F430 Air Conditioning Problem - Advice Please | FerrariChat
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F430 Air Conditioning Problem - Advice Please

Discussion in '360/430' started by zalbahadurji, Jul 6, 2007.

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  1. zalbahadurji

    zalbahadurji Karting

    Dec 6, 2006
    64
    Boston/Dubai/Mumbai
    #1 zalbahadurji, Jul 6, 2007
    Hi guys,
    just to give you a little background, its a 2007 spider F1, which we bought back in january. since then, the car has been in the dealer 7 times, four of which have been for the A/C, the other three for other reasons.

    the A/C has been a problem for the last few months. what used to happen was it would completely turn off five minutes into the drive, and maybe 20 minutes later, it would come back on temporarily before shutting off again.

    after a dealer visit, they said it was an ECU problem, although they weren't being very clear, but they apparently fixed it. when our office asked for a service report, they replied saying they only give service reports for scheduled services (as in services based on milage/time). then when we insisted, it turned out they just observed the car and did some tests, and didn't actually fix/change anything.

    after the visit, the problem recurred, and it was sent in again. they delivered it a few days later saying they fixed the ECU thing.

    when it still wasn't fixed, on another visit, they said they replaced the ECU, and it should work

    now, it still continues to shut off and on occasionally when on full blast. although only for a few seconds. they can't seem to find a problem on the SD3, and now refuse to believe what's happening is a problem. i saw another thread on the HVAC unit having problems, but that was for the 348. could this be a similar problem with the 430?

    we have a feeling the blower is the problem because even when the A/C was off, the blower was behaving erratically.

    another problem we have, which could be unrelated, was a vibration is was feeling while driving. nobody else noticed it, and when i took it into the dealer, someone drove it and said it was normal. i was sure it wasn't but didn't want to argue. i turned off the car, and forgot something so i turned the key (without start button) and i could feel the vibrations again. the engine was off but the key was fully turned.

    my question is whether this turning off and on, while on full blast is normal, and if it isn't what should we do about it since the dealer cannot find a problem with it.

    my father wants to contact Ferrari Italy since the dealer isn't being too helpful. any idea who we should contact, and if that will help? the dealer said we should go to the owners site and log a complaint, but i cant find where to do that.

    thanks for your help
     
  2. jir591

    jir591 Karting

    Aug 17, 2005
    237
    Weston, Florida
    #2 jir591, Jul 6, 2007
    I believe you could claim this issue under the lemon law and give them the car back. This only applies if you are in the U.S.
     
  3. Philip in AL

    Philip in AL Formula Junior

    Dec 16, 2004
    338
    Birmingham, AL
    #3 Philip in AL, Jul 6, 2007
    Having the same AC problem on my 06.
     
  4. PATRIEK

    PATRIEK Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2004
    450
    Full Name:
    Patriek
    #4 PATRIEK, Jul 7, 2007
    I had exactly the same problem, but (after 3 times) they fixed it.
    But I don't know anymore what they have done to fix it,
    I will ask if I see the mechanic
     
  5. zalbahadurji

    zalbahadurji Karting

    Dec 6, 2006
    64
    Boston/Dubai/Mumbai
    #5 zalbahadurji, Jul 8, 2007
    yes i know. however the car is in the U.A.E.
    thanks
     
  6. zalbahadurji

    zalbahadurji Karting

    Dec 6, 2006
    64
    Boston/Dubai/Mumbai
    #6 zalbahadurji, Jul 8, 2007
    yes i know. however the car is in the U.A.E.
    thanks
     
  7. zalbahadurji

    zalbahadurji Karting

    Dec 6, 2006
    64
    Boston/Dubai/Mumbai
    #7 zalbahadurji, Jul 8, 2007
    are u close to a solution? what are u planning on doing about it? we really don't know wat to do anymore. no lemon law in the UAE
     
  8. Philip in AL

    Philip in AL Formula Junior

    Dec 16, 2004
    338
    Birmingham, AL
    #8 Philip in AL, Jul 8, 2007
    I have not taken it to the dealer yet. I remember another thread in this section that discussed this as a common problem. Anyone remember it?
     
