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Battery ground switch

Discussion in '348/355' started by drbob101, Apr 8, 2013.

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  1. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 26, 2012
    3,821
    Tinton Falls, NJ
    Full Name:
    Bob Ferraris
    #1 drbob101, Apr 8, 2013
    In installing a new stereo in my car yesterday I noticed that the kill switch was not working, completely. I first noticed that the door lights were still on and that the radio didnt turn off , but t hen the car wouldn't start either, even with the immobilizer correctly programmed.

    Are these things in a 97 prone to failure and are they sometimes intermittent or not completely shot like this? I was blaming it on the PO stereo installer maybe having mucked up the wiring but now I'm not so sure in reading threads on other models.

    I have to get in the battery compartment and look around and see if anything appears obviously miswired but the switch itself seems intact with both cables attached.
     
  2. mike_747

    mike_747 Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2008
    794
    Seattle
    #2 mike_747, Apr 8, 2013
    Just thinking out loud. As I don't touch things electrical (like the shut off switch) not wanting to incur any strange behavior, I'm wondering if the shut off switch only disables the engine, but leaves other system functioning as you described. Maybe nothing is wrong at all.
    I'd call a Ferrari dealer and ask the service manager.
     
  3. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,703
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #3 greyboxer, Apr 8, 2013
    Some shut-off switches have a parallel wire with a tiny fuse to enable light/stereo type circuits to remain active - I'm not aware of this being standard on a Ferrari but PO may have....
     
  4. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 26, 2012
    3,821
    Tinton Falls, NJ
    Full Name:
    Bob Ferraris
    #4 drbob101, Apr 8, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Figured it out. The PO stereo installer put the ground for the amp on the neg battery terminal and it was back feeding ground to the car even though the switch was in the off position. The switch ohm'd out fine.

    Relocated the amp ground to the switched side of the switch and now everything shuts off as it should. The way the ground cable is wired from the battery, the switch completely isolates the car from the battery. Nothing should stay on.

    Watch if you are having after market stereos installed that the installer is aware of the battery switch and not to go directlyto the battery for ground.
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