550 Flasher lamps / Fuel inertia switch failure

HI

Same thing happend here two month ago.
Indicators flashing is apparently a sure sign of the inertia switch going bad.

Good news : it`s about the only cheap fix in a ferrari !

T

 

Seen it before. 4 way flashers on for no known reason. High resistance at inertia switch. No other indication of any kind, just could not turn off flashers. They were working great but no warning lights.

 

This exact same problem happened to me today on my way back from Pocono raceway. It was a really damp day, pouring rain with fog all day. I parked at the track, returned to my car an hour later, and on my way out the 4-way flashers and the inertia shutoff indicator symbol came on (gas pump with a slash through it). At first I thought that I accidentally pressed the 4-way button on the center console, but it was non-functional. I was able to get home OK, about a 2-hour drive, flashers on the whole time, but ended up turning the battery disconnect knob to cut the power to the 4-ways once I got to my garage. I'm relieved to see this problem is not unique to my 550 and is a relatively cheap fix.

Thanks guys, your postings made my day!

Gotta love that search function.......

 

My flashers went on and would not go off.
I spoke to Mr. Crall, what a nice guy, and he suggested whacking the inertia switch. Just like whacking a Lucas starter on an MGB.
Then resetting it with the button on the top. I did and the flashers continued.Brian also said try disconnecting the switch, and reconnecting it, and if it worked great. well I did and it did not so I took off the rubber cover and looked inside.... Yesterday I washed the car. Today there was water in the switch, a small hole in the top of the rubber cover. An hour in the 100 degree sun and reinstall and all is well.
Thank you Brian.
Winston, Nigel and Don
I guess the car has seen too much inertia. We must drive it more.

 

Exactly where is the inertia switch located in the 550? I'd like to check out that rubber cover on mine before I have a problem.
Thanks for a reply, Jim Converse

 

Directly below the right side hood hinge.

 

Same problem here... thank you guys for helping me out on this one. will have it fixed tomorrow!

Regards

 

Who says the Search function does not work? Five year old thread saves the day.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

My left hand side parking light stayed on and I could not turn it off. Solved the problem by turning it off and on the battery switch to let the ECU do the trick. I guess ferrari knowes what that switch is for.

Sark

 

+1! Bravo!

 

I have the same problem with my 550 !

 

is the only common to the 550, or also the 456?

 

Crud, looked at this thread and thought Phil was back. Not.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

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Just got my 550 back after 3 months in the shop waiting on parts. Replaced the clutch and power steering pipe that was leaking. Drove it 100 miles home no problems and parked it. 36 hours later, tried to start it and it is running on 6 cyls and won't idle. Any chance this inertia switch is the issue. No codes shown while starting.

 

Can't hurt to try. Do not think it is your problem though.

 

I have now taken the steps suggested above and nothing changed. Engine is running on presumably one bank...not limp mode, I don't think, because it won't idle and has very little power. Have cycled the ECU on and off twice for an hour at the battery switch with no change, where I only tried to start to allow idle. 97' model...seems to have more electronic gremlins than I would have ever guessed. 3 O2 sensors, an engine ECU, one suspension ECU, etc. in 5,000 miles of ownership.

 

O2 sensors just go bad with age. Nothing too surprising about that. The other list does surprise me and I can never help but wonder if cars are being diagnosed by just throwing parts at them. It is very common. Since they started using the Bilstien suspension in the late 80's I think I have replaced 2 ecus working on them all day every day. Motronic ECUs needing replacement are even less common.

I'd be looking for a new shop.

 

Perhaps. Any suggestions for Texas shops?

 

Go see Brian ("Rifledriver")....just stopped at his shop yesterday in Austin. He is a straight shooter and knows Ferraris.

 

The same switch is installed in some Alfas like the 156, 166 and in the Fiat Cinquecento from the 90's also.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Fiat_Cinquecento_rear_20081127.jpg/1920px-Fiat_Cinquecento_rear_20081127.jpg

Daniel

 

Thx for this info- just had same thing happen fixed in 5 mins - the switch had some sort of reset button u just push down on and voila - problem solved

 

Or if the switch is faulty, you can jumper the inertia switch...

 

Have just had the same issue after car sat outside in the rain. Car seems to run fine but indicators flashing and the inertia warning is on. Presumably it’s fine to drive it 20 mins to the workshop ?