348 Starter, sometimes it just clicks

Ive been through all this. New contacts etc but I had the turn the key and nothing happens issue a short while ago. So I made up a loom and relay .Just fitted a couple of weeks. All sorted. There is plenty of info about the starter relay mod out there but here is a link to my thread and my install. You may want to try this. Scroll down the page a bit.

http://www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?52489-Ferrari-348-engine-bay-and-rear-end-restoration/page61

 

I think that's my next step. It's hot here in Atlanta, but it's not ever related to it being hot. Sometimes it's when it is a cold start.

Nice job on the pigtail. About how long are your leads?

sjd

 

Dependant on where you mount the relay to how long the leads are. If you put it where I have allow a couple of feet and trim down accordingly to get the exact length before fitting the terminals. Obviously they are a different lengths. Its not always a hot weather issue but for me it was. Cheap to try. Nothing to loose.

 

Had the same problem even after installing a new battery in the rear. Sometimes it would start right away and the next time only getting a clicking sound.
Check all connections and found a lot of corrosion on the middle connector to the frame on the grounding strap.
Clean it up with a wire brush, reinstalled and have not had a starting issue since as it has been almost two years ago.

 

Due diligence is the key. From my experience, they claim to sell "new" starters but they''re actually rebuilt units. And they slap a huge Ferrari Tax on it. Pretty much the same "core" (Denso) but with different mount adapters depending on the application. Their Triumph/Rover replacement was the same used for Ferrari, but about $200 less.

They sent a failed unit for my 88 Mondial, and followed it up with replacement parts. I had to rebuilt it myself.

Here's a 348 starter, and the FerrariStarter (88 Mondial).




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88 Mondial and FS


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Forced DIY


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Great, is awesome that you can help someone with this issue 5 years later
I appreciate all the info

 

For the record, the only thing that fixed it was the remote relay modification.

I just did one for another guy in the area, and it seems to have fixed his as well.

sjd

 

I clean my stater today, but still fails sometimes.When I knock then works again... I decide to purchase one of those.
Thanks for share the link.

 

How do you do that? So my stater is not the issue?

 

Before you conclude that you need a new starter, check the following:

1. Condition of the pins for the thick white wire in the multi-pin connector at the left suspension tower in the engine compartment. The white wire comes from the ignition switch and goes to the starter solenoid. The pins for this wire may be corroded and/or partially burned as they carry fairly high current. Any resistance developed within this white wire will cause reduced power on the starter solenoid (and click-nothing).
2. Check and clean the quick connectors under the air box for the positive and negative battery cables.
3. Check/clean the connection points of the engine and gearbox ground strap.

If the above solves the problem, you should then install the (remote) starter relay to reduce the possibility of the problem returning.

 

Thank you do much.
What is it? (Remote) starter? Sorry I’m new here, and I just bought the car

 

To reduce current load on the car's wiring wiring, some folks add an additional relay to the starter circuit. The volts from the ignition key goes through several inline connectors (two in the fusebox) and, as Miroljub says, one connector near the strut. These are common weak points.

Depending on the age of your car, you may have one white wire going through a circular plug near the LH rear strut, or two white wires going through a rectangular plug near the LH rear strut.

Here's a wiring diagram:

https://www.dropbox.com/t/xJYQ2Ig2o2FhTxjB

If the wires are not visible, go by the pin numbers on the diagram.

Did you say you already bought a new starter? Or will buy? You may also be able to buy much cheaper repair kits (rather than the whole starter). There are common things which wear out on starters.

 

Here's the basic wiring diagram for adding a starter relay:
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You can find articles on this if you search the forum or google for it. Some use the standard (universal) 30A automotive relay for this mod but I decided to use a cube shaped motorcycle starter relay here because of its robustness. This is my installation of the starter relay including elimination of the battery cable large in-line connectors (I connected the negative cable direct to the engine and inserted mega-fuses in the positive cable):
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Your questions have been answered!

sjd

 

Really aprecciate all the pics and imput I'll try to do the same,
thank you so much
I bought one from this guys
https://www.classiccarperformance.com/collections/ferraristarters-com

 

Thanks for all the info, I appreciate
It's just strange that when I knock the stater the cars starts... thats why I decide to purchase one. But I might have miss diagnostic ....

 

Back in the 80's we used to drove with a hammer to tap the starter when the 70's cars starters failed to engage. That was a symptom of a sticky starter.

 

I install the relay and now the car start as brand new.
I believe the car has all kind of the shortage…
A/C sometimes turn off, radio if volume up, shut off, windows are super slow to go up.
I’ll be looking on this.
Any ideas or tips are welcome.
Best regards

 

Just have a look in the 348 DIY sticky and you’ll find what you need.