355 Check Eng. 1-4 Diagnosis Needed,Very Specific Symptoms | FerrariChat
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355 Check Eng. 1-4 Diagnosis Needed,Very Specific Symptoms

Discussion in '348/355' started by 355NY, Sep 19, 2007.

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  1. 355NY

    355NY Rookie

    Aug 12, 2007
    34
    #1 355NY, Sep 19, 2007
    1995 F355, 29k miles is almost perfect except for the following problem that has gone undiagnosed by Ferrari Central N.J., chief mechanic at Miller Motor Cars, and a few others:
    Problem: Only after cruising at a constant speed for approximately 1 hour, the Check Engine 1-4 light comes on. If I stay at that constant speed, it remains on. As soon as I accelerate and decelerate, it goes off (especially hard acceleration and rapid deceleration). If I go back to a constant speed, the Check Engine 1-4 reappears. If I constantly accelerate and decelerate repeatedly, I can prevent the light from coming on.
    History: Valve guides done a few years back, major service done at Ferrari within 300 miles, ECU units changed (twice) within the past year, new cats at major service. I suppose since the Check Engine 1-4 doesn't stay on, no codes come up when it's scanned at Ferrari. Since it's intermittent, I assume it's erased when the engine is shut off. Most shops don't have the patience to run it til the code appears and scan while it's on. Strangely enough I've had this same problem for three years, even before major service, etc. and have mentioned it to all of the above mechanics. I've owned the car 3 years and enjoy and use it as much as possible. It's a joy. Everything works perfectly except for above. O2 sensor? Would really appreciate the help.
     
  2. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 ernie, Sep 19, 2007
    You may have a loose connection somewhere, or a wire that is grounding out. I would pull the codes to see what is causing your CEL to come on. That should lead you in the right direction of things to check for.

    One more thing, what year is your car? If it's a '95 (Motronic 2.7) you can pull the codes using the buttons located next to the ecu's. If it's a '96-'99 (Motronic 5.2) you will need to buy a code reader. You can find the code readers for $50-$300, depending on how many extra functions you want on it, at the local auto parts store.

    Pull the codes and let us know what you find.
     
  3. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 No Doubt, Sep 19, 2007
    Your codes aren't erased until you disconnect your battery, or disconnect your ECUs, or reset your codes via the red pushbutton on each ECU.

    Just turning off your car won't erase the codes.
     
  4. 355

    355 F1 Rookie
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    Jan 4, 2005
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    #4 355, Sep 19, 2007
    Swap the left and right O2 sensors and see if the problem moves to 5-8 bank.
     
  5. 355NY

    355NY Rookie

    Aug 12, 2007
    34
    #5 355NY, Sep 19, 2007
    Thanks guys. It's a 95. I was under the impression that intermittent codes are not stored. Only if the light remains on. Ferrari told me that's why no codes were coming up. How difficult is it to read on the 95? Much appreciate the help. I will check tonight.
     
  6. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #6 No Doubt, Sep 19, 2007
    Intermittent codes will show up if the car hasn't been turned off/on for very many times since the error (presuming that the battery hasn't been disconnected or codes deliberately cleared).
     
  7. brendon0

    brendon0 Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2003
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    #7 brendon0, Sep 20, 2007
    I have this exact same problem on my 1995 355 2.7 Motronic car.

    Mine is ALOT more random then yours. Usually at highway speeds it'll blink
    on, and simply pushing the gas and going faster will turn it off. Happens on
    both sides too.

    Mine also runs like a champ with no issues.
     
  8. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #8 f355spider, Sep 20, 2007
    Are either of you seeing this in conjunction with the "batt" (battery/alternator) light?
     
  9. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 ernie, Sep 20, 2007
    Not difficult at all. The instructions are for a 348, but you have a '95 and it has the same Motronic 2.7 as a 348. So the pulling instructions are the same. Heres the how to: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73034
     
  10. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

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    #10 davehelms, Sep 21, 2007

    Good suggestion. I would also do the same with the Motronic ECU's and while out look at the cases closely and see it the covers have been removed. There will be signs of tampering if they have.

    Dave
     
  11. 355NY

    355NY Rookie

    Aug 12, 2007
    34
    #11 355NY, Sep 26, 2007
    Guys, thanks so much. Everyone with a 95 355 or a 348 should definitely read this to learn how to read codes on these car:
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73034
    Thanks again.
    Is there a list of codes in the shop manual or has it been previously posted?
    Mike
     
  12. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #12 jm3, Sep 26, 2007
    Just a reminder: On an F355, the computers are not behind the seats.
     
  13. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #13 f355spider, Sep 26, 2007
    It is on later F355's (1996 to 1999) with 5.2 Bosch Motronic...it is behind the passenger seat on the firewall (1 each).
     
  14. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 ernie, Sep 26, 2007
    Yes & yes.

    The codes are listed in the first thread I mentioned. Here is another thread where the codes are a bit more legible http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139726

    Remember, the search button is your friend. :p
     
  15. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 ernie, Sep 26, 2007
    Thanks for the tip.

    The thread ^above^ shows the location in the '95 355s, in the rear corners of the engine bay.
     
  16. ducatidragon916

    ducatidragon916 Rookie

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    #16 ducatidragon916, Sep 27, 2010
    I am having my 95 F355 throwing CEL 1-4. I researched all the information here on this community to see of a solution to this problem. Also other here have indicated said to pull codes from the system which i did. The codes came in 1313. This means the ECU is bad. Could it be O2 Sensors? or could it be a bad ECU? Or maybe the connection is bad and should be cleaned? Please advise possible remedies?

    Thanks!!!!!

    Georgio
     
  17. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #17 No Doubt, Sep 27, 2010
    It could be a bad ECU, but there are a couple of less expensive possibilities, too.

    First, do you have aftermarket ECU tuning chips installed?
    Second, is the main ground strap properly connected to your engine?
    Third, do you have a weak car battery/trickle charger/ or had a recent jump start?
     
  18. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 ernie, Sep 28, 2010
    Man did this thing get "Back to the Future"'d or what?

    Anyway, about that "bad ecu", I once got that code on my 348 and it was do to the engine not being grounded properly. So before anything else, check ALL of your ground connections, especially the one running from the block/gearbox to the frame.
     
  19. ducatidragon916

    ducatidragon916 Rookie

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    #19 ducatidragon916, Sep 28, 2010
    Only the second possibility applies here and I will take a look at this as well. I never had any tuning chips installed and the battery is good and I keep it trickle charged as well. Any other possibilities? Someone mentioned it might be bad connector and either clean it up or replace them with quality kit etc.
     
  20. ducatidragon916

    ducatidragon916 Rookie

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    #20 ducatidragon916, Sep 28, 2010
    Appreciate the help, do you happen to have a photo of the grounding wire on the F355?

    Thanks
     
  21. ducatidragon916

    ducatidragon916 Rookie

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    #21 ducatidragon916, Sep 29, 2010
    I unhooked and cleaned the connector and sprayed the connector with CR electrical contact cleaner and the female plug ECU and used compressed air to clean it all out. This may have solved the problem but will verify this tomorrow when I take the ferrari out for a couple of miles. I ran the ferrari after i cleaned the connector for 20 minutes and went through 4 cooling cycles and no CEL lights which is a good sign and the engine running really strong and steady. I will let you guys know. Thanks for all your suggestions.

    Thanks,

    Georgio
     

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