I may need a new battery (430)

I will have my battery checked next week. If I need a new battery, should I go with the Interstate MTP-91? Is it a direct fit and should I purchase the vent kit? Does it really need to be vented? And where is the best place to purchase this battery in So Cal?

And the last question, is it really necessary to perform the relearn process after installing a new battery? It seems like overkill. It I skip this step, what's the outcome?

I did some researching and it seems like a pain in the ass to perform. Will the radio need a security code as well? If so, I don't have one.

Before I change out the battery, I don't want more problems to follow.

This should be an easy process and the least expensive one, considering the cost of everything else that can go wrong.

 

John, an accessory was left on my '08 f430 and ran the battery to Zip. I dug it out, disconnected the cables and charged it. Upon re-installation the radio needed to be re-coded, but that was it. No other discernible or "re-learn" issues. Check you manuals package for a card with the radio code on it, otherwise a dealer can get it for you I am told. Entering the code is simple...turn on the radio and it guides you through it.

 

I just changed the battery on my scud yesterday. I bought a battery tester and it showed that the battery was done. I bought a replacement battery at orielleys, being that I've never changed a battery before I didnt feel comfortable doing it on my car. However I was told it was really simple. Ive offered some money to one of the workers at orielleys to change my battery after he was off work and it only took him 30 mins to get everything done. You just need the code for the radio and if your alarm starting going off just lock and unlock the car with the remote key and everything should be fine. I posted a similar thread to yours 2 days ago (saturday). Hope it should resolve your issue.

Happy Holidays

 

If you need a battery get a gel cel like Optima, Diehard gel etc . No vent needed

 

thanks for all the replys. My car has had five previous owners and I know I don't have the radio code. So the dealer can supply it for me? If I don't have the code, then the radio is inoperable? And when hooking up the new battery, the alarm will sound and all is needed is to hit the fob to turn it off. Sounds easy enough.

Thanks again.

 

Do you need to do anything in terms of "radio code" if you have an aftermarket radio???

 

Depends on the radio...most of them I would say no; but some do have the code feature.

I've always wondered why they bother with the code. It's really a "who cares" situation. By the time some low-life gets to the point he discovers he needs the code, it's long since extracted from your car and sitting on his table in his house. The damage the low-life has inflicted to your Ferrari is five times the value of the crappy OEM Ferrari radio or your aftermarket model.

 

I pulled the cover off and had the battery checked today. It's fine for now. So no need to purchase a new one. My battery even had the pig tails for the trickle charger already installed. I didn't know that.

Anyway, I was talking with the guy from Autozone. They have a device that plugs into the diagnostics port. This device provide electric power to your vehicle while you change your battery. So therefore, no need to perform a relearn or re-code your radio. Great idea!

They also bag up the battery leads, insulating them from shorting out, since they will be hot with the battery being backed up using their battery device.

The only thing that scares me is that no one knows how mechanically inclined these guys are. If they short out your car, I'm not sure how liable they will be. He told me he does this all the time with Mercedes and other high end cars. He actually seemed quite confident and I might go with his system when I need a new battery. It would save me from pulling my radio to retrieve my personal code.

Just thought I'd pass on this information for those looking at replacing their batteries.

 

Im pretty sure they carry liability for damaging a car they work on.
I had Jiffy Lube do a change on my old Mitsubishi Eclipse back in college... they forgot to add oil. By the time I went a block or two the car was toast.
New Eclipse 2 weeks later.

 

There is a process you are supposed to go through after putting in a new battery, but its very simple. I believe it's leaving the key in position II for ~15 seconds before starting it, and then letting it run at idle for some amount of time before driving it that first time. 15 mins or so I believe. Check the manual to verify.

 

Nashtyboy,

You're right. However, you have to have the radio code as well. If not, you need to pull the radio and get the serial # and request the code for your radio. When I purchased my car, it came with no radio code.

Thanks

 

Or do what I do... leave it off

 

Please do not do this. These cars can be very sensitive to electric charge, so much so that even jumping a battery can wreak havoc on your electrical system. I would NOT trust the word of an Autozone tech, these cars are specialized.

If your Ferrari factory trained tech recommended this, then I would say "maybe," but given the many threads on damage just for jumping, I would be very careful. From what I understand, you are not even supposed to jump these cars, rather, you charge the battery in place or do a replacement.

A fried electric system would be a very, very big deal.

 

I'm sure you're right, good advice.

Thanks,

 

These are cars not planes . Get the radio or better scrap the crap factory unit for a new one. Turn off master power switch change battery ...

Very simple less than one hours. I've done this a few time already

 

Ditto what donJuan said, be careful, don't short anything out, Red to plus. do some thread searching as this happens often. It's not rocket surgery.


Jeff Pintler
89 348tb, 86tr, 99 360 3-pedal