Mondial 3.2 engine cooler warning light | FerrariChat
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Mondial 3.2 engine cooler warning light

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by djs308, Dec 16, 2013.

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  1. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    Sep 2, 2002
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    David S.
    #1 djs308, Dec 16, 2013
    Just got the car yesterday. It's in great shape and runs well.

    This evening, I started it up and got a red warning light for the engine cooler item in the center console. Context: it's in the mid twenties here in New York. Car wasn't run all day until this evening. No coolant or any liquid has leaked. Engine fired up no problem. Just the warning light.

    Is this a normal consequence of the air temp being super cold? Will that warning light go out when it warms up? Or is it really low on fluid? Or something else. This is all new stuff to me.

    Any advice? Thanks!
     
  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
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    Jimmie
    #2 greyboxer, Dec 17, 2013
    High chance its just Italian electrics - turn it off & try again - it'll probably not re-appear - logically it cannot be too hot before its barely started

    No doubt others will have more scarey and/or plausible ideas
     
  3. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
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    Nov 11, 2003
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    Brian Brown
    #3 Motob, Dec 17, 2013
    Are you sure that it isn't the "Slow Down" light? This is controlled by an ECU that monitors the temperature of the catalytic converter using a thermocouple. The ECU's go bad all the time causing the light to come on even when the catalyst is cold.
     
  4. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 Wade, Dec 17, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Are you referring to the light on the Check Control Panel? If so, that's a low level indicator for the coolant. Do you have a copy of the owner's manual?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  5. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    #5 djs308, Dec 17, 2013
    Thanks for the suggestions. Yes I do have the manual. Not the slow down light. It is item number one on the posted image of the panel.

    Latest Update.

    I checked the tank this morning. It definitely looked low in there!

    After checking with the PO, he mentioned that a coolant pipe was temporarily removed to change out the ac compressor. That was done just prior to delivery. So that seems logical why it might be low

    Since I have to bring it the shop for it's required inspection, I'll have them fill up the coolant.
     
  6. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    #6 djs308, Dec 19, 2013
    UPDATE:

    Last evening I went out to check on the car. I had no plans to start it, as it was really late and didn't want to wake the neighbors. That and it's still freezing with ice on the roads.

    So I did a quick visual inspection in and around. When I looked underneath, lo and behold, there was evidence of a leak. It appears to have been from the front near the radiator but closer to where the spare wheel is housed. I could not see any wetness or actual dripping taking place. It must have occurred when I had it running two days before.

    Clearly, I need to have it on a lift to get it checked out for a leak or loose fitting somewhere near the radiator. Probably will get it to the shop tomorrow as we are expected to have a brief thaw here in NY.

    In the meantime, is this kind of leak easy to diagnose and fix?
     
  7. Radicalrobbie

    Radicalrobbie Rookie

    Nov 7, 2013
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    Rob Mackay
    #7 Radicalrobbie, Dec 19, 2013
    It could be just a hose clamp, in the cold they can shrink and cause a leak or i have even seen the clamps loose. The cooling system should be pressure tested and every clamp and fitting checked.
     
  8. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    David S.
    #8 djs308, Dec 19, 2013
    Makes a lot of sense. Will discuss it at the shop and have them check it all out. Thanks.
     

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