| Author |
Message |
James Christian (Jimc)
New member
Username: Jimc
Post Number: 34
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 7:06 pm: | |
Rob,
I may be "typing out of turn" here, but I just have to speak up. If you loose spark on a bank, your injection system is just going to keep pumping the ol' fuel right into those cylinders, and out the tail it comes. If this hit's a hot cat, LOOK OUT! And you described it yourself!
One sugestion for you is to find out the temperature needed on the thermo-couple to activate your indicator from one of the manuals- or an expert. Then, see if you can hit this temperature with a standard heat-gun. You can probably get there. Anyway, pull the thermo-couple from the cat, make sure you ground the housing, warm the car up and let it idle (to make sure all the electronics are active), then hit the couple with the heat gun and see if you can trigger the indicator.
Another option is to leave the device in the car, then make a voltage measurement where the device plugs into the computer. (disconnect it first!) Although I have not researched this thermo-couple, but most thermo-couples simply generate a small linear DC voltage as they are heated. If you can find out the spec on the thermo-couple, you may be able to watch it's affect and determine if it's working or not.
If not, follow the wiring up and make sure it's not cut or burned or unplugged. If I'm not mistaken, and I might be, the device plugs directly into the computer in the left rear of the storage area. If all seems fine, you may want to just replace the thermo-couple. I would anyway after loosing a bank and lighting up the exhaust.
Good luck! |
Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member
Username: Irfgt
Post Number: 2018
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 6:37 pm: | |
It is a Ferrari, right? |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 2192
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 6:22 pm: | |
OK, I'm a dip ••••, my steering wheel blocks all the top lights perfectly, I wouldn't of seen it if it was on anyway. My light does come on for about a second when I turn the key to the on position.
Now before we finish off this thread. I assume that even though the lights come on at start up, there could still be a problem down the line that would never turn the slow down light on when something was wrong.
Thanks everyone! |
Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Intermediate Member
Username: 91tr
Post Number: 1070
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 6:05 pm: | |
Rob -- here's the self-test text from the TR WSM 330/84 (but I think it applies to all pre-OBD catalytic-equipped Fs circa '78 to '91):
{start quote}
Note: In order to check the fonctionality [sic] of the exhaust temperature control system, the two warning lamp are lighted by the relative ECU, evry [sic] time that the ignition key is turned to the "ON" position
{end quote}
In the three other languages they say something about the time (alcuni secondi, secondes, Sekunden) but not in the English text. |
Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member
Username: Irfgt
Post Number: 2011
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 4:47 pm: | |
I believe the lights should come on when starting the engine. There can also be combustion from residual fuel in the exhaust manifold that does not overheat the cat if the oxygen gets used up which could explain the glowing exhaust. |
Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Intermediate Member
Username: 91tr
Post Number: 1069
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 4:15 pm: | |
Whether you actually start the engine, or just turn the key "on", the slow-down lights should come on for a second or two and then go out (but this may be in the WSMs rather than the OMs as I stated before -- the OMs just seems to say: "Under normal running conditions all the red warning lights should be out".) |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 2189
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 4:04 pm: | |
Is the cold self test just like any car that all lights should come on at start. If that's true, then I don't think mine is working, because I haven't noticed any lights come on when I start it. My battery light stays on until the fast idle or I take the enigne about 1500 RPM. |
Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Intermediate Member
Username: 91tr
Post Number: 1067
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 3:57 pm: | |
Rob -- Is your slow-down light cold self-test working properly? Ed's point is well taken that if there's no ignition source to get it all started (like a hot catalyst brick) it could all stay cold and wet -- but glowing "orange hot" sounds like it should have illuminated (or was darn close). I think there's a ballpark DC resistance that the thermocouple itself should have when cold (but I don't have the WSM with me -- if someone's got it please post) |
Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member
Username: Irfgt
Post Number: 2008
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 3:54 pm: | |
It went out the exhaust as a rich Hydrocarbon laden vapor. |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 2188
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 3:47 pm: | |
Yes, I meant slow down light. Although there was no spark, since I was driving it another 5-7 miles, it was dumping gas in the cylinders and I'm sure that would go out the exhaust too? Where did all that unburnt gas go? I know some went in the oil, because you could smell it. When I pulled over the exhaust was orange hot. The car runs great now, so no damage evidently, just wondering if I had a bad slow down sensor. |
Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member
Username: Irfgt
Post Number: 2002
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 3:30 pm: | |
Not necessarily. If there is no spark on a complete bank then there will be no combustion and therefore no overheated cats. I am assuming you are talking about the SLOW DOWN light. An overheated cat is usually caused by a misfire or an overly rich mixture. |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 2185
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 1:30 pm: | |
When I lost spark in the front bank, I knew something was wrong because I only had 50% power, but I don't remember the engine warning light coming on. I drove another 5-7 ,miles before pulling over. Should it in this situation?
thanks,
rob |