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Feeling a little discouraged today...

Discussion in '348/355' started by treedee3d, Mar 3, 2012.

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  1. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    Fab
    #1 treedee3d, Mar 3, 2012
    So my car is being put together and coming along quite nicely.....as many of you already know, the whole thing was dismantled in order to be painted and restored and I also redid my entire interior including leather redye and sticky stuff cleaned and repainted.

    I put everything back on the car and made sure to double check all the connections to make sure they were clipped properly.

    Today I turned the key and almost nothing worked

    instrument lights and gauges: Not working
    hvac panel & fan: Not working
    Radio: Not working
    gas, fuel gauges & clock: Not working
    Brake lights: Not working
    Headlights: Not working
    Wiper motor: Not working

    Door open beeping sound: Working
    door lock button switch: Working
    Hazard lights: Working

    I'm not very good with wiring diagrams and stuff so is this going to be complicated to diagnose?

    I am so discouraged right now.......
     
  2. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

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    #2 Extreme, Mar 3, 2012
    Oh man! Maybe it will just be a bad connection somewhere...

    Keep us posted as I'm sure you will.
     
  3. reado10

    reado10 Rookie

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    #3 reado10, Mar 3, 2012
    Have you checked your fuses? There are two fuse panels if you didn't already know that :) (one in the footwell, one under the hood).
     
  4. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #4 treedee3d, Mar 3, 2012
    I did check the fuses and they all seem ok....at both locations....it's just really weird!
     
  5. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

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    #5 Extreme, Mar 3, 2012
    This would be very frustrating...

    I'm of no help but I'm cheering for you.
     
  6. reado10

    reado10 Rookie

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    #6 reado10, Mar 3, 2012
    Can you give us anymore idea of just what you've done, what level things have been disconnected/what's had to be re-connected etc? It sounds like you have lost some common/shared feeds.
     
  7. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

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    #7 2NA, Mar 3, 2012
    Battery? if it's not fully charged some things won't work right.
     
  8. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #8 treedee3d, Mar 3, 2012
    Looking at the workshop manual, it seems that the stuff not working all pertains to the "circuits energized by the ignition key"

    I did kind of screw up by starting to dissasemble the interior without disconnecting the battery, I removed the radio and guauges above it as well as half the connections in the instrument cluster before realizing that the battery had not been disconnected. I therefore disconnected it at that point and continued on....

    Every connection inside the passenger compartment and doors was disconnected and the battery. Every other connection on the car was left "as is" while the car got repainted.

    I also used a spare key that I had made for the first time but it seems to work fine. Is it possible the circuit is unresponsive because I am not using my original key?
     
  9. reado10

    reado10 Rookie

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    #9 reado10, Mar 3, 2012
    I stand to be corrected, but I don't believe the key is 'intelligent' or will be causing your issue. Really does sound like you have lost a voltage feed. I know there is a common fuse that supplies both the instrument lights and HVAC panel for instance. Have you a multimeter? May have to start tracing back. Simple test would be metering voltage at the fuse box as a start.
     
  10. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #10 treedee3d, Mar 4, 2012
    I'm really starting to get paranoid that it might be the ECU........

    However, why would something so simple as the radio's power be affected by the ECU?

    I'm on the ledge.......not sure where to turn......going crazy over here......
     
  11. tcannon

    tcannon Formula 3

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    #11 tcannon, Mar 4, 2012
    The power for most systems goes through the ignition switch including the radio. So I would start there. It could be something as simple as corroded contacts in the switch. So don't panick. I would trace the power to and from the switch. Take one circuit and work on it. I have a feeling if you find the issue with it then all the others will follow. Use some of that amazing patience you have shown up to this point and you will be fine. ;)
     
  12. Aiden

    Aiden Karting

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    #12 Aiden, Mar 4, 2012
    +1 on checking the voltage on the battery.
     
  13. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #13 treedee3d, Mar 4, 2012
    Allright Allright.....I am going to hold my head up high, pump out my chest and figure this thing out once and for all.......tomorrow is a new day. I've come this far so there is no giving up now.

