348 1-4/5-8 light on how to tell if it is serious or bad ECU? | FerrariChat

348 1-4/5-8 light on how to tell if it is serious or bad ECU?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by 308GTS, Nov 30, 2003.

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  1. 308GTS

    308GTS Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2001
    2,223
    TN
    #1 308GTS, Nov 30, 2003
    I am wanting to know how to tell if it is the cat overheating or if the ECU for the cats is off. I have heard that a lot of 348s have 1-4/5-8 lights come and then the car will drop to 4 cylinders. My main question is if this happens I have heard that if you cats are ok and it isn't there that you can unplug the sensor at the ECU (2 of them right?) and the car will go back to all 8 but however if it is an overheating cat then the car could catch on fire. What is the best way to tell if it is an ECU malfunction or serious issue? Thanks.
     
  2. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,575
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    #2 ernie, Nov 30, 2003
    Well what the exhaust ecu does is monitor the temperature of the cats. I think if the temperature of the cat gets about 1200 deg F it will shut the bank down so that the cats don't get ruined. I had the experiance of one bank getting shut down. The slow down 1/4 was comming on and off from time to time. Then one day the car lost power big time and you could hear a distinct difference in the exhaust note. What I did to see if is what the ecu or indeed the cat was switch the ecu from one side to the other. Sure enough I was getting the problem now on the 5/8 side. So I just leave it unplugged. . Another thing that is common is the termo couplers have a tendancy to go bad. But I would check the ecu's first. Search the archives, there is loads and loads of info about this subject.
     
  3. NYJETSFAN

    NYJETSFAN Formula 3

    May 11, 2001
    1,096
    Kalifornia
    Full Name:
    Jr
    #3 NYJETSFAN, Nov 30, 2003

    would removing the cats help this at all?
     
  4. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,575
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    #4 ernie, Nov 30, 2003
    Uhhhhhh Yeaaaah if there are no cats they can't get hot. But why go to the trouble of removing the cats, unless you don't want them. People have taken the cats off but that is more for performance gain. Even if you did take the cats off you still could have a retarted ecu like I did. My exhaust ecu was so bad that even after the car had been sitting over night when I turned it on the light came on.
     
  5. 308GTS

    308GTS Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2001
    2,223
    TN
    #5 308GTS, Nov 30, 2003
    Thanks Ernie. I appreciate it. Switching them makes great sense. Are they right next to each other? Thanks Again.
     
  6. rexrcr

    rexrcr Formula 3

    Nov 27, 2002
    1,572
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Full Name:
    Rob Schermerhorn
    #6 rexrcr, Nov 30, 2003
    The thermocouple ECUs are located on the shock tower. One on each side. Follow the lead from the thermocouple (braided stainless wire, 10mm nut attachment) in the catalytic converter, it will lead you to their location. Two connectors, one to the wiring harness and then ultimately to the Motronic, the other connects to the thermocouple.

    Highly recommend seaching the archives on this topic, much more information including photos, troubleshooting, costs, and how to know if you have the latest generation thermo ECU.

    One last note: The quickest way to know if the Slow Down is genuine is to look at the catalytic converters. It'll be glowing. Otherwise, it's an electrical gremlin.

    Best regards,

    Rob Schermerhorn
     
  7. 308GTS

    308GTS Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2001
    2,223
    TN
    #7 308GTS, Nov 30, 2003
    Great. Thanks Rob. I appreciate it. So if it is an electrical gremlin and I am driving 400 miles or so just umplug the ECU from the thermcouple? Thanks Again.
     

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