Ta dah! This truly has been a trail of unbelievable proportions! Anyway, I spoke with a local Ferrari guru and apparently he was familiar with the problem I was having. It turns out that on some later model 355's (98 and 99), there is a connector that Ferrari did not connect! That is the problem although its also possible that the ground wire on pin 4 would help as well (I tried both and haven't removed the pin 4 ground). In any case, here is the 5 minute solution: Behind the passenger seat is a panel which has 2 screws. Remove the panel and you will see the ECU. There is a wire with a cap on it - just sitting there not connected to anything. Apparently, Ferrari chose to not connect this wire on some cars to the male counterpart. It took me a little while of searching because it wasn't obvious but the male counterpart wire (also capped) was hidden with the wire itself extending down from the myriad of other wires into the bottom of the panel area. Once I pulled it out, pulled its cap off and connected the 2, I tried the OBDII connector (again with the car running) and it worked! This truly is unbelievable. At least we have the solution. So, for any other CA owners (or owners in other parts of the country who want to use a scan tool), please try it. Scott
Scott- I really appreciate all of the info you and the others have posted about this stupid "Check Engine" light problem that can't easily be scanned by any normal scanner. I will try to get my mechanic to look behind passager seat / ECU but mine 355 is a mid-97 so it probably is not same issue. I saw someone bought a Innova Checker and that cleared the error- but I'm having problems finding that too- is it only in Europe? Now I've heard a couple people say it's a bad batch of gasoline- I can see that as I had just filled up. But DAMN, let me clear the stupid error code w/o erasing the entire ECU. PLEASE, anyone with onther ideas? My car is running the best it ever has, I just hate seeing "Check Engine" right in my face. I love everything Italian, but the f-car designers have a funny way of getting the job done sometimes (i.e.- a "Slow Down" light that basically means your car is about to burst into flames - maybe a "Pull Over Now" would make a little more sense). Any more ideas will really be appreciated... Thanks in advance!
I hope you received an answer to this. The inexpensive code reader is available in the US. Do a google search on Innova 3100 OBDII code reader, maybe made by Equus. I got mine from Midway Auto Supply for 99.95, product EQU-3100S. Anyway, go to their site and read how code readers work, they don't erase the ecu, just any error codes and it is very easy to do. Once you scan the codes, you can start trying to locate the problem. I bought the unit to clear the gas cap code on my wife's 500sl....worked great. I even cleared the code on my work van. Good luck. Jeff Pintler 89 348tb, 86TR
I saw that obd connector would run on a 355 and not on another...mine is a Motronic 2.7 from 1994. I still did not find the obd connector ... I saw on eugenio web site that with a personal computer he diagnose and clearcodes.. I asked him the answer to know what to use to do it but he did not answer.. Do you know witch software and kit will fit to my old 355 ? to erase the check engine... Nico
Hi guys - I'm new to this forum and now have a question. I just recieved my car back from Los Gatos and the next day the engine light came on. They replaced the cats, left manifold, and Bypass Valve. I have a scanner that I've used on other cars already( Auto x-ray ez link). I think the cause was a loose gas cap but I want to clear the codes and see if that is it. I see the connector next to the ECU, but usually their is an ALDL Conncetor under the dash or neatly hidden somewhere. I have a 1998 355GTS F1. Any ideas? Also, I live in Vacaville, CA between Sac and SF. Does anyone know of a local guy that is qualified to work on my car? I bought the car from Los Gatos, but am not really pleased with the treatment I have recieved from them so far. I get better treatment from the GM dealer with my wifes Escalade or my Vette. Thanks, Glenn
The OBD2 connector is underneath the dash tucked next to the steering column just to the right (sometimes hidden by part of the dash wiring harness). d
Thanks for the help. I pulled the codes and it shows one of the cats was not performing right. I erased the codes and will take it for a drive and see if it shows up again. I hear from another dealer that sometimes after changing the cats this can happen if the thermo coupler ecus are not replaced. Any comments on this?
I have a good friend in Campbell, Mark Spencer http://www.velocespeedesign.com/ Not sure if that is near you but he is a good guy and knows his stuff or Tony Palladino another good guy Modena Motors, Redwood City, Ca. 650-368-5819 Rob
I'm happy to say that so far the engine light has not returned!!! I think the O2 sensor behind thecat must have picked up some bad data or something. Time will tell. Thanks for the referals but I was hoping for someone closer. For the most part I think I'll do my own service from here out. I am currently planning my garage remodel to include custom lighting and a lift. I'm thinking a two post lift, but like the idea of the 4 post and parking two cars in one slot.
The OBD connector is missing a ground wire on pin 5. Ferrari has a service campaign to connect a wire from pin 4 (the ground) to pin 5. This should take care of the scan tool issues. Call your local dealer to see if your car is included.