360 modena "suspension" indicator light

I am having the exact same problem. My mechanic says that I have to bring the car in with the light still on for a proper diagnosis.

 

If you are talking about the little warning indicator, I'm told by the dealer this is a "somewhat common thing" in 360s. I had this and ended up having 2 faulty actuator sensors (usually the culprit as I'm told).

 

First step would be to remove and inspect each of the four actuators. Clean the electrical connector, and then re-seat and install them. Often times this can clear up an intermittent light. Otherwise, you may need to replace one of the actuators, or the plastic gear on the top of the shock.

 

360's do not have actuators

 

Good save! Welcome back Brian!

 

He has not related to me any symptoms and he pays attention so I think not. In his case it is very periodic and is not leaving a fault in memory.

Rather than go on a Witch hunt we have elected to wait and see for the time being.

 

The last two times this has happened to me, it was when the suspension was under a heavy load. One time I launched from a very slow speed, the other time it was at the end of a fast, sweeping turn.

 

Mine would come on periodically. We hooked it up to an sd2 and found that the rear vertical acceleration sensor was bad.

 

Mine held a code even with no light.

 

Brian,

What do they have? Isn't there a mechanism (electronic or otherwise) associated with the suspension on these cars?

Dave

 

The red Bilstein actuator which many of us are all too familiar with and has been in use since the Mondial t is gone, (Praise the Lord). The Boge shocks on the 360 do whatever they do internally and do it quite well and reliably. The good news for 360 owners is that we really don't know too much about it because we haven't been fixing them regularly since 99 like we had to do with the prior system.
Where the Bilstein had a seperate external component attached to it (the actuator) the 360 shock looks like a rather conventional shock with a wire hanging out. A good view of it is available on Ricambi's web site if you look in the online parts manual.

I suspect its actual operation is not unlike the Bilstein but is achieved internally. I have a 360 in for regular service with about 125k miles and have never touched a shock on it.

 

Mine is coming on as well. It happened right after I filled her up at the gas station, so I figure it's extra weight from the full gas tank that set off the sensor, so it's gotta be the sensor.
Once the tank was below 1/4 tank, it has never come back on. It has also come on when more than 1/4 tank and also hitting a bump or after a spirited shift...
Maybe there's a sensor setting that can be changed internally with SD2/3? And mine is just over sensitive?

I think I am just going to wait and let it come on till I take it in to the dealer for another service.
Hunter

 

Mista spaaaaakle?! Are you banishing dirt to the land of wind and ghosts?

 

That explains it fish bulb!

 

The Suspension system on a 360 has one ECU, three accelerations sensors and four actuators located inside the shocks. Thought the system is pretty reliable is not adjustable for sensitivity. Unfotunatly, more often than not, when acting up it will do it with "sporadic" faults. In the case that one of the acceleration sensors fails the SD2 will tell which one, But as for the internal valves are concerned ....no. It wont say which one is bad, it just sees a problem with one. Besides cleaning connections, it usually requires a shock replecement to get rid off the light....

 

Thanks Giuseppe. That helps a lot. So, if I get my local dealer to put the SD2 on it, then he can determine if just one of the sensors needs to be replaced or not.
If that does NOT show a fault then an interval valve could be bad, and that is a shock replacement. Correct?

Some others here have said that when this suspension light comes on, their suspension goes 'hard'. This is NOT the case with mine and it drives normally when the suspension light is on.
If the suspension goes 'hard' does that indicate more of a valve problem or doesn't have anything to do with it?

Thanks.
Hunter

 

No problem Hunter. The ECU monitors the three acceleration sensors and it does monitor the valves for the shocks, it just doesn'r distinguish which ones. So in case of a faulty valve you usually replaced shocks in pairs( that even depends from mileage). It can Happen sometimes that when the valve fails it goes into Sport mode, thats why it feels "hard".

 

ok. got it. I hardly ever drive mine in regular mode,(as one friend commented to me..."You mean you have to actually PUT it in SPORT mode...I mean, it's a Ferrari, right, isn't that kinda redundant?" to which I got a great laugh) so sounds like I wouldn't notice the difference anyhow. Thanks very much for your help. It's great to have you contributing to the forum. I hope you will find time to continue to post!
Thanks again.
Hunter

 

is there a way to tell where my fault is without tracking down and using a SD2?
I have a handful of OBD2 readers and a ThinkDiag+
Sounds like it will get really expensive if I start replacing sensors without knowing where to begin.... Because I guarantee it'll be the last one I try.
Also, would anyone happen to know or all the accelerometers are?

 

Well, yeah but probably not a cheap off the shelf unit. AutoEnginuity will read most Ferrari ECU's so maybe the Thinkdiag will...but I will say the rear vertical acceleration sensor is usually the one to go if you feel like shotgunning. Extremely easy to get to under the passenger side engine cover. 10 minute replacement.

 

My covers are off, so easier would be better
Any idea what the sensor looks like? I keep googling.
P.S. seeing how intrusive the stability management system has been while I'm driving the car, it sounds like that might be the right sensor. If I'm reading the description right.

 

So are mine…Right there on the frame rail behind the catalyst ECU

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Awesome, thank you! I'm on it.