Dumb Question - Birdman's Fusebox switch | FerrariChat
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Dumb Question - Birdman's Fusebox switch

Discussion in '308/328' started by fchip, May 31, 2010.

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  1. fchip

    fchip Formula Junior

    Jul 15, 2007
    428
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Chip G
    #1 fchip, May 31, 2010
    Do I need to disconect the battery before I remove the old fusebox and put in Birdman's cool replacement?
     
  2. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    2,934
    Outside Detroit
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    Don the 16th
    #2 don_xvi, May 31, 2010
    Yes.
    Otherwise, when you've got those "always hot" wires disconnected, they'll be arcing off of everything in sight and burn your Ferrari down while you try to improve it.

    Not a dumb question, an important one!
     
  3. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #3 Steve King, May 31, 2010
    No it is not necessary but highly recommended. The problem is it is possible to accidentally touch a hot wire while doing the transfer. If you are careful and take your time you can do it without disconnecting the battery. Good luck.
     
  4. fchip

    fchip Formula Junior

    Jul 15, 2007
    428
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Chip G
    #4 fchip, May 31, 2010
    I will disconnect and get on with it. Thanks.
     
  5. pdf308

    pdf308 Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2009
    278
    Chicago
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    Paul
    #5 pdf308, May 31, 2010
    How long does it take and how hard is it to do for a novice wrench like me?
     
  6. fchip

    fchip Formula Junior

    Jul 15, 2007
    428
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Chip G
    #6 fchip, May 31, 2010
    Took me an hour, and it was easy. I am sure it has made all of my electrics more reliable. What I did notice was that my windows went up/down faster than before. Do it; it is simple.
     
  7. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
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    THE Birdman
    #7 Birdman, Jun 2, 2010
    Easy!

    Thanks Chip!

    Sorry I didn't see this thread until today. What Steve said is right. You don't really NEED to disconnect the battery. I have done the swap so many times, I don't give it much thought. But if you have never done it before, you should probably pull one of the leads off the battery.

    Birdman
     
  8. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
    6,081
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    Mike Charness
    #8 Mike C, Jun 3, 2010
    I got one of Jonathan's first ones, and it was an easy screwdriver activity taking less than an hour. I suggest a digital picture before you start so you know which wires go where.. that's the only tricky part... being careful to put them where they belong. I suggest you just do it a little bit at a time as you go along.
     
  9. DesertDawg

    DesertDawg Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 25, 2010
    93,532
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    DesertDawg
    #9 DesertDawg, Jun 3, 2010
    You've already gotten the right responses, but I just thought I'd add - just as an FYI: It's always a good idea to disconnect the battery whenever you're doing anything even remotely related to any given vehicle's electrical system... that is, of course, unless you happen to need the battery to remain connected in order to trace down some kind of voltage or continuity problems, etc.

    With more modern cars, this rule of thumb especially applies, since so many systems have electronic or computer-controlled functions.
     
  10. spiderseeker

    spiderseeker Formula 3

    Jul 22, 2005
    1,718
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #10 spiderseeker, Jun 4, 2010
    Yes, for a first timer- Always disconnect the battery, take several digital pictures(close-up) and or video before you start. Then just swap the wires one at a time. 30-60 minutes later your electrical system will be 99% bulletproof.
    It should be a mandatory upgrade to all 308's. Your car will thank you with reliability.
     

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