Slow Down! CEL too, Huge Loss of Power | FerrariChat
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Slow Down! CEL too, Huge Loss of Power

Discussion in '348/355' started by Gumart1, May 31, 2011.

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  1. Gumart1

    Gumart1 Karting

    Dec 22, 2010
    117
    Highland Park, IL
    Full Name:
    Marty
    #1 Gumart1, May 31, 2011
    I've had my '96 Spider for just a couple of months and it drove fine until now. For the first time this morning, I had an intermittent, then steady "Slow Down" light, when traveling at any speed, even at 10mph or when stopped. After about 10 miles of this, the CEL came on too. Then, the car had a huge loss of power that came on suddenly, came intermittently and then stayed with me for the last 10 miles of the drive. The car did not overheat, just very sluggish acceleration, though it wasn't slow 100% of the time the "slow down" light was on, in other words it didn't happen exactly at the same time that light came on. The car just had a PPI with very good compression and leak-down results. I'm deathly afraid to drive it after this experience and feel like this is serious! Would appreciate any input. Thanks
     
  2. 3forty8

    3forty8 F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Apr 25, 2006
    2,713
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Eric
    #2 3forty8, May 31, 2011
    Sounds like a catalytic convertor overheating and then the ECU shutting down that side of the engine in order to allow it to cool down. It may be as simple as a bad heat sensor/catalyst ecu or it could be the catalyst material disintegrating within the convertor and blocking the exhaust flow.
     
  3. junglistluder

    junglistluder F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 23, 2007
    3,631
    VA
    Full Name:
    Brendan
    #3 junglistluder, May 31, 2011
    You went into limp mode because the Slow Down light came on solid. This means that one (or more) of your CAT ECUs are dectecting temps that are detrimental. Likely you have a bad Cat ECU but I would look into it further. You need to pull the code for the CEL and that will tell all.
     
  4. FerrariDeeJay

    FerrariDeeJay Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2009
    418
    Chino, CA
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #4 FerrariDeeJay, May 31, 2011
    Common problem on the 355. Most likely the Cat temp ECU. Part number 179278. Cost about $350.00. The best way to diagnose is to switch the 1-4 side to the 5-8 engine bank and see if it turns on the slow down light on the opposite side. Refer to the owners manual or Ricambi for the exact location of the cat temp ecu. Good luck!
     
  5. junglistluder

    junglistluder F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 23, 2007
    3,631
    VA
    Full Name:
    Brendan
    #5 junglistluder, May 31, 2011
    Since he has a 96, there is only 1 slow down light. The OBD code will tell him which cat ECU is giving the bad reading.
     
  6. FerrariDeeJay

    FerrariDeeJay Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2009
    418
    Chino, CA
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #6 FerrariDeeJay, May 31, 2011
    Oh, I am sorry, my car is a 1995.
     
  7. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    29,265
    socal
    #7 fatbillybob, May 31, 2011
  8. aafonso

    aafonso Rookie

    May 21, 2013
    7
    #8 aafonso, Jun 24, 2013
    Hi guys,

    this is my first post here, and I am very pleased to tell to all of you that my Slow-Down light problem has been finally solved.

    After a nightmare of months searching for a solution, you people, showed me the way!

    I've been experiencing a Slow-Down 5-8 light and the correspondent power loss since I bought my F355 a year ago. According to your instructions I exchanged the ECU's, and found the solution that way. Then I ordered a new one and the problem disappeared.

    Thanks a lot,

    A.Afonso
     
  9. F355steve

    F355steve Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2008
    2,089
    Honolulu - Seattle - Okinawa
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #9 F355steve, Jun 25, 2013
    Well, don't just post once then vanish. Lets see some pics of your 355 and full specs on her.
     
  10. aafonso

    aafonso Rookie

    May 21, 2013
    7
    #10 aafonso, Jul 3, 2013
    Ok, this is my love..

    http://sdrv.ms/10zy7A5

    for a lapse of two months I got both cars, the 911 and the F355..now the 911 has gone..

    Post: How do you include images in the post?
     

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