456mGTA electrical issues

DavetheChemist · 12-17-2011, 07:28 PM

Hi everyone.
I unfortunately let my 456's battery get a little flat so I've charged it again and there seems to be plenty of life....secondary electrics work fine, however she won't turn over. All I get is a loud clicking resonating thru the sound system. Also, the ignition cuts in and out when I press the brake peddle. The clicking has happened before and seems to indicate insufficient charge but comes right after the battery is charged some more. Currently the battery has had about 72 hours on the charger and still she won't start.
Any suggestions?

a1exander · 12-17-2011, 07:31 PM

Possible dead cell by the sound of things.
Have you a hydrometer to check the battery with? If not a test meter to see what voltage the battery is at whilst turning the key?
Is the battery "bubbling" whilst under charge?

tazandjan · 12-17-2011, 07:47 PM

Dave- Those symptoms indicate a bad battery, like Peter said. I never give a battery a second chance. They are just not that expensive. If you swap it and it still will not start, then it is time for some more extensive diagnostics.

One thing you might check before swapping, though, is to make sure the ground strap is making good contact.

DavetheChemist · 12-17-2011, 08:42 PM

Thanks guys. I'll pull the battery out and put it on a proper charger and see how things go tomorrow. I'll let you know.
Thanks heaps for the prompt replies

DavetheChemist · 12-17-2011, 10:02 PM

Well.....battery is out and on the charger. It was making a very light bubbling sound on the trickle charger so I'm thinking I've let it cycle up and down too many times. Might have to keep the new battery on the trickle charger all the time as I'm only putting on a couple of hundred km per month.
I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow.....

Second thought.......who designs the secondary 'bits' on these cars? I'm always amazed that you cannot simply disconnect the battery, unhook a stay or two and lift it out. You always have to disassemble half the engine bay!!

a1exander · 12-17-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavetheChemist

Second thought.......who designs the secondary 'bits' on these cars? I'm always amazed that you cannot simply disconnect the battery, unhook a stay or two and lift it out. You always have to disassemble half the engine bay!!

A sadist and the cars are bought by masochists.

tazandjan · 12-18-2011, 11:53 AM

Dave- If you have a tendency to let the battery run down, get an absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery for a replacement. They can be deep discharged dozens of times with no adverse affects. Plus there is no danger of leakage.

DavetheChemist · 12-21-2011, 02:39 PM

Yup......battery is stuffed. New sealed gel battery on order......I hate living at the end of the world....none in NZ - one on order....ETA: 6 weeks!!! Grrrrrrrr

Brian · 12-21-2011, 02:56 PM

Battery on a 456 is far easier the get in and out than on many modern cars. It can easily be done in under a minute.

The worst I ever experienced was a Citroen SM. Removal of right front fender is step one. On our Mercedes disassembly of the interior is required. In many BMW's the battery is located under the electric rear seat. The electrical function is required to be operational to access the battery.

It is not a tractor. If you want the utmost in durability, ease of access and easy servicing I suggest John Deere. If on the other hand you want something that drives a little better some compromises need to be made.

Granucci · 12-21-2011, 03:01 PM

Mondial Ts are no fun front wheel needs removal.

DavetheChemist · 12-21-2011, 03:09 PM

A friend's Porsche, can't recall the model, required the removal of a rear wheel to access the battery housing......car architects sure have a neat sense of humour!!

12-17-2011, 07:28 PM	#1
DavetheChemist Owner Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kaikoura, New Zealand Ferrari Life Posts: 21	456mGTA electrical issues Hi everyone. I unfortunately let my 456's battery get a little flat so I've charged it again and there seems to be plenty of life....secondary electrics work fine, however she won't turn over. All I get is a loud clicking resonating thru the sound system. Also, the ignition cuts in and out when I press the brake peddle. The clicking has happened before and seems to indicate insufficient charge but comes right after the battery is charged some more. Currently the battery has had about 72 hours on the charger and still she won't start. Any suggestions?

