348- Flashing Dash/Exterior Lights - Engine Won't Start

Hey All- I'm new here...bought a 1995 348 Spider this past summer. Low mileage...approx 19K. Prior to purchasing car it had an engine out service with other maintenance done as well. Performed well all summer. I didn't drive much in November (approx a month) and went to start recently and battery was dead. I bought a CTEK charger and battery took a charge no problem. I went to start the car and received no response from the engine. All the interior dash and exterior lights just keep flashing/pulsing. Any feedback on this? I tried searching the forums, but didn't see a similar thread. Thanks in advance everyone! -jc

 

Does the starter click at all? If the starter at least clicks, maybe take a wooden dowel or a long extension and a rubber hammer and whack the starter body a couple of times and then see if it'll turn over. Had that issue on my car and had to get the starter rebuilt. If that's not the issue then i'll let the other guys chime in

 

Nope, not even a click...

 

Change battery

 

Is your battery actually above 12 volts? I also think it could just be a dud of a battery at this point since it completely died once as @flash32 said

 

New battery time

 

A new battery is prob best case scenario. Would all of the dash lights and headlights work if the battery was toast? Is there a preferred battery type?

 

If the battery is not putting out enough current, i.e. fails under load, you may get relays reluctant to energise or stay energised. Some relays operate at lower currents than others. I would expect the headlights to be dimmer than usual though, even if the relays energised.

 

Update...Installed a new battery and nothing changed. No engine turnover/click....just flashing dash, brake, and fog lights. Searching other forum topics I'm thinking it could be a starter relay issue? Any other thoughts? Thanks in advance! here's a short video of what it's doing.

 

I bet there’s an aftermarket alarm in the car and it got triggered when you swap the battery. At some point, somebody probably removed the siren that’s why the lights are flashing the same as if the alarm was going off, you just can’t hear his siren because it’s probably not there anymore. i’ll bet you there’s an external starter kill relay near the ignition harness somewhere.

 

Is the flashing happening even when you’re not trying to crank the engine?

 

Yes, the flashing starts when I open either door. I bet OB917 is onto something above when he mentioned an external starter kill relay. It didn't happen when I swapped the battery, but I do think it was somehow triggered when the battery power wore down after not driving for a month. So I'm thinking I have to somehow figure out how to remove/disconnect the wiring for the alarm.

 

most alarms have a normally closed, starter kill circuit. So if you unplugged the alarm or find its power source and disconnected it that relay should be closed and allow the car to start. Not every starter kill is like that, but most are. it should not be too hard to find any aftermarket wiring if you look underneath the drivers side of the dash
Good luck!

 

Possibly, but I don’t know why the gauges would flash…. unless someone did a partial alarm removal and got the wiring crossed up.

 

If it is an alarm causing the issue that alarm would be connected to the parking light Circuit. That will cause the dash lights to flash

 

Do you know where I would find a circuit diagram?

 

So not connected to the turn light system like most Ferraris?

 

Have you looked for a small black push button switch under the dash. Has called the valet button. You turn the ignition on and then back off and push that button that will probably deactivate the alarm if it is an alarm.
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it could look differently, but this is the most common form of a valet switch

 

if it is an alarm problem that alarm would power the parking lights, which intern would turn on the dash lights on every time the alarm flashes. Just like if you were to turn your parking lights on and off from the column switch. they usually flash the parking lights, not the turn signals

 

I’m sorry, but I don’t understand how that would be helpful. If it is the alarm causing the problem, you’re gonna have to physically find where the alarm is installed and disconnected. Every install is different depending on who did the install it shouldn’t be hard to find if you start looking underneath the dash. of course there might not be an alarm and it could be another issue lol. but looking for an aftermarket, alarm would be a quick and easy possibility to eliminate

 

I'm sure you're right....i'm not the sharpest when it comes to mechanical things....

 

Found these 2 things that look out of place...
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Sorry i cant tell from that pic. But you will have better luck removing the panel under the steering column. Any alarm would most likely be installed behind that panel. Did you happen to notice any extra power wires run to the battery? Something with a small gauge fuse holder? Sometimes alarm installers will run power directly to the battery. I doubt it, but it’s possible.

 

I don't recall any extra wires running to the battery. I'll work on removing the panel and checking it out. I appreciate all your info...you've been very helpful!