  9. hardsports

    hardsports Karting

    Jul 2, 2004
    140
    St. Louis
    Full Name:
    Brett
    #9 hardsports, Jul 9, 2007
    My 06 430 Does weird blower things too. The system starts normally but within 20 minutes or so the blower starts surging. The Ac compressor clicks on and off too. When you select the OFF switch then 140 degree air blows out of the vents.

    I keep mine set to 68 degrees with all switches set to AUT and it just surges. When you fiddle with the knobs and set it to high fan speed, then it surges on high speed on and off.

    Its been to the dealer twice and we are still chasing the problem.

    If anyone determines what the issue is please post fo us please.

    It's 95 today and I can't drive ....
     
  10. hardsports

    hardsports Karting

    Jul 2, 2004
    140
    St. Louis
    Full Name:
    Brett
    #10 hardsports, Jul 10, 2007
    Another key element to the blower problems is the engine does not need to be running for the blower to surge.....?????
     
  11. AlgaeHater

    AlgaeHater Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2004
    321
    Bellevue, WA
    #11 AlgaeHater, Jul 11, 2007
    My 2000 360 does the exact same thing. The AC seems to work fine, but the fan works intermittently. Does anyone know what's causing this?
     
  12. AlgaeHater

    AlgaeHater Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2004
    321
    Bellevue, WA
    #12 AlgaeHater, Aug 6, 2007
    Does anyone have any updates on this before I send the car in for diagnosis? It's getting hard to drive in 80+ weather :(
     
  13. KPetersen

    KPetersen Rookie

    Jun 14, 2007
    26
    Pompano Beach
    #13 KPetersen, Aug 6, 2007
    I was told by my dealer not to use the pre-set temperature on auto, but rather to always manually set the fan speed and temperature setting. He explained that the auto setting has a tendency to surge from high fan speed to low, and that it has never really been sorted out by the factory. Taking his advise, only once has the fan shut off -- and then only for a couple of minutes; otherwise, the a/c has worked well in the Florida summer heat.
     
  14. ag512bbi

    ag512bbi F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 8, 2003
    7,682
    So. Cal
    Full Name:
    Armen
    #14 ag512bbi, Aug 6, 2007
    Mine went in the shop for the Air today. I'll get it back on Friday, so... we'll see. i'll let you know
     
  15. zalbahadurji

    zalbahadurji Karting

    Dec 6, 2006
    64
    Boston/Dubai/Mumbai
    #15 zalbahadurji, Aug 7, 2007
    i was told the same thing.
    seems to be working fine right now. this is wat they did on the last service. taken from the email they sent us.
    "Just to clarify the replacement of the resistors for the blower fan assembly which have the regulatory function and was only replaced to clear any doubt of it's operation"
    haven't experienced the problem last time after the service. drove it for around 4 days.
     
  16. adam

    adam Rookie

    Jun 3, 2006
    20
    #16 adam, Aug 7, 2007
    I have exactly the same problem with my '06. Going into dealer in the next couple of weeks.
     
  17. anna

    anna Guest

    Oct 10, 2006
    61
    #17 anna, Aug 7, 2007
    Yeah..had the same problem. Sold the car.
     
  18. Ferrari_Michael

    Ferrari_Michael Formula Junior

    Nov 30, 2006
    614
    #18 Ferrari_Michael, Aug 7, 2007
    I had the EXACT same problem on my 06' they changed the heater controls (the 3 knobs inder the radio), this is the computer for the AC, first time it went in, fixed it. Ask them to do this.
     
  19. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
    32,118
    Full Name:
    Jim Glickenhaus
    #19 Napolis, Aug 7, 2007
    Two thoughts. Try a full reboot exactly as in owners manual which begins with battery kill switch to off.

    Also make sure charging circuit is working properly. If ecu senses low voltage it will shut down AC and other things to keep ECU's from frying from low voltage condition. This can be a defective alternator or voltage sensor. This was the fix that worked (voltage sensor) in my Maser which is likely the same system.

    Also make sure that your battery is fully charged. If you don't use the car regularly use a trickle charger between use.

    Best
     

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