296 GTB. died

The dealer is the nightmare, not the car. 3 weeks without my 296 for replacing the LV battery on warrenty. This is the real joke. Things can happen and the 296 is no Lada ...

 

This is just the beginning, getting older without being unmanageable...

 

Kind of like Ferrari Gestione Sportiva; getting older and unmanageable with no soul...

 

Should be outsourced to AF Corse

 

I started getting errors messages a month or so ago on my 2023 296 GTB of Hybrid Failure and all EV modes were gone. The error would clear once the car was locked and unlocked, but it was in for service 2 weeks ago and I sent the dealer photos of the error messages on the dash. Dealer said it was perfectly fine, no issues at all, nothing in the logs, nothing in the diagnostics - not really sure how hard they looked to be honest and they were quick to send it back to me. Literally locked down once it was returned to me though. Errors ranged from Hybrid System Failure, to High Voltage Battery Fail, to Limited Performance of the engine - understatement, the car was totally bricked and no chance of starting. For a good while it was marooned in my garage, locked down.

It seemed the HV battery had failed and then took the LV battery with it, even though the car had been plugged in since return and blue light flashing normally on the charger. Yesterday I got over 40 errors to the App ranging from EBD failure to ESC failure to E-latch failure to indicator failure (plus the comedy of being told the engine was overheating, although it was totally dead) - in fact pretty much everything, which I guess was the result of the LV losing power. I managed to open the door with the emergency key to manually access the trunk and get the car into neutral with the long lever they give you, but there was no way of even closing the door again. Never seen such a catastrophic failure of a car before - literally stone cold dead to the world.

Heading back to the dealer today on a recovery lorry.
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Is the charger plugged directly into the wall or are you using an extension cord?

 

It’s plugged directly into the wall.

 

does that make a difference with the hybrids? I have used an extension cord all the time

 

I’ve heard directly first hand that with the SF90 it certainly made a difference. The system is quite sensitive. I haven’t heard directly about the 296.

 

The only concern with an extension cord is that it is grounded (i.e. 3-prong) and its gauge (thickness) and that it is sufficient for power flowing through, a thin gauge will overheat and could cause a fire/melt. Otherwise, zero concern, impossible for it to make any difference at all, consider what is behind the plug on the wall...more wire ! lots of it...

(of course, it might be easier to make your own extension cord that can handle 32A 125V than to find one to purchase...)

 

“only concern with an extension cord is that it is grounded (i.e. 3-prong) and its gauge (thickness) and that it is sufficient for power flowing through”

Considering not all extension cords fit that bill it can be a frequent problem.

 

From experience, I would suspect the LV battery is below voltage and giving fake messages as this is what I have experienced twice. The problem was diagnosed as a faulty charger and once replaced the problem was solved.

 

Use extension cords on new / old Ferrari's incl SF90 296

Receptacle - 20amp voltage surge suppressor - make sure sufficient and clean electric.
Check voltage / amperage clean uninterrupted power - if you don't know what that means call electrician.

Think of your 500k Ferrari hybrid like a 99.00 microwave - dedicated circuit 20 amp $15.00 receptacle Do not use 14 gauge 15amp - needs 12/3 20 amp, not one electronic issue with my hybrids.

Use a lot of tenders, all are not created equal.Ferrari hybrid cord and plug system is well built with a heavy cord - if your cord and or power is not as well built and designed - you will have problems which seems to be common.

 

Perhaps your experience different than who I know. The dealership told them don’t use extension chords after many issues and back and forth communication.