Need a bit of help. What is the next most likely reason for 1-4 slow light? | FerrariChat
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Need a bit of help. What is the next most likely reason for 1-4 slow light?

Discussion in '348/355' started by jm3, May 13, 2008.

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  1. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 3, 2002
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    #1 jm3, May 13, 2008
    Finally! 58 F and time to drive the 1995 F355 to work! Car fired up perfect this morning. I did notice it smelled hot, right away, but started down the driveway. So far so good. Started running crappy, and I knew one bank had shut down. Turned around and went home, and the 1-4 light came on soon after. Then It started running on about 10 hp. Drove home the next 1/4 mile, pulled in the garage.

    Well, I'm gonna be late for work anyway now, so I cleaned the afm and afm terminals, gave it a quick start, but it fired right up on 4 cylinders still.

    Next? The relays under the passenger footwell?

    I'm gonna pull codes, but this is pretty sudden. Never skipped a beat in 5000 miles


    Thanks in advance, Jay
     
  2. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Sep 11, 2004
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    #2 285ferrari, May 13, 2008
    Define smelled hot? A burning smell?
     
  3. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #3 jm3, May 13, 2008
    It smelled like it was warmed up, even though it was a cold start. Kinda weird that I noticed it, which I never had before, so I thought I'd mention it.

    It definitely did NOT smell as though I let the smoke out of the wires.


    Jay
     
  4. Saint Bastage

    Saint Bastage F1 Rookie

    Jun 1, 2007
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    #4 Saint Bastage, May 13, 2008
    Not to worry or panic. 1 - 4 slow down light in this senario is usuallly an indicator of a bad cat ecu. Probably got some moisture on it or some other sort of bad connection. Did you wash it the car? That's the most popular source for this problem. Check the conections, let it dry (if wetted) and try again. If it still doesn't want to play worst case is a bad ecu (about $350 last I knew). Don't go buying one until you can prove its bad and can't be fixed. Left and right ECU's are identical. if you swap them side for side and then get a slow down 5-8 light you will know its the ecu. Now you have to figure out whats wrong.

    If moisture got in the ecu case, your going to have to dry it. I simply drove mine. The heat finally dried it out. I don't recommend stupidity like mine. While driving at (10hp) won't hurt the car, there has to be a better (more time consuming) way. Anybody out there ever try a toaster oven at 150 degrees for an hour?

    Once you get it dry and prove it works, seal it up with some high temp silicone caulk.

    If you can't get the thing to work properly after drying and checking the connections, probably gonna have to replace it. Daniel can help you with that
     
  5. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #5 jm3, May 13, 2008
    So the cat ecu turns off the computer? I guess I will swap them and see what happens. I haven't washed the car for 2 weeks, so thats not it.

    Good luck to me
     
  6. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #6 jm3, May 14, 2008
    UPDATE

    Before I left for work, after I couldnt get the car to start, I disconnected the battery.

    After I got home, connected battery, car fired right up and ran perfect. And then I took the car for a quick test drive, came home and took the wife out to dinner, driving back roads, listening to romantic Kid Rock songs.

    This is exactly why I bought the car, and it performed flawlessly for me last night.
     
  7. AronAZ

    AronAZ Karting

    Jul 13, 2004
    227
    Tucson, AZ
    #7 AronAZ, May 14, 2008
    Ah, yes. The joys of Italian car ownership. Reminds me of my first affair with an Alfa. I know in my gut my German cars are better mates. Alas as you've documented, my vehicular nymphomanic supermodel addicted to heroin and crack keeps me trapped in her roller coaster of emotion too.

    Here's to enjoying every corner & rev until the next episode....
     
  8. RRRREDRVR

    RRRREDRVR Karting

    Jul 28, 2004
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    #8 RRRREDRVR, May 16, 2008
    Had the same thing happen to me, and turned out to be bad wires (shorting to the head where they pass through the small hole on the end). From lots of heat cycling these wires break down. Cheaper fix than a valve job! Check this first.
     

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