Random misfire | FerrariChat

Random misfire

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by freefly_1, Apr 23, 2014.

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  1. freefly_1

    freefly_1 Rookie

    Feb 3, 2014
    10
    Spain
    Hi guys I wonder if someone could help with a problem with my 360 spider having recently purchased it from a guy who obviously didn't care too much a out it, filthy engine sub standard tyres etc etc..
    Anyway it has a misfire that changes sometimes on start up it hunts quite badly other times it starts but you can hear a slight miss (I've noticed that sometimes this happens more if the cars battery is low on voltage on start up) even though I just put a new battery from Ferrari.
    Then when the car warms up more for. Either sitting or in traffic the misfire gets more apparent from listening to it the misfire is first one cylinder then another breaks down.
    The codes when read are ECU 14 FAULT CODE P0300 RANDOM MISFIRE,
    ECU 14 FAULT CODE P0301 CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE DETECTED,
    ECU 14 FAULT CODE P0308 CYLINDER 8 MISFIRE DETECTED
    I have changed the plugs the other day to see if that had anything to do with it but if anything if I'm honest it seemed more pronounced after.. Although couldn't be 100 sure..
    Trouble I have being in Spain is finding anyone really good as the main dealer here sells almost every make of car so definitely not Ferrari specialists...
    Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

    (Have ordered two coil packs)

    Shaun
     
  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,314
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    Take a look for the codes in the 360 section as likely this has happened to someone before - coil packs are a popular cause as you note - also if you post your location in the Spain area you might get suggestions for service - oh and make sure you wait for the 'check ok' light before starting the engine
     
  3. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,214
    Twin Cities
    Full Name:
    Tim Keseluk
    Coils are known to fail.

    This is one of several possibilities.
     
  4. Arron

    Arron Karting

    Mar 27, 2006
    66
    Kent, UK
    Coil packs most likely I guess, just done 2 on mine. Avoided the usual Ferrari Tax paying £34.00 each from a local car parts shop who are Bosch distributors as opposed to Eurospares prices which are approaching £100 each
     
  5. freefly_1

    freefly_1 Rookie

    Feb 3, 2014
    10
    Spain
    Hi thank you for your thoughts on this, it is looking as though one of the problems is the coil packs although I'm not too sure if there isn't another fault too.
    I moved the coil packs and re read it after driving it and although only one fault returned although it was clearly only running on 6 that one had moved to where I put it.
    As for the other it hadn't come up nor had the random misfire fault come up.
    The reason I think there may be another fault is because my battery keeps going low (need to check if there is a drain on it) even though it was brand new from Ferrari not two months ago. Now sometimes when it starts if I say leave it for 24 hours it's slow and then the dash check light sometimes bleeps and goes funky then the car runs rough...
    If then I let the battery charge a moment and re start it the engine runs normal (as well as normal is with this misfire)
    I'm kinda hoping that it just don't like it the fact it's missing.
    I have over these days charged the battery for when the coils arrive today.
    I'm near Marbella Spain and so far the mechanics I've found are from one extreme to the other. One guy quoted me 2000 euros for a belt service! The other garage wanted to put a new rebuilt clutch on the car from the local engineers...
    Mmm don't quite know who is the most dangerous...
    As for the main dealers Salamanca's you put the car there and maybe you'll get it back in a week or two...
     
  6. freefly_1

    freefly_1 Rookie

    Feb 3, 2014
    10
    Spain
    #6 freefly_1, Apr 25, 2014
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2014
    Just fitted two coils and first signs are good no hunting or detectable misfire on idle or slightly revving the engine.
    Will now take it out and see how it is to drive and when fully warmed up.
    Can anyone tell me if I kept the main power switch in the off position at home other than the obvious of having to re code the radio would it cause any problem for the car?
    Will keep posted after a drive
     
  7. netman

    netman Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2008
    1,905
    OC SoCal
    #7 netman, Apr 25, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  8. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 13, 2009
    15,918
    Charleston, SC
    Full Name:
    Curt
    I would also check the alternator output regarding your slow crank. What can happen is the main wire connection into the alternator can get hot, fray and develop resistance. This impairs the charging of the alternator. This is a possibility as the battery doesn't charge well, or, you have a component that is draining the battery. Probably on the cigarette lighter circuit, or like mine had.. a GPS locator wired into the battery. Just confirm all wiring is original on the battery and if you want, pull the cigarette lighter fuse for a week. Other causes could be the radio or stereo amp. Its a process of elimination.
     
  9. freefly_1

    freefly_1 Rookie

    Feb 3, 2014
    10
    Spain
    Ok maybe I've done a mistake switching off under the hood as I e never done Ny procedure nor was I aware I had to do it.
    I read on a here on a thread someone did it because of a failure in the roof which I had after the battery failed as I was closing it.. (Had little or no pressure from the reservoir being half empty) it was stuck and I read try switch it off from under there to try and get it reset..
    Do I need to re do this procedure?
    As for the coils .. Different car omg having only had it a month and it's spent two and half weeks in for clutch etc.. Plus the misfire had just started I suspect on one cylinder then with the extra work and heat another failed..
    I'm buying six more and changing out all of them and just keep the working old ones as get out of trouble parts..
    As for the battery issue this car was take. Back by a finance company for non payment I paid a good price but the car had been taken by bailiffs and I found inside half a cut out stereo system and loads of wiring that had just been cut and left.
    Luckily in a past life I had stereo shops so removing the mess was quite easy.
    As for anything else in the wiring it seems original..
    Cigarette lighter has already been dismantled one of the to do jobs so am now wonder if this was a reason for the drain if it has one..
    Since the battery was fitted it sat waiting for the transport to pick it up and bring it to Spain. So I'm not sure if the battery drained while waiting around as it was around a month.
    The Ferrari charger I have but when plugged in to power two lights amber and green light up wether it's plugged into the car or not so as of yet I'm not trying it in the car till I know it's good to do so.
     
  10. netman

    netman Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2008
    1,905
    OC SoCal
    I would recommend going through the initialization process. Also since the wiring was cut I would look for open or shorted wires and loose grounds. Stereo amps are usually powered with some heavy gauge wiring that may be flapping around under the dash or in the trunk.
     
  11. freefly_1

    freefly_1 Rookie

    Feb 3, 2014
    10
    Spain
    I Will do the process this morning and see if there is any difference or at least have some peace of mind it's been done..
    As for the starter and everything else I'm going to look and double check I haven't missed anything..
    When the battery is charged fully it seems perfect.
     

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