Ferrari 456 GT - High Idle after WOT run | FerrariChat

Ferrari 456 GT - High Idle after WOT run

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Gated V12, Mar 6, 2020.

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  1. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
    46
    Full Name:
    Adam
    Hey guys, I have a 1997 456 GT (6 speed, 5.2 Motronic) and I have a weird one that I'm hoping someone has some insight on. A couple weeks ago, I was driving *spiritedly* and all of a sudden, the engine power cut out a bit (almost like the car went into 'Limp home mode'). No CEL but I pulled over and engine idle was much higher than normal, right at 2,000RPM.

    Luckily, I was near my house, so I drove it back with the high idle and let her cool down. Once cooled down, the car returned to running perfectly.

    I figured it was due to one (or both) of the Idle air controllers going out so I bought brand new Bosch units and installed them...then took the car out again, and same thing! Once water and oil temps were fully warmed, I took a run at WOT and the car did the same thing: cut power (like going into limp home mode) and the high idle at 2,000RPM until she cooled down, now she runs perfectly...I just can't go WOT...in my Ferrari!

    Anyway, when I got home, I hooked up my scanner tool and got the following pending codes (not stored so no CEL):

    P1514 - Unknown Diagnostic Code
    P0336 - Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance
    P0103 - Mass or Volume Air Flow "A" Circuit High
    P0507 - Idle Air Control System RPM Higher Than Expected

    I'm wondering if the car isn't getting enough air through the intakes during the WOT runs and goes into a safety mode, high idle mode? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
     
  2. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,134
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    From the Audi DTC codes which I believe match Ferrari 5.2 motronic

    P1514 - Intake Manifold Changeover Valve 2 circuit Short to ground
    P0336 - Crankshaft Pos. Sensor (A) Circ Range/Performance/Missing tooth
    P0103 - Mass or Volume Air Flow Circ High Input

    P0507 - Idle Control System Higher than Expected
     
  3. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Feb 20, 2015
    11,484
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    Ian Riddell
    Does the "(A)" signify the right bank (cyl 1~6)?

    High what? Resistance? Voltage? Adam, maybe you could clean the MAF plugs with electrical spray/isopropyl alcohol and clean the MAF sensors with MAF cleaner? Although what this has to do with your problem, I don't know.

    Just wondering what 456 idle speed is based on? Fixed rpms according to inputs from the HVAC system and coolant temperature sensors? Or something more? I found this interesting snippet on the F355 forum:

    I wonder if your alternator or battery is on its way out. On the F355, I know alternators don't like high rpms.

    The fact that it runs at exactly 2000rpms may be a clue. If a sensor of some kind has failed or gone out of normal range, the Motronics ECUs may command the idle rpms to a default safe value.
     
  4. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
    46
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    Adam
    Thanks, Dave! That helps in regards to the 1514 code explanation. I'm pretty sure the 456 does have the "Intake manifold changeover valve" that VWs have so I'm wondering what that would be referring to. Definitely something with the air take system.
     
  5. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
    46
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    Adam
    Yeah good questions. My guess would be high voltage. Either way, I'm going to clean the MAF connectors and make sure the female alligator clamps are nice and tight.

    In regards to the battery/alternator, that's where my mind went but I recently replaced the alternator and have the car on a trickle charger when not driven for any length of time so my guess is something to do with a sensor of some kind. I'm going to look at the MAF and Throttle body position sensors and ensure they're in good working order. Will report back after I do!
     
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  6. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
    46
    Full Name:
    Adam
    Update: So yesterday, the car started to get the 2k RPM idle without any WOT runs! I decided to take it out and drive nice and easy. The car ended up idling for about 15 minutes while I talked to a friend and the idle suddenly jumped up.

    I then took the car home and back-probed the passenger side throttle position sensor and was getting .47 volts (normal is half a volt so pretty close there). While I was working, I noticed both sides of the passenger side (Bank 1) header 2 (both where it meets the block and also where it meet the Cat) was RED HOT, like glowing! Checked the drivers side and not the case, the drivers side headers were not glowing. I got out my laser thermometer and got these numbers:

    Passenger side header = 520 degrees F (Ave)
    Drivers side header = 380 degrees F (Ave)

    So now, I believe it's a heat issue causing the idle air controller to get too hot and go wonky. I'm sure the heat is going to cause other issues with the cooling system being on the passenger side too so I want to fix this. What would cause the header to get so hot on one bank? Timing I'm sure, but the car runs perfectly so I don't think I have a timing issue. The fuel trims are a bit on the rich side (-5 to -7% on ave) so I don't think fuel/air is the issue. Maybe the Cat is going? I don't feel the exhaust being restricted while driving and no 'slow down' light either....any recommendations guys?
     
  7. franschman

    franschman Formula Junior

    Dec 18, 2017
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    Bart
    Intermittent O2 sensor failure?
     
  8. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
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    Adam
    That crossed my mind as well but my scan tool shows all four of the O2 voltages isolating normally during the weird idling...I'll be checking again to verify though.
     
