Ok, 99 355 spider. Detailed the car for 3 hours and then no lights on dash, won't start. Jump start works. Next day I get a new battery put in. 24hours later, middle of day, same thing, no lights, no start. Wait 5 minutes and starts right up. End of the same day, same thing, no dash lights, no start. Jump start starts it right up. Whats going on here???? Are the same hot solinod problems and bullet connectors problems from the 348 the same on the 355? Is this a charging system failure? Seems really odd and random.
Then why would it work after waiting 5 minutes? And the rest of the day (about 3 more hours with stops).
Yes, check them first and ensure they are clean and tight. Could have an issue with battery power from the battery area. The jump terminals are in the rear. I would give those terminals a really good once over on the battery. If they are tight, give the battery leads a little shake and see if the car loses battery power then. You may have a broken wire in there somewhere. Has your 355 got an isolator by any chance? An alarm maybe? I forget where the ground strap is in the engine bay in the 355's. Hopefully a 355 expert will chime in and help me here. I dont think the alt is shot. Sounds like its losing battery power for some reason, while the car is sitting there.
Are these something that is rebuilt or replaced? The car has that weird alarm thing. The one you have to push and wait till you hear 2 beeps before it starts. There is a battery charger someone hooked up to the front but I don't have the charger/connector. The radio is hard wired for what ever reason. I did not leave it on. I drove the car 600 miles the first 4 days with no problems. Then Sunday it went dead at the end of a long day of driving. Monday new battery and lots of driving. Then Tuesday it went dead at the end of a long day of driving.
They can be rebuilt. A few threads in here showing how to do so. Or you can just replace. But I would do the simple checks first. They are also free tests. You can also borrow an amp meter and multimeter to check alternator output. Or take your car to a good auto-elec to check the charging system for you. But I do not think that is your issue mate.
VERY hard to diagnose over the internet, but we will give it a go. Is there anyway you can turn off that alarm? That may be your problem right there mate.
You might want to call Tonkin's service dept and ask for direction, but I would investigate whether you are getting power to the ignition switch, and if power is coming out of it as well. Could be a problem there.
Anything to do with the TSB on upgrading the grounding strap on the alternator? Does this apply to 99's?
Oh, the radio (hard wired) and overhead and door lights work durring this "outage". No dash lights or motor equipment powering up though. The alarm works too and unlocks/locks the doors.
Oh boy... Time to start checking all the ground and terminal connections. Sounds like you have something loose somewhere. Get out the old voltmeter and test light and start having fun. I would start with the ground connections and then go to the plug at the ignition switch. Of course the alarm can't be ruled out either.
Service Italy of Vegas, who did the PPI, says the electrical system is fine. Blaims the people who put the battery in....or loose conection at the battery disconnect.
So you have power there then? Radio/door lights and the alarm still works also. Perhaps start checking fuses and relays mate. You maybe have a faulty relay there that sticks sometimes.
Applies to ALL years of 355, but unlikely your problem. Just the same, I would check for the strap, and if it has not been upgraded, either buy it from the dealer, or simply make one out of 10ga wire, and some crimp connectors.
You understand you must disable the alarm before starting each time? The immobilizer activates after 2 minutes with the key out. After that, you must push the alarm fob, and hear the "beep beep" before the starter will crank.
