If owning a 355 was easy, everybody would want one. Haven't had any F1 system problems in almost 7 years of ownership - until this morning. Three miles into my routine weekly drive went to shift from second to third and got the aural beeping and red gearbox light. Would not shift up out of second, but first, neutral and reverse all worked fine. Shut it down then restarted and red gearbox light was off. First and second ok but beeping and gearbox light came back on as soon as I tried to shift to third. Basically, I don't have third through sixth gear. Limped home in second and parked it. I know there are numerous F1 shifting problem threads out there but I thought I would first check to see if anybody has experienced this particular scenario before? Appreciate any help or suggestions.
Dave, that's what I said, nooooooooooooooo! Not sure how I'm going to approach this gearbox issue as the car was at FoS for almost 2 months over the winter for Sticky-No-More work, new battery, new tires and routine service. It looks great and was running fine until this issue. Kinda depressed about it right now as I was all set to just drive it, if you know what I mean. I will fix it, but don't know when or how just yet. Thanks for the compliment on the PH article. Actually had two in the last issue (#202) - one on the Daytona Finali Mondiali and another (mainly photos) in the Le Fotografie Ferrari section. Glad to hear that someone actually reads the magazine. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Not to go OT - but I'm pretty sure that's not Robbie's work as those are not the vent arrow decals he uses (FYI - those are not proper for a 355)
Car looks great., The F1 system is not that complicated compared today's fancy units. You'll get it sorted. Must be the season for F1 hick-ups It is interesting in that you can get 1-2. Your speedometer work? I ask because if the speedo sensor fails, the TCU thinks the car is stopped and will only allow 1, 2 & R as gear selections if the engine is running. Try turning on the car without starting it and see if you get 3 - 6. Curious. Anyway. Best of luck share and your symptoms. We love to play internet doctor around here
Was your speedo working? I had similar thing happen with a faulty speedo sensor. Without that input it won't let you shift. So when that happened I put the car in nuetral then upshifted it should pick the appropriate gear based on RPM to limp home without being stuck in second. But no idea if thats what happend to.you but Id check that first. Some sensor isnt happy no matter what.
Just reading the workshop manual.... 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th use Electrohydraulic valve 4 on the power unit. Reverse, 1 and 2 don't. http://www.the355.com/mambo/showworkshoppage.php?page=20&volume=2 How easy are the electrical plugs to access? Are the electrical plugs secure?
That is also a possibility. Check with engine off and try gears first as suggested. Speedo as people have said more common. Also look underneath and make sure actuator has not been rubbing cross member. Then tell us whats going on. Then check plug as suggested.
Wiley If you ever get stuck like that again and need to get home when the car won't shift past second because the speedo is not working,drive the car up to 70kph or 45mph in second and pull back both shift paddle's back at the same time then let them both go at the same time ,and the car will go into 5th or 6th gear depending on rpm,The car will still down shift as normal.It's a 355f1 safety feature that the 355 has that lots of people don't know about.Can be a real saver if your on the HWY to get your car home. Michael
Good point. Provided its not mechanical within the tranny. Of course it will try. Wont automatic still work as well.
Thanks to all for the information and suggestions. The FChat 355 brotherhood is an awesome group! I didn't notice that the speedometer was not working because I was flustered by the beeping alarm, red gearbox failure light and the big red "2" gear selected staring me in the face as I tried to shift up. Anyway, I checked the odometer and sure enuf, it shows the mileage at the point where I had the fault and not what it should have been for the trip. I also followed the suggestion to turn the key on with the motor off and was able to shift through all the gears, 1-6, neutral, reverse. Checked the F1 reservoir fluid level too, and it is just where it should be.
Disconect the plug and clean it and see if it fixes it. But there's a few for sale on ebay. I have one spare now just incase.
Cool. Easy fix...as Phrogs mentioned expensive sensor for what it is, but 'eh, when you thought you had a big money repair ahead, $300 is an easy exit!
Isn't that part the Gearbox Input Shaft Revolution sensor, located on the gearbox sump? According to the manual, the car speedo sensor is on the gearbox lay shaft. Isn't it P/N 149095.... Item 34 in the following diagram? https://www.ricambiamerica.com/car-diagrams/ferrari/v6-v8/355-group/f355-m5-2-1996/gearbox-covers-and-lubrication.html I stand to be corrected Cheers. (EDIT: Or is it 162916?... also shown as a speed sensor. Item 22 in this diagram? https://www.ricambiamerica.com/car-diagrams/ferrari/v6-v8/355-group/f355-m5-2-1996/injection-device-ignition.html )
Nope - #81 Ferrari 355 (5.2 Motronic) - Gearbox Covers and Lubrication: Page 031 | Order Online Eurospares Same as the box I posted EDIT - it seems the F1 may have the sensor I posted along with the one that you posted. I don't have time to read the WSM now but it would seem both are used??
Thanks, Dave... Most confusing. Yes, it seems both are used. The manual says: "1.3 Transmission Control Unit (TCU) The signals to be sent to the TCU are: *engine rpm *gearbox main shaft speed *gearbox layshaft speed ...." "2.4.5 Gearbox Input shaft revolution sensor Installed on the gearbox oil sump... To disassemble it, it should be emptied" "2.4.7 Car Speed Sensor The car speed signal is generated by a Hall effect sensor, placed on the gearbox layshaft" (no mention of emptying the gearbox) "Use of car speed sensor signal 1. F1 TCU 2. Motronic 5.2 ECU 3. Suspension ECU." "2.4.8 Engine Rotation Speed Sensor..." (no location given... "Fig 25 _Use of the engine rotation speed signal: 1. F1 TCU 2. Motronic 5.2 ECU" I just have to figure out where the layshaft is
Thanks Michael. Didn't know about that feature and will probably use it if I end up taking the car in for the fix.
I've been taking the F1 system for granted because it's worked so well for me (knock on wood). A lot to learn. Not to sound too dense, but we are referring to Ricambi's item 34 (#149095), the (speedometer) speed sensor, on Table 31? And you would have to drain the gearbox to replace it? I will try this if it's not to hard to get to - I'm a senior citizen with limited resources and mobility. That will be a relief if it turns out to be the (only) problem. Again, thanks to all of you who have chimed in on this.
You need to drain the gearbox for the one I posted as changing the sensor would actually drain it too (on your head) Image Unavailable, Please Login
