308 GT4 Starter wire mystery | FerrariChat
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308 GT4 Starter wire mystery

Discussion in '308/328' started by HDTOGT, Aug 14, 2022.

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  1. HDTOGT

    HDTOGT Rookie

    Aug 23, 2021
    9
    #1 HDTOGT, Aug 14, 2022
    While working under the vehicle, I noticed a yellow green striped wire with a spade connector that was wrapped around the white + ignition wire to the starter relay, but was otherwise disconnected. It would appear that the wire is intended to go to the second spade terminal on the starter solenoid, which is open. The car starts fine and had no electrical issues. What is this wire for and would someone intentionally disconnect it for some reason?



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  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,826
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Aug 14, 2022
    Weird, the only GV (yellow-green) wire on the 308GT4 schematics in that area is for the alternator (and the alternator warning light function). Does your alternator warning light work correctly ("on" with key "on" and the engine not running, and "off" with engine running)? Do you have an obviously "not stock Ferrari" alternator?
     
  3. HDTOGT

    HDTOGT Rookie

    Aug 23, 2021
    9
    #3 HDTOGT, Aug 14, 2022
    That’s it! I now found that the alternator wire heading to the starter has a disconnected male spade up underneath out of sight.


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  4. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,826
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    #4 Steve Magnusson, Aug 14, 2022
    So are you saying that your alternator warning light was not working and now it is? IIRC, the 308 alternator needs that GV wire connected to energize the alternator field coils (i.e., if the alternator warning light bulb filament burns out = alternator doesn't charge). Had you been driving/using the car extensively with that GV wire disconnected?
     
  5. HDTOGT

    HDTOGT Rookie

    Aug 23, 2021
    9
    #5 HDTOGT, Aug 14, 2022
    Well long story but no it has been parked for several months with the fuel drained. I had to replace the hoses on the lower fuel transfer tube that goes between the tanks but didn’t get to this until now. That’s when I noticed the wire. I forgot that while I was under there earlier this year I tightened up a loose heat shield on the starter (euro). I must have disconnected it during that time reaching up there.


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  6. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,826
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #6 Steve Magnusson, Aug 14, 2022
    OK, that makes sense -- otherwise, your battery would've eventually gone flat if the car was used for any length of time.
     
  7. Nino1964

    Nino1964 Formula Junior
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    Aug 14, 2015
    302
    North Georgia
    #7 Nino1964, Jun 29, 2024

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