My positive cable is not tight on the battery post.. I need to remove the cable from the battery to adjust the clearance of the connector. With all I've read, I'm scared to disconnect the battery. I have the pin number, not sure about radio codes. I have a Sony radio which I read doesn't use codes. My extra key ring has 2 aluminum tags with the number "k2785". Not sure what that's for. I'm also curious about what happens if you "turn off" the battery with the knob near the battery ? Anyway, can someone point me in the safe direction. Thanks
If you don't have the factory radio you should be able to turn off and reconnect as described in the owners manual without problem or need for any codes (apart from whatever the Sony may need)
John, the knob next to the battery disconnects negative from ground, cutting the power completely. The tag attached to your key is not the alarm's PIN, but you won't need the PIN after disconnecting the battery, as it is hard coded into the ECU's permanent memory. The SONY radio will reset, but you won't have to re-enter the code. When you start the car after re-connecting power, let the engine idle 10 minutes to enable the ECU's self learning process to complete. Stefano
The aluminum tags are the key codes if you want to reproduce the keys. The rubber key blanks with the little Cavallino are just about impossible to find, but there are low cost replacements. There is no problem with turning off the power to the battery and reconnecting using the disconnect switch. The system just has to go through a self-learn procedure afterwards. The latest self learning procedure for Motronic 7.1.1 cars is to turn off all accessories (air-conditioning, radio, etc), start the car and let it idle for 10 minutes. After that, the Motronics and other ECUs should be back to normal and you can turn on the accessories and drive normally. Taz Terry Phillips
The manual for my 1995 456 says to do this also; thus far I have followed the recommendation. I am just wondering though ... what happens when you DON'T do this? Any war stories out there from those who dared stray from The Book?
Sure, I have done it. For one thing you could not pass a smog check until everything reset itself. In my case the A/C would not come on without several recycles, but the car ran fine. Brian Crall says after a couple of drives, everything is back to normal, and that is what mine did. Here is the 360 (DME 7.3) and 575 (DME 7.1.1) drive cycle procedure Ferrari published initially before the F430 (DME 7.1.1) 10 minute idle procedure superceded it. At least it did for the 575 with the same Digital Motronic ECU and I assume it would work for the 7.3 DME as well. The FNA bulletin, complete with omissions and typos, is shown and also another FChatter's explanation of the missing parts, how to do it, and what happens is attached, too. Personally, 10 minutes of idling is much preferred for obvious reasons. If there are any purists out there, have at it. Taz Terry Phillips Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
John, If your radio looks like this then it doesn't have a code. You'll just have to reset all the channels and time when you turn the battery kill switch back on... Image Unavailable, Please Login
You're welcome. Good radio/cassette. Lousy CD changer. My CDs skip each time I hit a seam on the highway.
Would this procedure apply to the 550 as well? My car is in storage since last November (Chicago you know) and I disconnected the battery using the switch. This has been my standard procedure for storing cars for long durations (6 months) over the last twenty years. I did turn the battery switch off for a week last September while on vacation to see if any problems would come up using this procedure for winter storage. None were noted, car ran as usual.
Robert- I have not seen a run-cycle test for the 550, which is Motronic 5.2, but if the 10 minutes works for late 456Ms, it will work for the 550. Go to this web site and download a 550 workshop manual and see if it is there. Cannot hurt to do it, regardless. http://www.ferraridatabase.com/The_Downloads/Downloads.htm Taz Terry Phillips
Thanks Terry. Page L48 Volume 2, let car idle for 10 minutes at normal water temperature with everything switched off.
Robert- Guess the reason I had not seen it is I had not looked, so we both learned something. At least now you have a WSM and the price was right. That thing will put you to sleep at night. Ben Deetman owns that site, and I just sent him the 456 and 456M WSMs so I could stop mailing DVDs. What I meant to say above was late 456s and 456Ms have Motronic 5.2 ECUs, just like the 550. Taz Terry Phillips
Sark- Try again. Ben recommends a download manager, although I did not need one and it worked fine for me. Taz Terry Phillips
Dave, Sark- My mistake, then. Maybe I bought mine. Will ask Ben if he needs another copy of Volume 1. Let me know if either of you needs it soon and I can send you a CD or DVD. Taz Terry Phillips
Dave- Have never seen a section M for the 550. My 575M WSM has one as does the 360, F430 and 612 WSMs. The earlier cars' WSMs without photos do not seem to have them, or they were a separate item I have never seen for sale. Taz Terry Phillips
Terry, section M is bodywork and N for service maint. If you wish I can make a copy and mail to you. Sark
i would replace your stock with a braille auto ..ultra light weigh lit. battery .. http://www.braillebattery.com/ ian
Ian- A lot of those lightweight batteries are very expensive. Personally for a Maranello or 456M, if I were going to buy something other than the Interstate MTP-91, currently in my car, I would go for an Odyssey 34R-PC1500. This battery is actually heavier, but nearly indestructible, and able to be deep discharged and recharged dozens of times with no ill effects. Weight does not make much difference on a 3800 lb car. Here are Braille's recommendations for Ferrari batteries, and I understand some Ferrari dealers are now using them as replacements for the FIAMM and Interstate batteries. Taz Terry Phillips Image Unavailable, Please Login
^ sure are right about the price of the lito type batterys .... i have lit. in my race car that was 900$ and its about as big as a poptart box but works awsome !!!! Ian