  9. arkferrari

    arkferrari Karting
    BANNED

    Feb 9, 2004
    211
    Hot Springs, AR
    Full Name:
    B.F. Mitchell
    Any update as I am experiencing P0507 and CEL with history of unprovoked idle surges as you described in my 1999 456M GTA?
     
  10. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
    46
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    Adam
    As best I can discern, the Idle air controllers were getting heat soaked from the headers of the car getting so hot! I installed a heat shield which seemed to help. I haven't had the problem since but haven't driven the car as much as I'd like so I'll report back after driving some more.

    I'd suggest taking a look at your headers (with a laser thermometer if possible) after a 'spirited' drive. If well over 500 F, that might be your issue too.
     
  11. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
    3,665
    Oslo
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    Erik
    Leaking injectors maybe?
     
  12. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Feb 20, 2015
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    Did you do a before and after temperature measurement of the idle air controllers? Those things run pretty hot all the time, just with the current running through them. The IAC on my 355 is quite shielded from the exhaust system and it still gets hot.
     
  13. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
    46
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    Adam
    Yes, you're right they do run pretty hot. I've gotten a before temp but not after...haven't been able to go for a drive yet.
     
  14. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
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    Adam
    Just an update to close the loop on this. With the cats cleaned and the heat shield installed, I haven’t had any high idle issues for a few months now. So it seems the IACs we’re getting a bit heat soaked before doing this.

    Anyway, she’s running beautifully, thanks for all your input guys!
     
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  15. ARAB

    ARAB Rookie

    Jan 17, 2021
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    juan bernardo arab ceron

    Hi. I am experiencing this problem but it happens to me at any time. I have a 456m gta and the vehicle revs at just 2000 rmp and I have to accelerate or park and accelerate to stop it. Sometimes it turns off, I was thinking of buying the REGULATOR FOR IDLE ADJUSTMENT but I don't know if it will be the solution to my problem
     
  16. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
    46
    Full Name:
    Adam
    Hi Juan.

    Is it happening at any time or only after you 456 is warm? If it’s happening during cold starts, I’d say switching out the idle air regs for new ones would probably solve it.
    BUT, I also bought 2 new idle air regs thinking that would solve it and it didn’t. It ended up being the exhaust headers heat soaking the idle air reg on bank 1. So after cleaning the cat and installing a heat shield (above the headers, below the HT leads and air intake), the issue is gone. ;) Here’s the heat shield I ordered from Amazon:

    Heatshield Products 120614 Inferno Shield 6" x 14" Stainless Heat Shield https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002UPOX9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_i_q9AbGbFZVAX2N?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

    I would say order two of these (one for each side) and try this first and if it doesn’t fix your issue, keep or return to Amazon and order some new idle air regs for both sides. Hope this helps!
     
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  17. Granada456

    Granada456 Karting

    Dec 8, 2020
    64
    Granada
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    Julyan
    What rpm should a 456 idle at? Mine idles at 1300; is that the norm? It seems high to me. Is there any idle speed adjustment possible? I don't see anything about that in the workshop manual.
    Thanks,
     
  18. Gated V12

    Gated V12 Rookie

    Jan 6, 2019
    46
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    Adam
    1300 seems high to me as well. Mine idles right around 950rpm which seems right to me but i guess each car is a bit different. Yes, you can adjust the idle at the throttle bodies. There's a tiny set screw that you can loosen/tighten to increase/decrease the idle speed.

    I'd say try it while the car is running because you'll want to do the same adjustments to both throttle bodies to keep them in sync.

    Hope that helps!
     
  19. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
    3,665
    Oslo
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    Erik
    I believe it should idle at around 1.000 rpm. 1300 is til much. But when the car is rolling, the idle rises to around 1.500 rpm. on my 550. I believe the 456 is the same.
     
  20. Granada456

    Granada456 Karting

    Dec 8, 2020
    64
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    Julyan
    Thanks guys, I'll try adjusting it down a bit on the throttle bodies and will report back.
     
  21. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
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    Erik
    you should not adjust them. They needs to be synchronized by a Ferrari workshop with the electronic diagnose stuff connected. What you adjust is the butterfly flap in the throttle body, but then the throttle position sensor will also change its reading. What you adjust is actually just the pick-up setting of the flap, and the real idle speed is constantly adjusted electronically by the two idle air control valves which gets their signals from the two ECU computers, one for each bank of cylinders.
     
  22. franschman

    franschman Formula Junior

    Dec 18, 2017
    349
    Holland
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    Bart
    The WSM has a procedure here.
    What you can check is the voltage from the potentiometers of both throttle bodies. They must be the same value both closed and during opening. Check with two voltmeters so you can see both values simultaneously.
    This is adjusted by the cable that connects the right hand throttle body with the let hand one; if this has stretched a bit, or has come loose, you may get disparity between the throttle bodies.
     
  23. Granada456

    Granada456 Karting

    Dec 8, 2020
    64
    Granada
    Full Name:
    Julyan
    I was going to ask what electronic diagnosis would mean in this instance; it makes sense it would be to equalize those two voltages. I didn't notice that procedure in the workshop manual. Thanks both. As for me I now have a more urgent problem with my 456; I think I should start a new thread on that.
     

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