Anyone Install a battery cutoff?

I had my mechanic do it on my 308. Its on the left side where the switch is beside the spare in the fornt. Cant really tell you whats involved, but for sure the best $80 ive spent.

 

It's not really a cut off switch. However, I have found there is a "kill plug". Near the battery there is a "red plug". By unplugging that... this "kills" everything to car. (not sure if this is a "stock item" or not. However, I think it is "stock". Another 328 owner told me about it.

 

I confirmed this. This red cut off button is original in the 328. I used it to disconnect the battery. check the owner manual of the 328 : it is explained on page 89 (first page of electrical chapter).

 

Read this several times thinking I was missing something and still a bit confused that I'm not understanding. Color me 'huh?'.

Every 3x8 I've seen has a battery disconnect which removes the battery ground cable connection. Accessible just below the hood strut mount, next to the headlight bucket motor, red connector. Must your cutoff switch be rotary rather than linear? (push on-pull off) It does require opening the hood (bonnet?) but not removing the spare tire. Only downside is loosing your radio presets. After a few times, you don't need to look...finger memory takes over.

 

This is a Picture of my Cut Off Switch in my 77 GTB. Is was there when I bought it. It rotates to turn off and on. Located next to my spare tire and front radiator hose. Hope this helps.
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Strange but my 77 doesn't have this and the OM does not say anything about it. Is this in the 77 OM and if so what page. Also does it cutoff the neg. side of the bat. It looks like a standard racing cutoff switch that was added after. With all of the comments I see on this site of bat. discharge over time I would think that some folks would put in a switch when they shut down for the winter. Would be interesting to see how many people have these on their 308's or 328.

 

Thanks Paul. This is what I was trying to describe.

 

your car doesnt have it becuase they never added this to the cars until i think the 348 series. I had my mechanic add one just like i have on my tr. Its a flip up and down switch like he mentioned beside the spare and front rad hose. I use mine all the time after every drive every other week. It really helps in the life of the battery. My tr is on its 9th with the same battery. Im hoping i can do the same and longer in the 308.

 

OK thanks. So I assume you have some high rest. short somewhere that kills your bat. I replaced my bat. in 2007 and leve it connected all year without and issues. Don't drive to much in the winter but it still holds a charge. Enjoy the ride

 

My 78 308 GTS had a battery cut off switch installed by the previous owner. It was very cleanly done, and mounted through the left front edge of the fiberglass spare tire well. I wish I had a picture of it...but looked very profesional, almost stock, the previous owner had it installed by a race shop. The switch I had never seen before, it was all metal, rather than plastic, like the Hella ones. Next to that, they also installed one of those charging plugs like this one: http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecId=1336

 

My 1976 fiberglass GTB has a cut off switch installed in the spare tire well on the passenger side. It has a round black plastic knob which must be depressed in order to turn. Records show that it was installed by Algar 3 years after its puchase by the original owner. Neatly done and hidden.

 

Has one or doesnt have one? It looks like everyone is saying the 348 has one but the earlier cars dont? I am not at home right now or I would run to the garage to check...

Does the 328 have this linear kill switch? Can anyone take a picture of this elusive kill switch?

Thanks guys...I learn something new every day about my car here!

 

Yes, it's stock on a 328. I use it all the time. Look behind the driver's side headlight bucket, it's a red connector that simply pulls open. It's on the ground side of the circuit. See #25 and 26 on the image below.

edit: looks like all parts for it are available at eurospares, so one should be able to retrofit this to a 308
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My 87 328 has a battery knive type connection that is easy to disconnect. It is located on the driver's side, just in front of the spare tire. It is slightly down and under the tire area so you may need to look a bit for it. It is red and probably dirty so may blend in well with the other stuff down there.

I disconnect it when working on the car or for long storage times. However, in the winter, I start the car once a week and let it run untill the radiator fans come on. So far, I have not seen a problem with the battery.

 

Here's a serious cutoff install -- probably not one you'd emulate, but worth looking at:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79850

 

This disconnects the ground, thus effectively killing all power in the car. It is stock from QVs on, not in the earlier models. It is in the triangular hole between the fender, tub and radiator on the driver's side. Not as convenient as a true switch, but it is stock and does the job.

 

Thanks Tillman,

I am going to be working this weekend on cleaning up some wiring from an old alarm system that the PO had installed. This will most definately come in handy.

You guys are a WEALTH of information!!

 

Mine has a knob on the battery terminal, just unscrew it a couple of turns and thats it. I'm sure it was installed by one of the previous owners. You'd never notice it unless you really were looking for it.

 

308's also has this quick disconnect as well.
Item# 25 & 26 (braided end)
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Reviving an old thread - I'm thinking I need one of these as the GT4's 3 week old battery died after sitting week and a half. Bambina left me on the side of the road last night after a large backfire while trying to limp two blocks home. AAA wouldn't pick me up saying there were no working flatbeds until 9am, 11 hours later. I had to private tow $150 for 1/4 mile - I got her home safe and can't wait to have a field day with AAA.

If you do have a batter cutoff switch do you still need to keep the battery on a tender/charger? Is it ok to cutoff, charge for a day and then disconnect?

Thank you!

 

I have a battery switch on two of my vehicles. One is a 328GTS and have found that batteries tend to last longer (purely anecdotal) when they are not constantly discharging to a slight extent. The battery in my 328 is nearly 10 years old. The car sat for 3 months last fall while I did some engine work (I know, I'm slow) but started right up when the time came without having to charge it. Battery in my other switched car is very old too, maybe 8 years.