488 - New Owner...3rd Brake Light always Iluminated | FerrariChat
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488 New Owner...3rd Brake Light always Iluminated

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by garnetvalley, Mar 13, 2019.

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  1. garnetvalley

    garnetvalley Rookie

    May 8, 2009
    10
    Philadelphia/Naples
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #1 garnetvalley, Mar 13, 2019
    Hi all...
    Just took delivery of a 2018 488 Spider.
    Went into my dark garage tonight and noticed the 3rd (upper) brake light is faintedly illuminated.
    See attached picture.
    Was reading about the battery issues and parasitic drain.
    Wondering if this could be a reason.
    Anyone else with this issue?
    Car is locked and alarm armed.
    No difference with headlight switch in auto or off position.




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  2. JohnTz

    JohnTz Karting

    Jun 21, 2018
    212
    Inverness, IL
    Full Name:
    John Tz
    #2 JohnTz, Mar 13, 2019
    Yes my 2018 does the same and three others that I have seen do it as well. Keep the tender on.
     
  3. Viperjoe

    Viperjoe F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    May 20, 2016
    2,663
    Washington Crossing, PA
    #3 Viperjoe, Mar 13, 2019
    Me too. 2018 GTB.
     
  4. OldDog

    OldDog Karting

    Nov 2, 2017
    55
    Sarasota, FL
    Full Name:
    JJ
    #4 OldDog, Mar 14, 2019
    It seems doubtful that a row of LED lights, dimly iluminated, would draw enough current to discharge a car battery in months, perhaps years. But why are they illuminated? Is it intentional on the designer's part? For what possible reason? Or is it just poor electrical system design? Or some artifact of the method chosen by Ferrari to enact the switching?

    It would be nice if some expert could weigh in on the issue (and perhaps on the real causes of the often observed "dead" batteries).
     
  5. JohnTz

    JohnTz Karting

    Jun 21, 2018
    212
    Inverness, IL
    Full Name:
    John Tz
    #5 JohnTz, Mar 14, 2019
    Clearly some design flaw. Dealer response was that they all do it and it causes no problems. Keep the tender on it when not driving.

    These cars draw significant current when off and it’s not just the third brake light. So I just keep the tender on it and hear it switch on and off all the time when on float.
     
  6. MANDALAY

    MANDALAY F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 23, 2013
    14,650
    AUSTRALIA
    Full Name:
    ANGELO
    #6 MANDALAY, Mar 15, 2019
    I posted this last year as i noticed it. Many reponded the same . Alarm on or off , GTB or Spider.

    Asked Ferrari service manager and still no responce 5 months.

    Keep it on the Tender
     
  7. sampelligrino

    sampelligrino Formula 3

    Apr 16, 2017
    1,245
    #7 sampelligrino, Mar 15, 2019
    I wonder if as more of the 458s/488s are getting out of warranty if anyone will take a look under the hood at the parasitic draw issue and if anything could be done to tone it down.. probably a dumb idea

    Funny how we herald these ICE cars and hold onto them dearly, when it looks like I will need my 488 plugged in more often than my Model X ;)


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