Electrical system failure car won't start | FerrariChat

Electrical system failure car won't start

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by anteekdoc, Jan 2, 2023.

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  1. anteekdoc

    anteekdoc Rookie

    Jul 28, 2012
    13
    Warren Pa
    Hi guys..
    458 Italia..2013
    9500 miles
    New Ultima red top battery 3 1/2 years ago
    Car not started for almost 3 months..kept on battery tender showing full charge.
    Today car made all the usual buzzes and noises when putting the key in.
    Dash lit up and looked normal.
    As soon as key is turned the lower part of the dash goes black and engine doesn't even try to start.
    In roughly 5 seconds all goes back to normal with warnings
    "power steering malfunction" and "electrical system not programmed"
    Reviewed posts on the site and there is no clear consensus..
    I am 5 hours away from dealer..
    Would it be reasonable as a first step to change the battery out?
    Thanks in advance
    John
     
  2. Kent Adams

    Kent Adams Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 11, 2020
    1,831
    Full Name:
    Kent Adams
    Yes, but then go through the resetting of the ECU's process after new battery.
     
    Rexcat458 likes this.
  3. todd cloud

    todd cloud Formula Junior

    Jun 21, 2019
    877
    Full Name:
    Todd
    Yes
     
  4. JTSE30

    JTSE30 F1 Rookie

    Oct 1, 2004
    3,242
    Austin TX
    Battery no longer has sufficient cold cranking amps (CCA) to start, it must be replaced.

    And, as a side note, batteries do NOT like to be fully charged at all times, it is best to let the battery go a week between being topped off (meaning taking it off tender for 7 days and then back on), allows the battery to breath, constantly being full causes wear and tear on the battery so it will have a shorter life than alternating it on/off tender.
     
  5. anteekdoc

    anteekdoc Rookie

    Jul 28, 2012
    13
    Warren Pa
    OK...thank you
    Will update once done
     
  6. todd cloud

    todd cloud Formula Junior

    Jun 21, 2019
    877
    Full Name:
    Todd
    hence the float mode on most tenders to achieve this result
     
    Eatpies99 likes this.
  7. Tarek307

    Tarek307 Formula 3
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    Sep 26, 2018
    1,294
    Long Beach, CA & Alexandria,Egypt.
    Full Name:
    Tarek Salah
    Most likely your battery, but please do update this thread and let us know what the solution was .
     
    Eatpies99 likes this.
  8. Boiler Inspector

    Boiler Inspector Formula Junior
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    Oct 14, 2017
    306
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Brian
  9. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 25, 2008
    14,101
    Amersfoort, The Netherlands, Europe.
    Full Name:
    Mel
    #9 Melvok, Jan 3, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2023
    Are you a DIY man? I hope so, it will save you a lot of trouble and money ...

    If you let the dealer do this for you, it may cost you up to $ 750 or even higher.

    So if DIY, go to the nextdoor carshop and buy a Bosch 75 Amps battery.

    Take out the old one and install the new one. (I took the nice sticker off the oem red battery with hot airblower and stuck it on the new battery)

    Read all about that in my DIY 458 thread: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/diy-maintenance-458-thread.595191/page-6

    Buy also a simple modern charger, they now also feature tricling. But a trickler is absolutely not a charger ...

    Let us know ...

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    DefunctNeurons likes this.
  10. anteekdoc

    anteekdoc Rookie

    Jul 28, 2012
    13
    Warren Pa
    OK...time and weather finally cooperated for me to put in the new battery.
    Ultima yellow top..pretty easy job like Melvok described.
    Went through the resetting process and the car started right up.
    I think I will let the battery "breathe" now as described above.
    Thanks all for your help...
     
    DefunctNeurons and Melvok like this.
  11. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 25, 2008
    14,101
    Amersfoort, The Netherlands, Europe.
    Full Name:
    Mel
    Any photo's made ?
     
  12. anteekdoc

    anteekdoc Rookie

    Jul 28, 2012
    13
    Warren Pa
    No, sorry.
    The car was put away up against the wall of the garage on the passenger side so I couldn't open the passenger door.
    I had to lay over the console to do the job..pretty awkward
     

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