.
     
  3. John Harry

    John Harry Formula Junior

    Sep 8, 2005
    328
    Pittsburgh PA
    Full Name:
    John Harry
    #3 John Harry, Mar 24, 2007
    Hugo: If you look around FerrariChat you’ll find various opinions on this issue, but I’m definitely with Jon on this. I’d much rather see a car driven 30 minutes once a month than started and run 15 minutes a week. And put a battery tender (not trickle charger) on it too.
     
  4. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,221
    Twin Cities
    Full Name:
    Tim Keseluk
    #4 2NA, Mar 24, 2007
    Dead Battery
     
  5. RMDC

    RMDC Formula 3

    May 15, 2005
    1,005
    Boston, North Shore
    #5 RMDC, Mar 24, 2007
    Where in the world are you? I live in New England. Last run was in the middle of January and have been out twice in the last two weeks. When I do run the car it is long enough to get up to temp. What you are doing is probably doing more harm than good. When I have had to let the car sit due to extended cold and snow, I have done just that - let it sit. Run it or let it sit. When you do let it sit - do not do anything.
     
  6. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 28, 2003
    10,019
    Rocky Mountains
    Full Name:
    Bastuna
    #6 sherpa23, Mar 24, 2007
    DITTO!
     
  7. sammyb

    sammyb Formula 3

    Jun 23, 2006
    1,863
    Where wife tells me
    Full Name:
    Sam
    #7 sammyb, Mar 24, 2007
    Agreed -- the conventional wisdom is that you absolutely need to get the car running at least 30 minutes to do any good. Basically, if you just let the car idle for 15 minutes, you create hot spots. This also drains the battery (as others have said,) and it doesn't allow for the tranny to get warm.

    In the future, either drive the car 30 minutes, getting everything up to full operating temp, or simply store the car all winter (meaning Sta-bil in the fuel system, fresh oil at the beginning of the season, extra air in the tires, clean paint and interior, and a float charger (Battery Tender or similar) on the battery.

    As for what to do now, it is definitely electrical-related (since fuel/air problems present differently.)

    First steps:
    Charge the battery fully then try it again.
    If no go -- look to see that:
    - all the fuses are fine
    - the battery cables haven't come loose/broken.
     
  8. Hugo424

    Hugo424 Rookie

    Mar 24, 2007
    2
    #8 Hugo424, Mar 25, 2007
    Thank you all for getting back to me so quickly.
    I double checked the new battery and sure enough, from the cool temp of my garage, 50-55 degree and even though new; the electrolytes had weakened.
    What threw me off was that the car started and then just turned off. I forgot about your comments about the ALT not charging and if the battery were weak it would die out like that. I charged it up over night and all is fine. I also took it out for a spin around the island where I live and got it up to temp for a good 30-40 minutes. It is already wired with the battery tender, and came with it, and I put hooked it up when I returned from the drive.
    Thanks again. I really love the car and truly appreicate the support.
    Resepctfully,
    Hugo
     
  9. John Harry

    John Harry Formula Junior

    Sep 8, 2005
    328
    Pittsburgh PA
    Full Name:
    John Harry
    #9 John Harry, Mar 25, 2007
    Glad it was nothing more serious.
     
  10. jeffQV

    jeffQV F1 Rookie

    Feb 13, 2004
    2,976
    NZ
    Full Name:
    jeff
    #10 jeffQV, Mar 25, 2007
    prancing horses need regular exercise!!!
     
  11. Easyrider7467

    Easyrider7467 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2005
    980
    Northen N.J.
    Full Name:
    John
    #11 Easyrider7467, Mar 26, 2007
    Check out my recent post.. Search my username for it.
    I had the same or at least similiar issue.

    I put a "batetry tender Plus" on (make sure your making good connection, use sandpaper to scuff terminal clamps)

    and put a volt meter on to test the volts, pre start, during running (check alt working properly) and after I turned 328 off.

    Worked fine. But I was getting a bit confused cause everything ran god just days before. Good Luck
     

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