348 can't start after 2 weeks

hey everyone, 348 can't start after 2 weeks sitting in the garage, need some assistance here. when I start the car, it makes a click click click noise, seem that I have enough power, the power windows work.. first I used a wall plug-in power charger at 2amp-10amps(overnight charging), the power charger's display then showed FULL CHARGE. the second attempt I connect the battery to another running car, the same thing happen, it just goes click click click, not sure why this happens, the last few times I start the car, there was no problems starting, it starts right away with no hesistation, now it just goes CLICK. the car is in california, so its not too cold in the garage, not sure if I should replace the battery or could it be the starter, or loose cable?? any help will be great...thanks!

 

The click, click, click sound normally means that the battery needs to be replaced. It doesn't have enough juice to crank up the motor.

 

+1

Battery probably can't hold a charge anymore.

 

when I jump start the car , it still didn't work, I used an extra long jumper cable, I combine two cables, because it wasn't long enough, could that extra distance, reduce the amps on the cables? thanks

 

good to know that.... but the charger says " FULL CHARGE", could the charger be inaccurate?, its new I got it at wal-mart...

 

DO NOT jump start the car! I know you already did, but don't try that again. That is the fastest way to fry an ecu.

Okay first, could you fill out your profile please?

Second what year is your car? If it is an early model 348 check the bullet connectors. There is one under the air box, going to the starter from the battery. The other one is on the negative cable coming off the battery going to the ground on the frame. Check to make sure those are clean and connected properly. That is if you have them.

 

its a 1990 348TS, here's some background, I know the battery always discharge, so I disconnect the battery everytime I store for more than 1 week.. I've been doing this for the past 4 months... if it discharges I just jump start or recently I use the battery charge... this time i'm screwed, because this time I haven't start it for 2 weeks ... what is the "bullet connectors" I assume that's the connector that I disconnect everytime I don't use the car(its near the battery). I'll take a look at the one under the air box..

I'm charging the battery now, should I continue? will it harm the ecu? thanks

 

quick question, how much amps should the 348 be draining when the car is off? I have a multi meter, I can get a reading, thanks

 

Just go buy a new battery tomorrow (or today). Per above, yours is dead. Mine did the same thing...click click. Replaced battert...then Vroom Vroom.

Remember to let her sit for 15 minutes at idle after starting up after turning the battery off or replacing it. Do not remember what this does - I think it lets the mixture retune itself to current conditions.

 

A battery with a good charge should be at least 12.5 amps.

Since your car is a '90 definitely look at the bullet connectors. They looks like this. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=136065730&postcount=11

 

It lets the Motronic ecu's relearn the warm up parameters.

 

In future, leave the battery on the tender when the car is going to be left idle.

This saves the hassle in disconnecting it and letting the ECUs re-learn the air/fuel maps upon re-connecting and start up.

 

yes that's the connector I have, I alway disconnect it after shutting down the car, I've been diconnecting that quite a number of time. do you think that might be the cause? thanks

 

You're right!, i must have disconnect the battery so many times that I screwed up the ECU's procedues.. from now on I'll plug the charger in when its not in use.. thanks for the assistance..

 

If you connected that battery to another car and it did not start it's obvious that you have a bad battery. Most battery chargers do not give accurate feedback as to the state of charge. When we test them in the shop we put a large draw on them (200-300Amps) and watch to see that the voltage does not drop below 10V. With out it you can measure it with your multimeter. After you charge it let it sit for a day and measure it. Do not overcharge as it will kill a battery. Use a 1-2A charge setting for 24 hours. 10-40Amp settings is for quick charge and starting(Don't do it with this car as Ernie said), and for that matter you should disconect both terminal while charging. A good lead acid battery should sit between 12.6-12.8 Volts. If It's down around 12-12.2V its lifetime is short. Parasitic draws should be less than a milliamp. It's common to measure it and find that you have 0.5-1 amp from a light/alarm system/audio. Pull fuses one at a time until it goes away, and then trace that circuit. Ernies right about bullet conectors, and conectors in general, but you said you tried it in another car with a no go!

 

I sure do.

Get rid of the stupid thing altogether, put in a solid cable. You can get one made cheap, about $10. When I made mine I put a marine style quick disconnect on the negative terminal. Be sure to change both the +/- cables out.

 

Hey Mark, hows the rebuild coming along?

 

Alright, I think the cause of the problem has been located.

1) I overcharged the battery
2) Battery got fried.

I'll install a new battery now. thanks everyone

Any particular battery I should get?

 

It's going great! I'll start a thread soon. Valves are out and I am measuring everything. Guides appear to be in good shape. I hope to start reassembly soon.

 

If you feel like paying more for quality/lifetime then get an Optima.

 

thanks for the recommendation, is there a place when I can get an Optima battery for the 348 online? thanks

 

I have a light weight Odyssey battery in my car. Only weighs 15.5 lbs.

 

Coolness, I'll be looking for it.

 

Hey if in So Cal. The stooges will come get your car running but you'll owe three of us lunch.

 

Oh yeah, I'm game for a "free" lunch. But I think he's got this one handled.