360 F1, my Battery is constantly dying

My car had a similar issue (would die in 2-3 days) when I was in the process of purchasing it. As part of the purchase agreement, seller sent it to a dealer to find the source of the problem. Cost $760.00 to the dealer to find the loose wire, but the car has been trouble-free in that regard ever since. In my case it was the window initial-drop microswitch, but in general it really could be anything that is loose or out of adjustment. Given the expense, if I had to pay for this myself I probably would have opted for the trickle charger solution instead.


Lou

 

my car is always hooked up to a Battery Tender. Never have a problem; battery is always fresh and even extends the life of the battery. also, I never use the "off" switch.

 

I've never had a problem with my battery dying...even when I go on vacation for 2 weeks. I don't use the off switch or put it on a charger. Something definitely doesn't sound right that you have the problem that you have.

 

Hello Frances.

 

It happends to all the 360s that come into my shop, drives me nuts. I started to just turn off the battary as soon as teh car comes in. I highly suggest buying a trickle charger.

 

The alarm system and the radio memory circuits use a bit of current.

$60.00 for an Interstate battery tender will cure the problem.

 

My (non-F1) 360 would sit for as long as 3 weeks and start right up with no trickle charger and battery circuit left in the on position.

Gary

 

My Car batt dies within 10 days. I bought a batt charger, but haven't installed it yet. The car is scheduled to go to the dealer to be diagnosed to make sure there's not any loose wires or shorts. Batt charger is nice, but if there's something wrong, I want it fixed!!

 

Same experience here. I have a battery tender, but never use it.

 

I typically let my car sit for up to a week (non-F1) and it fires right up every time.

 

I've gone 4 weeks un-used and starts up fine on my 04 CS. I do have a battery tender, only used it once to see if it works.

 

i had to replace the stock battery after a year, but other than that never had an issue at startup.

 

01 360 F1 Spider. 3 weeks no problem. Starts right up. I do have a battery tender, but have never used it.

 

You did not say what year your car is, but it's possible you have exceeded the battery's life.

Mine is a 2000 with 4,600 miles, would not hold charge, and I finally purchased and installed an interstate MTP-91.

Wow, what a difference.

I keep it on the charger, however. I need to do this for my CL500 as well this weekend. Have to add a plug to that battery so I can use the charger on it as well but not simultaneously.

 

I have a 2004 360 F-1. When I first got it I learned battery would go dead after three weeks in the garage without driving. Got myself a trickle charger and that was the end of that problem.

 

Solved all my problems in winter

 

it means u need to drive ur car more

 

The dead battery issue is annoying, especially if you're like me working at the dealer. The cars draw about a .25amp just sitting from what I have been told, and each time you open the door, the F1 pump primes(Assuming you have an F1) and the window goes up and down, so that is in addition to the .25amp.

If you have weak/old battery to begin with it won't be long until the battery is too low to start the car. Moving the electic seats or putting the top up and down on a Spider with draw a lot more power still.

Using a Battery Tender trickly charger and installing a high quality battery, like a Insterstate, DieHard or Optima will resolve any issues you have.

 

Go to www.batterytender.com and get yourself a trickle charger.
I have a bunch of the smaller junior chargers for $40. They take up no space and keep your batteries fresh. It's the best money you'll ever spend.

 

"If you have weak/old battery to begin with it won't be long until the battery is too low to start the car. Moving the electic seats or putting the top up and down on a Spider with draw a lot more power still.

Using a Battery Tender trickly charger and installing a high quality battery, like a Insterstate, DieHard or Optima will resolve any issues you have."

Very well stated, and it is exactly what happened to me.

I today put the cable on my CL500 battery, moved the charger from the 360 to the CL500, and that little light has been glowing red for some time. That battery is sucking up the juice. I drive that car maybe once a month. So, that battery needs a trickle charger.

Now I have one charger for two cars that I can easily swap.

What's interesting is that the battery for the CL500 is physically about 2X's the size of that for the 360, and there is no alarm draw.

So, maybe the Ferrari OEM batteries are just too small in capacity for the electrical systems. Thus, a trickle charger is necessary.

 

Here's the update on the trickle charge on my CL500.

I put the Interstate trickle charger charger on yesterday around 1:00 PM Pacific time. It's now 11:10 AM Sunday. That's 22 hours later and the battery is still charging! It's flashing green with red which means it's getting close to full charge.

So, the point is that if you don't drive your vehicle much you are losing long term battery power if you fail to keep the battery trickled.

Get a trickle charger and keep those batteries charged.

It's worth it.

 

I totally agree!

Over 5 year with my 360 and have never encountered a battery problem.

 

24 hours and it's still charging!

That battery needed a charge!

Hip Hip Hooray for trickle chargers!