Battery Switch(I found mine) | FerrariChat
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Battery Switch(I found mine)

Discussion in '348/355' started by tr0768, Feb 1, 2013.

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  1. tr0768

    tr0768 Formula Junior

    Oct 28, 2008
    736
    Lake Stevens Washington
    Full Name:
    Howard Musolf
    #1 tr0768, Feb 1, 2013
    The weather was co-operating and I wanted to blow a bit of dust off the 348 spyder. Damn, dead battery. Put the spyder up on the hoist and remove the left front wheel. Then the 6 screws to remove the battery bay cover. Removed the battery easy enough, then I decided to follow the routing of the battery cables.

    First I followed the positive cable from the battery to the starter, all checked out there good. Then I followed the negative cable from the battery up under the fuse bay on the left front fender. Got to poking around and low and behold I found a factory installed battery disconnect switch. This switch is in the fuse bay on the inner wall closest to the trunk area. You can reach down across the fuses and relays and find the round black switch. It twists about a 1/4 of a turn for on and off. There is an arrow and lettering with "off and on". Had I known where this switch was I would not have had to replace my battery.

    After a easy battery replacement, I lit it off and took a nice sunny ride to lunch. All in all about 20 miles with a lunch stop and back on the barn until more better weather. By the way in that same fuse bay I found a plug on the end of a cord. I followed the cord and it leads to the battery maintainer. I checked the wiring and with the battery switch in the off position, the maintainer is off line and would not be charging the battery.

    Howard Musolf
    1981 308gtsi
    1982 400i Cabriolet
    1994 348 spyder
     
  2. vegas1

    vegas1 F1 Rookie

    Jul 28, 2004
    4,202
    Australia
    #2 vegas1, Feb 2, 2013
    Thanks for the advice - very informative.

    Are you able to provide a pic of the battery cut-off switch when you get a chance (or anyone else from the Brotherhood if they already have a pic).
     
  3. tr0768

    tr0768 Formula Junior

    Oct 28, 2008
    736
    Lake Stevens Washington
    Full Name:
    Howard Musolf
    #3 tr0768, Feb 3, 2013
    I will try and post a photo in the next few days.

    Howard Musolf
    1981 308gtsi
    1982 400i cabriolet
    1994 348 spyder
     
  4. I_am_Grant

    I_am_Grant Karting

    Feb 8, 2011
    53
    Woodland, CA
    Full Name:
    Grant
    #4 I_am_Grant, Feb 3, 2013
    Do earlier models have battery cut-off switches? Mines a 1991 tb with the battery in the rear, and I haven't seen a cut-off switch on mine.

    Just curious.
     
  5. Reddesire

    Reddesire Formula Junior

    May 7, 2008
    388
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew Gaal
    #5 Reddesire, Feb 3, 2013
    Interesting.. If its factory fitted it should be listed in the service manual shouldn't it.. I must have a look tonight !
     
  6. Reddesire

    Reddesire Formula Junior

    May 7, 2008
    388
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew Gaal
    #6 Reddesire, Apr 8, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yes earlier cars did have them fitted. The pc is of my 1992 RHD ts and it can be clealry seen. It is also listed in the owners 'Technical Manual on page 'L5'
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  7. I_am_Grant

    I_am_Grant Karting

    Feb 8, 2011
    53
    Woodland, CA
    Full Name:
    Grant
    #7 I_am_Grant, Apr 8, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  8. Reddesire

    Reddesire Formula Junior

    May 7, 2008
    388
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew Gaal
    #8 Reddesire, Apr 8, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Fascinating............What does your owner's manual say. Any reference to one at all ? Mine has it listed on page L5, even with a picture!!!??

    Track your earth wire back. I'm sure you would have one as well unless it was something introduced with the front mounted battery change !?
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  9. Nosevi

    Nosevi Formula 3

    Jul 8, 2011
    1,990
    Lincoln
    Full Name:
    Pete
    #9 Nosevi, Apr 9, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Is this any good to the rear battery guys? Think that's the front battery setup vs the rear. Nothing's really jumping out at me saying "cut off switch" on the rear battery setup.......
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  10. Reddesire

    Reddesire Formula Junior

    May 7, 2008
    388
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew Gaal
    #10 Reddesire, Apr 9, 2013
    Well this looks like it confirms my suspicions. The switch was an additional modification added when the battery was relocated to the front.

    Can always add one I guess. See if you can pick up a switch from Ricambi (its ready made for the job) or some other supplier and install it yourself in a convenient location.
     
  11. Dohangs

    Dohangs F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2008
    3,121
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Spiro
    #11 Dohangs, Apr 9, 2013
    Thanks for the info. I'm going to check and see if I can find the switch. I had trouble with my battery and people always tell me to turn the switch. I just didn't know where it was. I had to buy a new battery last month.
     
  12. Nosevi

    Nosevi Formula 3

    Jul 8, 2011
    1,990
    Lincoln
    Full Name:
    Pete
    #12 Nosevi, Apr 10, 2013
    Just one point all, rather than turing the switch you're possibly better off just wiring up to a battery conditioner / smart charger. I've got the front switch next to the front fuse box but only really throw it if I want to do an ECU relearn *, it's alledgedly better for a battery to keep it plugged in to a battery conditioner like a Ctek charger - ( CTEK Multi MXS 7.0 Car Battery Charger - the smartest battery chargers in the world! ) than it is even to just leave it off. The Ctek come with a small length of wire with a small socket that you can wire into your car (direct to the battery or in the rear engine compartment to the terminals directly under the words "Front Battery" if that's more convenient for you). Then when you come home you just plug her in by conecting the charger to the socket that's already in your car and your battery is kept it tip top condition, takes seconds. My Carcoon has a Ctek charger built in but when she's not in there I plug her into another Ctek instead.

    * NB I'm guessing most know this but if you do go down the route of just throwing the battery switch each time you leave your car parked for a period, you'll have to do an ECU relearn every time you start your car. If you don't know what this is ask or search on here as not doing it will mean that your motor isn't running at optimum, takes 10 - 15 mins.

    Nos
     
  13. Reddesire

    Reddesire Formula Junior

    May 7, 2008
    388
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew Gaal
    #13 Reddesire, Apr 10, 2013
    Spot on....... Although I know of the switch I never have used it (until testing it the other day much to the disgust of my car alarm which went off as a result !!).

    I have been using a battery conditioner for the last 4 yrs since I bought the car and it still starts first time everytime with a quick couple of turns. Can let the car for 2-3 weeks (thats about as long as I can stand it before I have to go for a drive) and it still starts as if the battery is brand new.... Definately the way to go !!
     

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