348 Spyder and red Stop Lights | FerrariChat

348 Spyder and red Stop Lights

Discussion in '348/355' started by FerMaz, Mar 18, 2015.

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  1. FerMaz

    FerMaz Formula Junior

    Feb 11, 2007
    355
    So Cal
    Full Name:
    Mel
    I have A 1994 348 Spyder. I thought that when the key was just turned on but before the car was started and all the lights came on that I had red stop engine lights. I got the car back from a major service and I noticed that when I turn the key on but before I actually start the car I have yellow check engine lights but do not have any red stop engine lights. I thought that I had these on the car. Can someone who has the same type of car that I do please check your car for me and let me know if you have red stop engine lights on the car when you turn the key on. This is when all of the lights come on before the car is started.

    If you have the red stop engine lights than mine are either burned out or there is a problem with a wire connection.

    I would really appreciate your help.

    Thanks

    Mel
     
  2. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,617
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    Check the bulb. Make sure it isn't burned out or that it hasn't been removed.
     
  3. whyte

    whyte Formula Junior

    Apr 25, 2006
    409
    Merritt Island, FL
    Full Name:
    John C
    You mean the slow down lights that are on the vertical edge of the panel? They are driven by the cat ECUs, and will not light if they are disconnected. Check these, specifically connections to the ECUs themselves. Odd that both would go out, though. Did you major include a new exhaust without cats?

    Or like Ernie said, bulbs.
     
  4. zman

    zman Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2006
    356
    Toronto, Ontario
    picture would help
     
  5. zman

    zman Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2006
    356
    Toronto, Ontario
    If slow down lights come on and you ignore them the manual says it will shut engine down. Is that correct
     
  6. RaginBull

    RaginBull Formula Junior

    Oct 24, 2006
    996
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Darryl
    My SDL 1-4 turns on intermittently, it corrects itself. The harder I drive my the less the light turns on.
     
  7. FerMaz

    FerMaz Formula Junior

    Feb 11, 2007
    355
    So Cal
    Full Name:
    Mel
    I guess I didnt express myself well.

    My yellow slow down lights come on when I turn the key on. the slow down lights are on the right side of the dash when you face the dash. Are there red lights on the left side as well as yellow lights on the right.

    Thanks

    Mel
     
  8. whyte

    whyte Formula Junior

    Apr 25, 2006
    409
    Merritt Island, FL
    Full Name:
    John C
    #8 whyte, Mar 19, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm confused by your location, name, and color of the lights. Slow Down are typically red, and CEL are Yellow, at least in all the cars I've seen. Let's see if we can clear this up:

    Lights 1 and 17 in the diagram are your Slow Down lights. These are connected to the catalytic converter ECUs on both sides of your engine. They will light momentarily when they key is turned on, and will light if they determine that a cat is reaching a high temperature.

    There is also a second, higher threshold at which point the cat ecu(s) will send a signal to your main ECU that will shut down the bank. I *BELIEVE* that the light will flash when this occurs, but I may be remembering incorrectly.

    So yes, they can shut down a bank. They are also notoriously prone to failure. Failure often manifests as lights coming on when cat temps are normal, and based on anecdotal stories, the cat ecu sending the "shut down" signal to the main ECU with or without the light lit, and without sensing a high temperature.

    These are critical safety devices if you have cats installed, as cats with aging elements can clog and get hot enough to start an engine fire at worst, and damage your engine at best. You can get cat ECU replacements, or you can repair your existing ones. Fchat has info on both approaches if you search. Ignoring this issue is not recommended.

    If you don't have cats, you can safely remove these by simply unplugging both ends of the cat ecu and sealing them temporarily (to prevent corrosion in the connector). Please don't cut the lines or permanently remove them so that any future owners who may require cats for their state can easily restore the system if needed.

    Both of these lights are red, at least on every car I've seen.

    The Check Engine Lights are 5 and 12 in the diagram, and they are yellow. These should also illuminate when you turn the key on.

    Missing bulbs, or removed bulbs for any of the lights mentioned above, has been reported. Lights may be removed to hide an issue by a previous owner or seller, so if you don't see these lights, make sure to replace them.

    A 348 will often appear to be fine and show no obvious signs of a problem if a CEL is lit. However, a properly running car will not light the CEL, and if you are seeing one lit, you have a problem and ignoring it will often lead to bigger ones. Don't ignore it.

    Very possible that some cars had alternate colors, so hopefully others will chime in if that's the case.

    Hope that helps!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  9. FerMaz

    FerMaz Formula Junior

    Feb 11, 2007
    355
    So Cal
    Full Name:
    Mel
    Thanks so much for your help. My lights go on when I turn on the key but when the engine starts they go off, so I guess I am ok.

    Mel
     
  10. GTO Joe

    GTO Joe Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 15, 2013
    1,002
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Joseph Troutwine
    Interesting addition to the above. The CEL lights are in the pod for 1989 models but not used as per the owners manual. I removed my pod to check to see of bulbs were there and they were but never come on when you turn the key to the first position before starting so the manual is correct.
     
  11. whyte

    whyte Formula Junior

    Apr 25, 2006
    409
    Merritt Island, FL
    Full Name:
    John C
    Just a guess, but it is likely due to the different ECUs. 89 uses the 2.5 Motronics, while later used the 2.7s.
     

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