355 alarm battery removal | FerrariChat

355 alarm battery removal

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by J. Salmon, Dec 14, 2006.

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  1. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
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    Aug 27, 2005
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    #1 J. Salmon, Dec 14, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have searched the archives to no avail. The alarm LED is flashing fast, telling me the battery is on the way out. I have removed the alarm unit. I have read of 2 screws that need to be removed, and the you essentially cut/pry the thing apart. I don't have two screws, but instead have 2 deep sockets filled with rusty metal - no screws, allen bolts, torx nuts or any other fastener.

    Could they have used some type of sheer nut? Should I drill these out? Do I need to do anything, or just pry it apart? Any help is greatly appreciated!
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  2. Kieran

    Kieran F1 Rookie

    Jul 23, 2006
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    I could SWEAR theres a post about this around...

    I am no help though, sorry
     
  3. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
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    Check all the indicated threads.

    All of the contributors did exhaustive noting on this procedure.

    It's actually quite simple. I cut around the mold line with a box cutter slowly and repeatedly until the two sections separated.

    The battery type is the mystery until you get it opened. One is a solder-on style which does considerable corrosive damage to the circuit board when it goes bad. The other is a dual round battery which can be replaced.

    Bruce has the round batteries. I believe they are about $40.00 each and there are two.

    It's all there in the threads with plenty of photos.
     
  4. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
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    I had seen most of these, except TonyC's off-forum pics. No one else mentions having to remove any screws from the case, so I will just crack it open. I don't want to start prying only to have it held by unseen fasteners.

    Thanks for the help.
     
  5. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
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    #6 J. Salmon, Dec 15, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    OK, the correct answer was phillips head screws X2. The rusty things were in fact fasteners. Since most of my screw drivers are now the convertible type that will not fit into a deep socket, it took a bit to figure out. So, for the record:

    355 Alarm battery replacement:

    Jack car on left side.
    Remove left front wheel.
    Remove underside cover in front of wheel well (screws).
    Remove front panel of wheel well (screws).
    Look above washer fluid resevoir, the alarm will be a 4x4x4 inch black box attached by two bolts to a bracket (see first picture in thread). Test with key fob if not completely dead (the beep will be LOUD with your head in the wheel well...)
    Remove bolts.
    Unplug and remove alarm box.

    Once box is loose:
    Remove plugs of black silicone in 2 holes on back of box.
    Use phillips screw driver to remove 2 screws (possibly really, really rusty) inside case under the plugs.
    Use box cutter, razor knife, or chisel and work around seam in plastic case to pry open the box.
    Remove screws to loosen the circuit board and remove battery.

    Change battery, silicone unit together, reinstall, drive until repeat.
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  6. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

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    That looks very different from the 360 unit as is the battery!

    There were no screws on the 360 unit for opening the housing although there were mold marks inside where there could have been screws.

    Ferrari apparently did not want this serviceable.

    They wanted to keep the service departments busy ay $500-$600 per pop!

    Good going to get it to work.

    What was the battery in yours and where did you locate it? It looks like a portable phone battery.
     
  7. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
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    I blindly ordered the 355 alarm battery off Fchat, but I don't have it yet and am not sure it will work. But Bruce has agreed to help me source it, so I should be OK before long.

    Though it was a bit tricky to figure out how to get it apart, it looks like it will go back togther pretty easily, those pesky screws will keep it snug.

    Cheers!
     
  8. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
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    Bruce is very helpful, and he will steer you in the right direction. Some guys used portable phone batteries, but they may have a higher amperage draw which could damage the built-in charging circuit.

    I am amazed that there were screws!

    I glued only the 4 corners with epoxy and then used a weather-resistant and very thin 3-M tape all around to seal it. It's a very snug seal.

    I felt it would facilitate the process again when required, and since I do not drive the car in lousy weather I am not concerned about a little moisture inside the alarm housing.
     
