[Barry]

The first of many questions....

One our mini FLED today we did encounter 1 issue.

30 miles into the journey we both noticed a very strong smell of burning. 1-2 minutes later the faintest traces of smoke started to emerge from the top of the glove box. Having pulled swiftly into the hard shoulder and taken my junior co-pilot out of the car I went investigating. My conclusion is that the smoke was coming from the fuse box (which is located under the glove box). Only problem is that no specific fuse looked scorched or burnt.

Having let things cool down we set off again - with all fuses uncovered so that we could keep an eye on things. Also all lights off (at the time of the smoke signals, I had been driving with dipped headlights and fog lights on).

150 miles later and no reoccurance of smoke. When we arrived in Dublin it was nighttime so lights had to be used (but no fog lights). Thankfully still no reoccurance. So I'm concluding some kind of overheating of a fuse and most probably the fog light fuse.

Does this sound like common sense. Any observations or advice????

[brettgagnon]

Sounds like fuses/wires in that location for sure. Has the fusebox been upgraded?

If not you may want to think about it, as it is a quick way to eliminate that as a cause. I did it for my GTB, it took an hour as I went with the Birdman fusebox, link below.

Aftermarket Fusebox for Ferrari 308 and 512 series

[Barry]

Thanks Brett. I think you have just created my first 308 project. Did you replace the fuse box yourself. Is it a simple job (for someone with no mechanical/electrical knowledge)?

[brettgagnon]

I did it myself, it is very very very easy.

A big hint: label everything

Otherwise easiest task you will do on your car, and you can then be sure that the fusebox is not the issue.

Added bonus: modern fuses!

[Barry]

Originally Posted by brettgagnon

I did it myself, it is very very very easy.

A big hint: label everything

Otherwise easiest task you will do on your car, and you can then be sure that the fusebox is not the issue.

Added bonus: modern fuses!

Sold. Plus the brother is an electrician, I think it's about time I invited up to the house for dinner....

[Pete04222]

Echo with what Brett said. The 308 fusebox is a very weak item and one of the easiest fixes to do. Here's a link to the post I made when I changed mine: Replacement fuse panel for 308

I made my own fuseblock so it took an afternoon but if you buy the fuseblock pre-made from Birdman it is literally a 15 minute job to install it. An hour if you add in the celebratory beer and admiring your handiwork part.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Pete04222

Echo with what Brett said. The 308 fusebox is a very weak item and one of the easiest fixes to do. Here's a link to the post I made when I changed mine: Replacement fuse panel for 308

I made my own fuseblock so it took an afternoon but if you buy the fuseblock pre-made from Birdman it is literally a 15 minute job to install it. An hour if you add in the celebratory beer and admiring your handiwork part.

+1, get the Birdman box. Much improvement over the smoky OEM original.

[Barry]

Birdman box it is so. Thanks for the advice and links.

[Vitalone]

Congratulations Barry, she looks beautiful! Really nice colour combination of black on black with tan carpets, inspired choice.

As for the fuses and wiring, some personal experience with the Michalone that may help. Driving to Calais to take ferry to England for FLED 3 in October 2009 and I turn the heater on. Soon smoke comes out of the dash. Stop, turn off heater, carry on, no more smoke. That evening after Stratos rims fitted, turn on lights. Soon smoke comes out of the dash. Turn off lights. Drive back to hotel in the dark. Next day to auto-electrician who advises me to fit Birdman fusebox and isolates heater so I that I now have headlights back.

Enjoy fantastic FLED 3. Driving back to Dover for ferry to Calais in driving rain and wipers stop working. Occassionally they stutter across the windscreen. Drive like this to Dover and then in the pouring rain from Calais to Amsterdam. Specialist repairs wipers, gets heater working and installs Birdman fusebox. Life is good. No more driving around with fusebox cover off to keep fuses cool.

Earlier this year, put on headlights, slight misfire, headlights off, misfire gone. Specialist goes through wiring of car and finds a short at wiring for centre console lighting. Aparently the centre console lights up at night with headlights on. This has been sorted out now so that no lighting for centre console (it never worked anyway). During 4500km drive in September this year no issues whatsoever, including long stretches during the 17 hour drive back with heater on, lights on, wipers working and sat nav plugged in.

In summary, my experience suggests fit Birdman fusebox and at the same time go through wiring to make sure there are no dud wires causing shorts. Then enjoy many happy and safe miles in your beautiful classic Ferrari!

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Vitalone

Driving to Calais to take ferry to England for FLED 3 in October 2009 and I turn the heater on. Soon smoke comes out of the dash. Stop, turn off heater, carry on, no more smoke. That evening after Stratos rims fitted, turn on lights. Soon smoke comes out of the dash. Turn off lights. Drive back to hotel in the dark.

install Birdman fusebox. Life is good. No more driving around with fusebox cover off to keep fuses cool.

Sounds like a familiar story David! Birdman it is, thanks for the advice (and good wishes!)

[Dino246gt]

Although mine is a GTB, here's how I handled the Birdman fuse box change myself in less than an hour, and EVERYTHING seemed to work better! First picture is original, second is labelled, third is completed.

[Barry]

Excellent Dino246GT. Those pictures will come in very handy soon. Thanks. Order for the new fuse box went in today.