Engine Control System Failure Return to Dealer - 8 Days After Warranty | FerrariChat

Engine Control System Failure Return to Dealer - 8 Days After Warranty

Discussion in 'California/Portofino/Roma' started by DJP, Jun 13, 2018.

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  1. DJP

    DJP Karting

    Jun 9, 2013
    74
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Daniel
    I was driving my 2015 Cali-T w/ 3k miles on it and the "Engine Control System Failure Return to Dealer" message came on in addition to the engine light. Not flashing, just static.

    After reviewing various threads regarding these engine control system failure messages I see it could be any number of issues or a gremlin that goes away with a basic system restart. What is interesting about this error message is that it appeared just 8 days after the warranty expired.

    I will run diagnosis ASAP and update here what service finds.

    Question: Anyone have experience with Ferrari handling cost of issues out of goodwill so close to warranty expiration?
     
  2. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 13, 2014
    25,865
    DFW, Texas
    Full Name:
    Tom C
    Daniel...Did you try re-starting and see if the TFT message goes away? Do you know if the battery is still the original one? Do you keep it on a battery tender when not driving it? Is the car in reduced power (limp) mode?

    Good luck. Hope it's something minor and F dealer does right by you so close to the warranty expiration...T
     
  3. DJP

    DJP Karting

    Jun 9, 2013
    74
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Daniel
    Hi Tom - thanks for the reply and best wishes! Just found out warranty actually expired 5 days ago. Oops.

    To answer your questions:
    - Yes, I've tried restarting and gave it a day then drove it again. Same engine light and message came on after initial warm up.
    - Not sure if it's the original battery. I'm the second owner and just bought the vehicle in January. I do keep it on a battery tender when not driving it, although, I do not think the previous owner who put on 2k miles did as the tender was still new in the trunk when I picked up the car.
    - I don't believe I'm in reduced power (limp) mode since the car is shifting just fine. I had to google this one :)
     
  4. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
    4,425
    Full Name:
    Michael
    Question: did you fill your gas tank not long before you got the CELs?

    Advice: get yourself a OBDII reader. You can find these on eBay and Amazon. Read the actual code number and look it up before jumping to conclusions.

    Don't panic.

    Most "Engine Control System Failure Return to Dealer" CELs are not really dire. I got like 3 or 4 of them over the last few weeks. I read the codes, they were all P2404, figured out why then confirmed the cause with my dealer when my car was in for annual service. Nothing important.
     
    DJP likes this.
  5. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 13, 2014
    25,865
    DFW, Texas
    Full Name:
    Tom C
    4th,
    Good advice. Do you have an ODBII reader that you recommend?
    T
     
  6. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
    4,425
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #6 4th_gear, Jun 15, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2018
    Certainly Tom, but first of all I must point out I'm not an expert on OBDII codes.

    4 years ago, a fellow FChatter (from the UK I seem to recall) kindly posted his experience re OBDII warning messages on his Cali, mentioned he bought an "at-the-time" novel inexpensive reader that worked off his iPhone. I pm him for the details and bought the "iobd2" on eBay. It cost me USD 46 at the time. There are probably many others on the market by now.

    The "made-in-China" XTOOL device is a plastic connector that attaches to the OBDII port found on the underside of your Cali's steering column. You download their app off Apple or Google store - other OBDII apps may also work on it. The device works well so long as you follow a proper sequence to pair and connect BEFORE starting the app, just like with other Bluetooth and WiFi devices. Make sure you turn off your car before beginning the connection sequence. You do not have to start the engine as turning the ignition key to position 2 in the key slot is enough if you just want to read or clear codes.

    The device allows you to identify and optionally clear the codes from 3 banks of ECU codes. It also offers brief descriptions of the codes. When the engine is running you can also read the metrics off the sensors and systems of the car to check performance data. Not all tests or metrics are supported by every car the reader works on.

    To understand why your car may have thrown up the CEL code, you research the specific code identified by the OBDII reader and make your own deductions by doing your best to UNDERSTAND the CONDITIONS that would trigger the code, any correlations to WHEN you got the code, WHAT events preceded the code, any OTHER SYMPTOMS and any RECENT CHANGES to the car you notice.

    IMO, everyone who owns a reasonably modern Fcar should own and use an OBDII reader. If not, you are essentially operating the vehicle blindly and would need to call or visit a dealer or specialist shop every time you get a warning you don't understand. It would put you off driving the car until you have it sorted.

    That can get very inconvenient and very expensive... often, for no good reason at all!

     
    DJP and tomc like this.
  7. DJP

    DJP Karting

    Jun 9, 2013
    74
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Daniel
    Ah, this is great 4th gear! Thank you very much for your detailed post.

    I had read about getting an ODBII reader and are thankful that you took the time to explain it in detail. Off to do some research.... :)


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  8. Andynyc

    Andynyc Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 20, 2017
    264
    NYC!
    I had this error message, but my car was still driving fine. I still towed it to the dealer just to be safe. it turned out to be a faulty gas cap . Hope yours is something simple and minor like that too.
     
  9. matteni

    matteni Rookie

    Jun 2, 2005
    7
    May I kindly ask what you figured out? Was it something simple?
     

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