Ferrari F355 starting problems ...

[perrya]

Hi all.

I've been having an intermittent problem starting my 1995 manual F355. It started a few weeks ago - every now and then it just doesn't start, no starter motor activity at all. When I get the key to the second (pre-turnover, all dash warning lights etc.) position, there's the usual faint sound of pumps and whatever priming briefly, and then I turn the key to fire the engine ... and nothing. Sometimes, if I leave it 10 minutes, it just works as normal, and sometimes it doesn't. It's now got to the point where I'm uncomfortable taking it anywhere in case I can't get back!

The battery reads good, and the alternator is showing good output on my meter. I have a hefty charger, and a trickle charger, and using these doesn't affect the unpredictability of whether it will start or not. Today, after several days on trickle, and after attaching a 20aH jump-starter booster, nothing. So I guess it ain't the battery. I haven't been able to start it for 3 days now, so obviously I have a problem!

I just got back from a 2000km blast down to the South of France, and the car behaved perfectly - just as well this didn't happen then!

Any ideas?

Cheers, Adrian

[trickywoo]

Could be a faulty ignition barrel or a problem with the starter itself. Either not getting power to the solenoid or a problem with the motor in the starter.

If you can get a multi-meter onto the solenoid connector you can see if its getting current.

Could also be an immobiliser issue (unlikely).

[ferrarispider]

Check the earth strap under the right hand side of the car. If ya look under the bumper you will see it. Also check that the starter motor bolts that hold it it position (3 of them) are also tight, so get ya spanner on to see. The starter is not hard to get at it ya stick ya head under the bumper, its on the right hand side of the pumpkin at about 2, o clock. Also check that the electrical conections are also tight, or better still take the conectors of and clean them. Also check under the right hand side engine bay cover and check that the 3 thick cables are tight, becourse this is the junction box for the main feeds to and from the starter, alternator and the battery. They meet here.
Your problem sounds very much like a bad electrical conection, due to my car doing the same thing when i first got it. On mine it was a conection on the starter.

[perrya]

Many thanks guys - as per Sod's law it started first time this morning. Don't know if this helps, but when I turn the key to the 'start' position, there's a 1-2 second delay before the starter motor kicks in (very strongly, so confirming not a battery problem).

Also, when I was in France I had an intermittent problem with the wipers. Sometimes they wouldn't work on intermittent or normal - only on high-speed. Another time, they'd be fine. I was just thinking maybe there's an electrical problem in or around that part of the steering column near the ignition - the wiper stalk attaches just above the ignition. Straws - clutching at ;-)

I quite like the idea of the ignition barrel being the problem - rather than the starter, or something worse.

Will keep you posted.

Thanks again ...