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HELP 348 Battery

Discussion in '348/355' started by CTM, Mar 18, 2005.

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  1. CTM

    CTM Karting

    Aug 5, 2004
    194
    New York, Catskills
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #1 CTM, Mar 18, 2005
    I had the car running ~ 4 weeks ago. The battery did need a quick charge from a battery charger to get running. Yes, I must confess that I did not hook up a battery tender and did not even realize one was already installed in the car when I bought it (tucked up in rear wheel well, never saw it). Well I went to start it yesterday and I got nothing. I put it on a battery charger for a few hours and nothing. I then hooked jumper cables up for 30 minutes and still noting. I then plugged in the new found battery tender over night and still nothing. Could the battery have gone completely dead in just 4 weeks? The battery is just over 4 years old.
    Situation, I am 100 miles from the nearest F-Car dealer and would rather not have to tow it all that way. How hard is it to remove the left front wheel and inside fender to replace the battery? I have a Chevy dealer ~ 20 miles away that I can tow the car to and they said they would try to tackle the battery change. What do you think of that. I just can not believe that it went completely dead and will not take any charge. Are there any other issues to look for? Thanks
     
  2. Jerrari

    Jerrari F1 Veteran

    Jul 24, 2001
    5,469
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Jerry Wiersma
    #2 Jerrari, Mar 18, 2005
    First of all I would say that the battery probably just has a loose terminal on it as opposed to going completely dead in 4 weeks. To take the wheel off, the lug nuts are 22 mm then the access panel has 4-5 phillips head screws which will get you to the battery. Take the terminals off and clean the inside of them w/ sand paper and then clean the posts. Then fasten the terminals back on the posts and tighten (they are 10 mm, at least mine were). Good luck.
     
  3. matteo

    matteo F1 World Champ

    Aug 1, 2002
    13,748
    On a plane somewhere
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    Heir Butt
    #3 matteo, Mar 18, 2005

    Sounds like your battery is dead. Pulling it is fairly easy with a jack but if you feel like it is too much work, you could tow it to the chevy dealer or a sears and have them test the battery.

    Do you get any power in the car? lights? radio? if so then you might have a bad alternator or dead starter
     
  4. CTM

    CTM Karting

    Aug 5, 2004
    194
    New York, Catskills
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #4 CTM, Mar 18, 2005
    Completely dead, no lights, nothing. Two more questions if I may. I just got off the phone with Justin at WWOC and he said to access the battery you pull the right wheel off, but the manual says the left wheel. ?????
    Secondly, if I go the tow route is there anything special that a regular tow truck driver will need to know in order to pick the car up and drop it without causing any damage? Thanks guys.
     
  5. Ski Guy 348

    Ski Guy 348 Formula Junior

    Mar 29, 2004
    261
    Greenville, SC
    Full Name:
    Jay M.
    #5 Ski Guy 348, Mar 18, 2005
    Check the battery cut-off.........
     
  6. Ski Guy 348

    Ski Guy 348 Formula Junior

    Mar 29, 2004
    261
    Greenville, SC
    Full Name:
    Jay M.
    #6 Ski Guy 348, Mar 18, 2005
    To access the battery on my Spider, it is the LEFT wheel......If you have it towed, make sure they use EXTREME caution with the front spoiler.....
     
  7. matteo

    matteo F1 World Champ

    Aug 1, 2002
    13,748
    On a plane somewhere
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    Heir Butt
    #7 matteo, Mar 18, 2005

    I got $20 on the battery being dead.

    For towing. Have them use the tow hook to pull it onto the truck. A few 2x4's will help get the lip onto the truck as well
     
  8. CTM

    CTM Karting

    Aug 5, 2004
    194
    New York, Catskills
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #8 CTM, Mar 18, 2005
    Thanks for the help fellas, most appreciated. I will check the battery cut off and go from there.
     
  9. reinerkaiser

    reinerkaiser Karting

    Nov 25, 2003
    151
    Redondo Beach
    Full Name:
    Reiner Kaiser
    #9 reinerkaiser, Mar 18, 2005
    many car batteries don't like to be deep-cycled more than a few times/
    just put a new battery in, it's not that hard.

    1) remove the left rear wheel

    2) remove the back wheel cover

    3) remove old battery

    4) buy new battery

    5) re-install

    done!
     
  10. fanatic1

    fanatic1 Guest

    Nov 1, 2003
    561
    columbus
    Full Name:
    philip
    #10 fanatic1, Mar 18, 2005
    battery is behind left wheel as stated. TRUST ME, if I can handle a battery change, ANYONE can. I've got the mechanical inclination of a chimp.
     
  11. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
    5,966
    Milton, Wash.
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    Jeff B.
    #11 Miltonian, Mar 18, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Did you leave the key in the ignition switch while the car was parked for four weeks? Apparently this will cause the battery to go dead on a 348. I'm not really sure of the reason, but I have heard of more than one case (including on my own 348) where the battery holds a charge indefinitely when you remove the key, and goes dead in a few days if you leave the key in.

    Older 348's like mine have the battery in the back, and don't have the cutoff switch/knob. I believe your car should have a knob somewhere in the front trunk compartment, as item #61 in the illustration. Your Owners Handbook would show the exact location. Good luck, hope you don't have to have the car towed!
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  12. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,044
    USA
    #12 f355spider, Mar 18, 2005
    I'm in agreement, four year old battery, and run "flat" one too many times will kill it for sure. Once it is dead, it will no longer accept a charge.
     
  13. Kevallino

    Kevallino Formula 3

    Feb 10, 2004
    2,257
    Mid-Ohio
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    #13 Kevallino, Mar 18, 2005
    Pretty sure on the spiders the battery is in front of the left front wheel. Also if you use the battery cutoff switch going forward, remember that cutting the power to the ECUs resets them, so you have to do the ol' 10 minutes at idle with no accessories on trick to get them reset.

    My car sat for three weeks with no tender (no place to plug in where I am) and fired immediately so it can be done!!

    Cheers
    Kevin
     
  14. CTM

    CTM Karting

    Aug 5, 2004
    194
    New York, Catskills
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #14 CTM, Mar 18, 2005
    Leaving the key in the igntion, NEVER! The more I read the more I think I will muster up the nerve and try to tackle this myself instead of the tow. Again thanks to all for pitching in with guidance.
     

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