F1 has mind of its own

I have a new to me 2006 F430. Intermittently the F1 light comes on then it switches to auto mode by itself. Thoughts? Thanks for your time!!

 

When you start it up in Neutral, it will default to auto mode. Once you select 1st and drive off it will be in auto- if you want to use manual you need to press the console button and the auto indication under the gear number will go out.
Are you getting something different.

 

I am getting something a little different. Maybe I’m not doing it correctly, but I typically start it in neutral, then select first gear and it seems to already be in manual mode. Drove this way for roughly 20 minutes, then the F1 light would beep, then the auto light came on and started sifting on its own.

 

It will start up in neutral and auto mode- you select 1st gear to move off and if you keep your hands off the F1 gear levers it will change up and down by itself. If you want to use the levers you need to select manual by pressing the button, then use the levers.
If you do not press the button but use the levers, you are over riding the auto select system and this might be why you are getting a bleep. The gearbox will let you use the levers as manual but if you have auto selected you are confusing the system. Decide to use one or the other and see if that cures things

 

I start the car in neutral, back out of the garage then select 1st. I never select auto. Haven’t changed anything and this past week it’s been perfect. Go figure ‍♂️

 

They are female and just want to make sure you pay them attention.

 

Haha! Yep

 

When you select first, it will be in auto by default, it will run in auto mode until you change it to manual using the button on the central consol

 

So this F1 transmission thing is happening more often. It is basically shifting from manual to automatic and back again with no help from me. Today I tried to put it in neutral before starting and it would not do it. I started it in 1st gear and it would beep at me and shift between auto and manual mode. Hitting the auto button did nothing. Went for a drive and it kept doing it. It settled down after five miles but came back again. Let me know your thoughts and if I should bring it in. Is there a relay or something electrical that might be intermittently failing? ‍♂️

 

What area are you in

 

Your auto mode switch is probably faulty. Have the car scanned first..but I'll bet that is your issue.

 

I have one for sale in the classifieds if needed.

 

It’s in the shop now. They’re thinking it may be the TCU but not totally convinced yet.

 

Just a follow up. The issue was a bad paddle assembly on the downshift side. Go figure!

 

Interesting

 

Please to not be so violent on the downshift paddle, it will not make it shift like the Scuderia

 

When I was new to my 2006 F430 years back, it was automatically shifting when I was using the paddle and it confused me. Turned out I had hit the Auto button at some point such that the car was automatic. Don't believe you have the same issue but thought I would share. Also I have found the F1 system to be very reliable.

 

It is very reliable. It's the inexperienced techs who are working on them that are causing most of the unneeded expensive repairs.