89' 348 Alternator or Battery Test?

The alternator isn't hard to remove. You can have it out in around 30 minutes. Once you remove it you can take it to any alternator shop and have them test it. I have even seen an alternator tester at an Auto Zone parts store. The alternator in the early 348's like yours is made by AC Delco and can be rebuilt rather inexpensively, either by yourself or any good alternator shop. You will also want to attach an extra ground strap to the alternator. You can check to see if it is charging correctly while still in the car. Using a volt meter, and testing it at the battery terminals, while the engine is at around 3500 rpm, you should get a reading of 13.5 - 14.5v.

Have a look at the bullet connector in the rear of your car, running from the battery to the starter. Those have been know to have a bad connection problems causing the car not to start, or the battery not to charge. Replacing that with a solid cable should take care of an connection problems. Also make sure that the connections on the batter terminals are on properly. You don't want those to be loose either.

 

Ernie, would you consider the alternator issue among the things that a new owner should do post-purchase for a 348?

What else would go in your post-purchase prep list?

For instance: http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html#postprep