Cali T won't start... assuming battery?

I have a '16 Cali T with 8300 miles. I've had it 18 months and put on 5000 miles. It's always on OEM Ferrari battery tender. It's been essentially glitch-free, but this weekend it would not start after about a week of sitting (on the tender). Starts to turn over, then immediately stops and flashes "Low Fuel Level" while simultaneously showing 2/3 full tank and saying "range 244 miles". After some experimenting, I realized if I put it back on the tender, it will start after 2-3 tries. Runs fine once started.

So, almost 4 years old, and I don't know how it was treated the first two years. Based on what I've read on the Forum, I'm assuming probably needs a new battery, and this glitch will go away. Does anyone think differently?

IF NEW BATTERY NEEDED, can anyone point me to instructions for battery replacement? I have basic mechanical skills, but once I looked at the battery set-up under the hood, I realized this is not just disconnecting two battery terminals and swapping in a new battery. Nearest official Ferrari service to me is 125 miles away, so I'm willing to try it myself if I have good instructions.

And another question with many potential answers - what is recommended make of battery to use? It has an Odyssey now, but I see Interstate and others recommended on the Forum. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bob

 

Thanks for the feedback. I will check out the Braille...

 

My car does not have HELE, but in any case, both the Interstate and Braille I am considering are AGM... Thanks.

 

Richard, we can take this offline if you want any specific advice on replacing the battery. I was successful, but it was a real PITA to do it by myself. I learned a lot along the way. I'm at: [email protected]

Bob

 

OK, I'll give it a try, with these caveats: this is just from my experience on my Cali T (no HELE). Your set-up may vary. It was relatively straightforward once I learned the correct sequence of steps. Wasn't planning on a write-up, so this is from memory and I only took a few pics. Here goes:

Make sure battery tender is disconnected.

Make sure all power sources are off - radio, a/c, fan, auto-headlights, etc.

Make sure windows are down at least 1".

Deactivate the electronic alarm - press "unlock" button on ignition key.

Remove black plastic central cosmetic shield.

Release the gray locking lever to loosen the clamp from the NEGATIVE terminal.

Separate the clamp from the battery to disconnect the battery. Place the clamp so that it does not come into contact with the battery pole or other metal parts of the vehicle.

Remove black wire from clamp assembly. (It connects to the box sitting on the tiedown strap).

Remove black plastic cover from assembly above the POSITIVE terminal.

Remove red wire from clamp assembly. (It connects to the box sitting on the tiedown strap).

Unscrew the two screws on the red plastic tab holding down the clamp assembly.

Loosen nut on POSITIVE terminal clamp and move entire assembly out of the way. Place the clamp so that it does not come into contact with the battery pole or other metal parts of the vehicle.

Remove central bracket assembly that tiedown strap is attached to (just in front of motor).

Move bracket assembly/tiedown strap out of battery path, towards front of car.

*** You'll have to work the assemblies around a little, to clear a path for the battery to be removed.

*** How you remove it is up to you. A portable winch or similar would be best, but I can attest that it can be done manually, by yourself, if there's no other option.

*** I could not get the new battery into the 'insulation cover' while it was in place in the engine bay - just too difficult by myself. So I took the insulation 'box' out and fitted it onto the new battery first, then installed the whole thing in the bay. Had to make one cut in the insulation cover, so the tiedown strap would fit up against the battery again.

Once new battery in place, reinstall POSITIVE clamp assembly. Before tightening nut on terminal, replace the two small screws in the red plastic tab so the assembly is tight to the battery.

Tighten nut on POSITIVE terminal, reconnect red wire to clamp assembly and replace black cover.

Reinstall NEGATIVE clamp assembly, and lock down with gray locking lever.

Reconnect black wire to clamp assembly.

Make sure battery is fitted tight up against the bay wall, then bring the bracket assembly back up over the battery and attach bracket to wall. Make sure the strap is up against the battery and the sliding clamp is in place near the front lip of the battery. It may take a little manipulation to make it all fit.

Replace black plastic central cosmetic shield.


FROM THE OWNERS MANUAL:

Each time the battery is reconnected, do the following before starting the engine:

- close both doors and close the luggage compartment lid; unlock and lock the doors using the remote control; open the luggage compartment lid using the remote control;

- adjust the clock (date and time on instrument panel);

- close both doors and fully raise the driver side and passenger side windows to their upper limit; check that the windows move down to the “target position” when the doors are opened.


Warning!!!

WAIT at least 1 minute before inserting the key in the ignition switch.

Before starting the engine, wait at least 60 seconds with the ignition key in position II to allow the electronic system that controls the motor-driven valves and the AC ECU to run a self-acquisition process.

During this period, no devices must be activated.



That should do it.

Bob







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Thanks Richard. I had a couple people contact me and ask for a write-up, so it made sense to do. Early on, I was surprised no one on F-chat had documented the battery replacement or had any advice. As I told you separately, I got a lot of advice and support from Damian, the Service Director at Calabasas Luxury Motorcars. He's a great guy to work with.

I'm up the road from you, about 3 hours, on the Central Coast. Grew up in OC, rarely down in LA area anymore. Looking forward to hearing about your experience once your Braille comes in.

 

Great news Richard! Glad it all worked out for you.