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Well, something was bound to happen eventually :-)

Discussion in '348/355' started by Chupacabra, Jul 23, 2011.

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  1. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
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    #1 Chupacabra, Jul 23, 2011
    OK, so I'm having a starting issue with the 348. Brand new battery (as in bought it today), turn the key once, lights come on, I hear the fuel pump, go to engage the starter and...nothing! No clicks, loud or soft, absolutely nothing. It did this once before and then started twice since, so I thought it may have just been a one time hot start gripe or maybe a weak battery, but now it seems to have completely given up.

    What do you experts think? Am I most likely looking at a new Starter/Solenoid? Anyone know how those rebuild kits on ebay are?
     
  2. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    #2 plugzit, Jul 23, 2011
    The ebay kits are fine. Try jumping the solenoid, maybe buy a remote starter switch to keep for just such emergencies. Nothing more embarrassing than standing by your Ferrari waiting for a towtruck.
     
  3. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
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    #3 Chupacabra, Jul 23, 2011
    I'm sure :) OK, I'll give that a shot (solenoid) and see what happens. Remote starter button...I would never have thought of that! Interesting proposition! Thanks!
     
  4. Saint Bastage

    Saint Bastage F1 Rookie

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    #4 Saint Bastage, Jul 23, 2011
    That happened to me also. Found a previously installed alarm with an ignition cutout relay that had gone bad. Didn't know it was there...now its isn't.
     
  5. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    #5 Miltonian, Jul 23, 2011
    You shouldn't hear the fuel pumps (in back) when you turn the key to the first position. What you are hearing is probably the ABS pump (in front).
     
  6. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
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    #6 Chupacabra, Jul 24, 2011
    Ahhh, ok. I always assumed it was the fuel as it sounded to me like it was coming from the back. Guess not!

    Didn't get to troubleshoot any today, but hopefully I can get into it tomorrow.
     
  7. Rob'Z

    Rob'Z Formula 3

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    #7 Rob'Z, Jul 24, 2011
    ABS??? I though 348s were supposed to be manly? Us F355 guys get all this flak for just power steering?


    ;)
     
  8. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
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    #8 Chupacabra, Jul 24, 2011
    OK, so I pulled the airbox off and found that the red plastic battery quick disconnect had come lose. I'm guessing age and heat finally got the best of the plastic locks, and they fell off one by one until a total no start resulted. It has been patched with aluminum duct tape fro now, but I'd like a more permanent and, dare I say it, classy solution :) Has this part ever been revised or upgraded? Any recommended DIY upgrades? Thanks!
     
  9. 3forty8

    3forty8 F1 Rookie
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    #9 3forty8, Jul 24, 2011
    Just grab a few feet of bulk battery cable from an automotive shop and get rid of the quick disconnect entirely. If you want something "classy" looking, you can get the battery cable from a car audio shop in a variety of colors/styles and some machined battery terminals.

    While you are at it, you can do the same with the ground cable (which also has a disconnect) and shorten the length of it, improving your ground. I think the original is close to five feet long - I replaced mine with two one-foot lengths (one from battery to frame, the other from gearbox to frame).
     
  10. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
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    #10 Chupacabra, Jul 24, 2011
    You know, I think I just may do that. Thanks for the idea!
     
  11. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    #11 Miltonian, Jul 24, 2011
    I replaced my original battery cables exactly as described by Eric. The bullet connections are a really dumb idea.
     
  12. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
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    #12 Chupacabra, Jul 24, 2011
    I had never seen anything like that, honestly. I'm surprised they survived as long as they did! I'm going cable shopping tomorrow :)

    At least everything is running strong now! I'm stoked that it was nothing very serious and I can get back on the road quickly!
     

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