Battery woes.

[dereksharpuk]

Like many, my Ferrari has been locked up in the garage since early March on the Ferrari conditioner. I have taken it out a few times for a 30 minute run. Lately, I have noted that the conditioner shows a red error light. This indicates battery knackered or, less likely, conditioner failure. Swopped conditioners and same again. So obviously battery. My battery (Bosch) was last replaced in 2009. Given that batteries last up to 8 years, it is not surprising that mine has finally given up the ghost. I can get a replacement for as little as circa £150, but my local Ferrari dealership will fit the approved battery (Odyssey) for £445 incl VAT. I hell of a lot more. But I have gone for the most expensive option because:

1. The battery is far superior to others. I know that for a fact and used them in my aeroplane.
2. The car will probably not start, so they will have to recover it.
3. The battery charge will include sorting out all the error lights that probably will show.
4. They will perform a complimentary health check, valet & sanitise it.

So, given this is not a Ford Focus, maybe not a good time to cut corners and save a few bob.

[dereksharpuk]

oharedm said:

What car do you have ?
I have 458 Italia, always on a CTEK. Invest in a good CTEK for AGM battery as it is much superior to the Ferrari one which is a cheap re-branded CTEK. In 3 years I have changed my Bosch S3 twice, after long term standing the cranking current is really high and I think it can damage the battery prematurely. You will have all sorts of error messages if the battery is not 100%, low voltage on start-up will trigger many random things as the ECU's are very sensitive to voltage.

It is easy to fit with a few tools, the restart procedure is important. All documented on the net or in owners manual.
US owners starting to fit lithium batteries but they are about £1k here.

Yes, I have the approved Ferrari (CTEK) conditioner. I swopped for my other brand new CTEK. Same problem. Interesting that you think the Ferrari unit is not suitable. Maybe time to buy a better one as my new CTEK is on the M2. As for doing it myself, I'm old & knackered . Years ago I changed gearboxes on my cars. Now I won't change a spark plug... Might as well give the loot to Ferrrari rather than leave it to my kids

[dereksharpuk]

HardtopManual said:

If you want the approved battery, why not just buy one and fit it yourself?

It's not cutting corners, it's avoiding a mugging.

See my latest answer. Yup, I would save money, but it is only money and I don't want to mess with error lights. By the way, the car is a F430 Spider.

[dereksharpuk]

red_slr said:

If you can get the pax door all the way open its not that bad, the problem is people try and do it in a small garage with the door against a wall.

Indeed. And if the battery is flat, getting the car out of the garage is a problem. Finally, it is all well & good for you youngsters age 50 (or younger), but at 75, with arthritis, kneeling down is a problem. Best I shell out at Ferrari.

[dereksharpuk]

Taffy66 said:

DL maybe ?

Booked into DL tomorrow (Thursday). They always look after me (should do for what I pay). At least the Spider will get a good check over and complimentary valet. Fingers cross that it will start. If not, they will collect.

[dereksharpuk]

carspath said:

Please could you tell us whether the mechanics found the battery to be the culprit , or whether there was some other problem
I have had the same problem , and am keen to know
Thank you

Not taken the car in yet as the battery DL had was promised to another. No worries, might take it in today. Will report back.

[dereksharpuk]

red_slr said:

Have you tried a solar charger?

Bit of a problem as the sun does not shine in my garage . Tried an alternative charger and same problem. Thus not the charger.

[dereksharpuk]

Carspath. Pretty positive it is the battery, but they will perform a computer check.

Good service from Dick Lovett. They came to the house to collect the car. Could not jump-start it (my battery was totally knackered). Went back to the dealership and returned to fit a battery, then took it away for health check, valet etc.

Mentioned one thing. Do not turn off the conditioner at the mains socket. The battery will merely drain to the conditioner. If you do want to disconnect for a couple of days, disconnect at the car.

Well done Dick Lovett.

Edited by dereksharpuk on Friday 17th July 16:39

Edited by dereksharpuk on Friday 17th July 19:37

[dereksharpuk]

RogGT-R said:

Sorry to hijack - been reading this with interest (am looking to push button on the Rosso/Crema F12 at JCT Leeds) and I appear to have a massive problem in that a rent a garage space in London which is underground and has no power sockets.

Options?! Thanks in advance.

Need electricity. The battery will go flat in about 7 days, especially if a tracker is fitted.

[dereksharpuk]

carspath said:

dereksharpeuk - Thank you for keeping us informed , and also for the useful tip re disconnecting the conditioner at the car end .
It would be great to hear from you again re what the health check reveals , ie if it was simply the battery or if there was/is another factor .

Thank you once again

No worries, that is what this forum is all about. I never knew that disconnecting the conditioner at the wall (just to give it a rest) would drain the battery, but I'm sure that what mine did. Once of course the battery gets much below 9v a conditioner will not charge it up. DL did fit a temporary battery to get it back to the dealership and it started first time. So I suspect it was the battery, especially as it is 11 years old. Maybe, like aeroplanes, one changes some components on time rather than condition. This might have been rather a problem if I was far from home.