Code Blue, Code Blue ...somebody EMP'd my car!

Well after nearly four months of trouble free driving, last night my 98 Spider threw a major hissy fit.

Driving along, as usual, first the AirBag light comes on. Im thinking, hmmm, that may be expensive, but when I stop and restart the car maybe it will go out. When I need to three point turn, I am engaging reverse, and then she just conks out, all the lights come on and the car just dies...luckily on a quiet road on the quiet side of Hong Kong - and luckily at the top of a hill.

So I try and restart but clearly the issue is electronic - either the battery and/or the alternator have died. So I put her in neutral, start rolling, and pop he into first and bang, she lights up - BINGO! But as I couldnt keep the revs up (with the F1 box) she spluttered to death again, and I was now down the hill and couldnt do another rolling start. I tried the ignition and ... nothing.

So sadly, I met the tow truck driver this morning to see her towed off to InterAuto - a local F-car specialist.

I suspect it is the alternator, I hope it is just the battery, but could it be anything else? Does the scenario sound familar to any of you guys?

 

Mtrain,

I had a similar situation occur in my 95. The lights on then dying is the familiar part to me. In my situation it was the alternator that was being cooked by an aftermarket exhaust that was heating up too close to it. Once the exhaust was taken out and the alt. replaced, she was good to go again. Bottom line is that it sounds like the alternator is the problem in your case.

 

thanks for the feedback DaParma

what was the damage ($) for the new alternator?

 

Do a thread search, you can source the parts for an alternator rebuild for less than $100. Replacement alternators are very expensive, over $1200!

 

Yes the boys above are more than likely right....alternator. Check the wiring plug at the alternator....Those wires can burn out for some reason and kill the car just as yours did with the dash lights all coming on ect ect.

 

These threads will give you the information you need to rebuilt the alternator yourself.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142329
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124504