    I will check all this stuff out on tuesday and report back.....thanks for the support guys.
     
  14. sevminasyan

    sevminasyan Formula 3

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    #14 sevminasyan, Mar 4, 2012
    Its not the ECU, relax :) Check the main wiring harness plug above the gas pedal to the right. This falls right at the edge of the HVAC unit. There is a black wide plug there that is mounted on the firewall with a clip. If you are looking at the dash from the drivers sitting position, it will fall behind the dash on teh left corner of the HVAC unit on the firewall.

    Another interesting plug is located in the foorwell of the passenger side. IF you remove the carpet piece at the end of the middle console, you will see two big white plugs that are mounted on the floorboard but on a vertical position. These two plugs transfer the electrics from the front fuse box to the rear of the car. The interesting part is that on of the plugs has the same fitting as is the one behind the fusebox. If you mix up the two female or male ends, you will have no power. Check this connection if you did take them apart. If you have not totally dissasembled the wiring, check the fusebox. The one on the floor board on the passenger side.

    PM me if you need any help. I did take completely apart a 355 and put it back together and had no issues.

    Thanks
     
  15. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #15 treedee3d, Mar 5, 2012
    Thank you everyone for your help and kind words. All the above posts have helped me figure out the problem as well as Dave Helms and Bradan.

    I basically removed the steering column cover and looked at every single connection and they were all ok which was even more depressing. After cursing up a storm I went back in...

    I then spotted a red cable that was a little too exposed on the back side of the plastic connector so I opened the connection and, sure enough, there is was: the male from the red wire had gotten pushed back and arched crooked so there was no connection. I assume the red means power in automotive wiring so I adjusted the male, pulled it back into the plastic until it popped and placed it in line with the others.

    Popped that sucker back in and everything is working....Like everyone said: It will turn out to be something so small and stupid (and indeed it was...)

    I lost so much sleep over this issue over the weekend. what a relief!!!!!
     
  16. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #16 treedee3d, Mar 5, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  17. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 Kaivball, Mar 5, 2012
    Glad to hear it was a simple fix!

    Kai
     
  18. tcannon

    tcannon Formula 3

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    #18 tcannon, Mar 5, 2012
    Yes, red is power for a 12V automotive system. That is a thick wire so it looks like a main power feed into the system. I am very happy that you have it fixed and can continue on your trek. :D
     
  19. brent Lachelt

    brent Lachelt Formula 3

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    #19 brent Lachelt, Mar 5, 2012
    Excellent work. It always feels great when you find the solution to these things. Especially when it doesn't cost anything:)
     
  20. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

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    #20 Extreme, Mar 5, 2012
    Glad it was so simple. :)
     
  21. TomPDX

    TomPDX Formula Junior

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    #21 TomPDX, Mar 5, 2012
    I am relieved and happy for you. Isn't that always the way? Keep up the excellent and inspiring work!
     
  22. White Knight

    White Knight Formula 3

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    #22 White Knight, Mar 5, 2012
    So glad to hear you got it sorted! One step closer...
     
  23. cavlino

    cavlino Formula 3

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    #23 cavlino, Mar 5, 2012
    That's awesome news Fab!
     
  24. Subarubrat

    Subarubrat Formula 3

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    #24 Subarubrat, Mar 6, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2012
    I had my own episode this morning. Last night I pulled the center console controls and instrument pod to install the carbon fiber overlays, then put everything back in place. I went out this morning to take the car to work and my instrument and most center console illumination was out, as well my taillights are out, (brake lights, headlights, etc. all work.) Unfortunately all I had time to do was transfer my stuff to the other car and go. So the car, shop manual and meter are all sitting at home while I am at work for the next 12 hours and this is bugging me. Obviously it is self inflicted, I tugged a wire in a connector or something. Anyone know of a common link between taillights and panel illumination? Do they share a fuse?
     
  25. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #25 treedee3d, Mar 6, 2012
    My issue was basically all coming from the fact that the ignition switch was not getting power. See if the hazard lights and power door lock buttons are working. If yes, you may be having the same issue.
     
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