  9. BWS550

    BWS550 Wants to be a mod

    Apr 1, 2002
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    JUST READ THIS

    THANKS G CARO FOR THE KIND WORDS

    THE ROUNDS BATTERIES I HOPE THEY DIDNT SEND

    J

    SEND ME THE OLD BATTERY, (3.6 VOLT, EITHER NIMED HYDRIDE OR NI-CAD)

    TO ME AND ILL REPLACE IT FOR YOU

    I NEED TO SEE IT AS THEY HAVE DIFFERENT SOLDER POINTS AND THE MOLEX CONNECTORS ARE DIFFERENT

    ITS A 25 0R 30 DOLLAR FIX AS OPPOSED TO 500-800.00 DEALERS WANT FOR A NEW ALARM..

    I HAVE EMAILED YOU MY ADDRESS....

    BTW, GCARO IS CORRECT...NEVER USE A TELE BATTERY AS THE AMPS MIGHT DIFFER AND EITHER BURN IT OUT OR THE ALARM MIGHT NOT WORK DUE TO THE SPECIFIC SPECS


    THANKS GUYS

    I JUST HATE TO SEE FERRARI MAKING ALL THIS MONEY FOR A BULL****T PART THAT CAN BE HOME-DONE FOR LITTLE MONEY

    REGARDS
    BRUCE
     
  10. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

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    I agree and I did find a contact for Bosch New Zealand but they would absolutely offer no assistance saying this item was built exclusively for Ferrari (which I doubt) and that only Ferrari could give info!

    Bruce has the magic batteries. So rely on him.

    You'll get a "charge" out of dealing with him.

    Sadak was very generous to send to me the batteries he did not need which came from Bruce.

    They were dead-on winners.
     
  11. BWS550

    BWS550 Wants to be a mod

    Apr 1, 2002
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    BRUCE WELLINGTON
    RESULTS FOR J SALMON..

    A NEW CUSTOM MADE BATTERY FOR $40.00

    YOU SHOULD HAVE IT EARLY NEXT WEEK


    GREG-J

    HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY


    THE BEST,
    BRUCE
     
  12. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    So Bruce, do you have the equipment to make custom battery packs? Machines to solder the tabs and shrink wrap them?
     
  13. BWS550

    BWS550 Wants to be a mod

    Apr 1, 2002
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    YES DAVE, I HAVE AN ASSEMBLER TO DO IT

    NO, ITS NOT A DURACELL PRODUCT :):)

    BRUCE
     
  14. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    Hey, that was 19 years ago I was with Duracell...I'm over it! ;)
     
  15. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
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    BTW, thanks Bruce! I'll let you know when it gets here. Happy Holidays!
     
  16. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

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    I guess, therefore, it is appropriate to ask Bruce what he will "charge" for a custom made battery!!!

    I told you he's the man! No "bun" (as in bunny) intended.
     
  17. BWS550

    BWS550 Wants to be a mod

    Apr 1, 2002
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    J,

    ILL HAVE THE BATTERY TUES IN THE OFFICE AND SHOOT IT OUT TO YOU FOR WEDS HOPEFULLY DELIVERY

    IT IS A LITTLE SHORTER THAN YOUR ORIGINAL, AS YOURS WAS OLDER AND NOW THEY USED EVEN HIGHER MAH BATTERIES, THEY HAD TO TAKE OFF YOUR SCHRINK WRAP TO SEE THE CELLS...NO WORRIES

    DAVE,
    AS OFF DEC 1, ENERGIZER WILL NOT TAKE ON NEW DISTRIBUTORS EXCEPT LOEWS, HOME DEPOT, WALMART....GOD BLESS THE CORPERATE WORLD.


    GREG,

    THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS, I HATE WHEN PEOPLE RIP OTHERS OFF



    ALL HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY,

    BRUCE
     
  18. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
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    My alarm would not be functioning w/o great cost if it were not for Bruce's help and batteries.

    Kind words are, therefore, definitely in order.

    Happy electrons to all!!
     

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