12-17-2011, 07:47 PM	#3
tazandjan Owner Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Ferrari Life Posts: 3,603 Name: Terry H Phillips	Dave- Those symptoms indicate a bad battery, like Peter said. I never give a battery a second chance. They are just not that expensive. If you swap it and it still will not start, then it is time for some more extensive diagnostics. One thing you might check before swapping, though, is to make sure the ground strap is making good contact. Taz Terry Phillips Present: 575M 135171 Past: Dino 246 GT 02984, 365 GTB/4 14009, 308 GTS 25125 Every day I look around, and if nobody is shooting at me, it is a pretty good day.

12-18-2011, 11:53 AM	#7
tazandjan Owner Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Ferrari Life Posts: 3,603 Name: Terry H Phillips	Dave- If you have a tendency to let the battery run down, get an absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery for a replacement. They can be deep discharged dozens of times with no adverse affects. Plus there is no danger of leakage. Taz Terry Phillips Present: 575M 135171 Past: Dino 246 GT 02984, 365 GTB/4 14009, 308 GTS 25125 Every day I look around, and if nobody is shooting at me, it is a pretty good day.

12-21-2011, 03:01 PM	#10
Granucci Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: far and away Ferrari Life Posts: 5,047	Mondial Ts are no fun front wheel needs removal. Guide to the Galaxy: Don't Panic Rik -- LAH ! Current: 1990 Mondial T Cabriolet : Red/Tan 1995 456 GT 2+2 : Roso Metalizzato [Fer 311/C] & Tan Last edited by Granucci; 12-21-2011 at 03:58 PM.

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12-17-2011, 07:31 PM	#2
a1exander Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Johannesburg RSA Ferrari Life Posts: 768 Name: Peter	Possible dead cell by the sound of things. Have you a hydrometer to check the battery with? If not a test meter to see what voltage the battery is at whilst turning the key? Is the battery "bubbling" whilst under charge?

12-17-2011, 08:42 PM	#4
DavetheChemist Owner Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kaikoura, New Zealand Ferrari Life Posts: 21	Thanks guys. I'll pull the battery out and put it on a proper charger and see how things go tomorrow. I'll let you know. Thanks heaps for the prompt replies

12-17-2011, 10:02 PM	#5
DavetheChemist Owner Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kaikoura, New Zealand Ferrari Life Posts: 21	Well.....battery is out and on the charger. It was making a very light bubbling sound on the trickle charger so I'm thinking I've let it cycle up and down too many times. Might have to keep the new battery on the trickle charger all the time as I'm only putting on a couple of hundred km per month. I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow..... Second thought.......who designs the secondary 'bits' on these cars? I'm always amazed that you cannot simply disconnect the battery, unhook a stay or two and lift it out. You always have to disassemble half the engine bay!!

12-21-2011, 02:39 PM	#8
DavetheChemist Owner Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kaikoura, New Zealand Ferrari Life Posts: 21	Yup......battery is stuffed. New sealed gel battery on order......I hate living at the end of the world....none in NZ - one on order....ETA: 6 weeks!!! Grrrrrrrr

12-21-2011, 02:56 PM	#9
Brian Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern California Ferrari Life Posts: 859 Name: Brian Crall	Battery on a 456 is far easier the get in and out than on many modern cars. It can easily be done in under a minute. The worst I ever experienced was a Citroen SM. Removal of right front fender is step one. On our Mercedes disassembly of the interior is required. In many BMW's the battery is located under the electric rear seat. The electrical function is required to be operational to access the battery. It is not a tractor. If you want the utmost in durability, ease of access and easy servicing I suggest John Deere. If on the other hand you want something that drives a little better some compromises need to be made.

12-21-2011, 03:09 PM	#11
DavetheChemist Owner Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kaikoura, New Zealand Ferrari Life Posts: 21	A friend's Porsche, can't recall the model, required the removal of a rear wheel to access the battery housing......car architects sure have a neat sense of humour!!