355 spider suspension light question. | FerrariChat

355 spider suspension light question.

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by chaa, Jan 27, 2004.

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  1. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    Hi dudes, my suspension light has come on the dash on my 1995 model,i am going to take it in under waranty.But the question is this, according to the manual, when the light comes on the suspension sets its self in the emergancy setting till the problem is put right, what is that setting? Is it sport mode or soft mode? Also is this a problem that often happens with F355s? Thanks. Chaz
     
  2. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
    S W London
    Full Name:
    Tony H
    Chaz,
    which light has come on ? The one on left of speedo or the one on right, under seatbelt warning lght? I know this will sound daft, but if it's the one on left , you may have flicked by mistake the comfort susp. switch. I've had the other one[on right] come on at low speeds and was advised to turn engine on and off and again as it may have been a bad contact.It worked!
    Tony
     
  3. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    Hi tonyh, its the one on the right its not the comfort switch. I have tried many times to get the light of but to no avail. Any ideas.
     
  4. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,252
    Common problem. Go take every electrical plug in the suspension system, unplug it, blow some contact cleaner over it, and plug it back in.
     
  5. 355f

    355f Formula Junior

    Nov 1, 2003
    307
    Its not that common a problem but it does happen.

    You will have to go to the dealer who will put SD1 tester on it.

    It is likely that one of the four servo motors on top of the shockers has gone awol, thus your suspension light.

    In my case the car seemed to stay in standard mode(not sport setting)

    Lack of use seems to be a lot of the problem as they stick and burn themselves out
     
  6. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
    S W London
    Full Name:
    Tony H
    Chaz,
    afraid not. This happened to me before but a simple turn off and restart seemed to sort out the problem as it hasn't happened since.Post this question again tomm morning as Malcolm,the Ferrari Tech from Maranello, will be online .He's v helpful and will try and give you some practical advice.
    Sorry i can't be of much help and good luck.
    Tony
     
  7. rexrcr

    rexrcr Formula 3

    Nov 27, 2002
    1,572
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Full Name:
    Rob Schermerhorn
    Definately try cleaning the electrical contacts. Otherwise, SDI time.

    Suspension will go full soft by default; so, no racing ehh?


    Best regards,

    Rob Schermerhorn
     
  8. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    Thanks very much for your responses.
     
  9. Ferrari_tech

    Ferrari_tech Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2003
    1,527
    UK
    Full Name:
    Malcolm W
    Chaz,

    Very common problem, as said above needs to go on the SD1 for proper diagnosis, but more than likely is caused by the malfunction of the actuator on top of the shockabsorber. One thing to check, if it does show up as an actuator failure have the repair shop take a close look at it, and if there is any trace of hydraulic oil in the actuator then they must replace the shockabsorber. Also if your car has done more than 25,000 miles insist that they change the other side shockabsorber as well.


    MW
     
  10. yfc

    yfc Karting

    Dec 23, 2003
    212
    Geneva / Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Christophe
    With my F355 Berlinetta, I can't feel any difference between the "standard" suspension mode and the "confort" mode. Even when passing on a manhole cover.

    What about you? Do you really feel the difference? Is it more noticable at high speed vs low-speed, ...

    Any experience are welcome.

    Chris.

    PS: Just in case, I don't have the right hand suspension light on. :)
     
  11. MarkCollins

    MarkCollins F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jul 2, 2002
    3,202
    South England
    Full Name:
    Mark Collins
    yfc
    I can definitely notice the difference on UK roads

    Chaz
    My light came on when one of the Actuators fell off!, it's easy to check the two rear ones are there and connected, the fronts more difficult
     
  12. yfc

    yfc Karting

    Dec 23, 2003
    212
    Geneva / Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Christophe
    Hi Mark,

    When I took my F355 yesterday for a short ride, I (again) compared the "normal" & "confort" mode of the suspension. Once again, I (as well as my wife) could not feel any different.

    I should definitively seat down in another F355. It must be the only way to feel the suspension difference.

    Chris.
     
  13. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,252
    The softer setting makes my car feel sloppy in transitions, and I end up only using it on roads that I shouldn't be driving on anyway.......
     
  14. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK

    I have exactly the same issue with my 355. In fact, I can't figure out whether its in sports setting with the light on or off ? Which way around is it, and is it possible that it is stuck in comfort mode simply because it is not functioning?
     
  15. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,252
    On a car with the performance envelope of any modern Ferrari::

    Anything and everything you do to one side of the suspension you need to do to the other side!

    And any time you do anything with the suspension, you need to check the alignment.
     
  16. yfc

    yfc Karting

    Dec 23, 2003
    212
    Geneva / Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Christophe
    @ Mitch,

    What do you mean by :
    Are you talking about the shock absorber itself? What's the "side" you are refering to?

    May be Ferrari_uk_tech can clarify the meaning of his initial answer.

    Bye for now,
    Chris
     
  17. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,158
    Germany, Bayern
    Hi yfc,

    best way to feel the difference is to drive slalom.
    The body rolling is less on "sport" mode.
    My experiance wit the warning light:
    In the 355 ('95 Euro-Version) the warning light turned on after a fuel stopp (irritation by much more weight ???).
    So I had to stop and read the f*** manual for this crazy disco flipper...
    After re-ignition the light was off again and never flashed again till now.
    Everything worked fine. (reboot rules)

    forza !

    cinquevalvole
     
  18. speedy pete

    speedy pete Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    244
    darkside of the moon
    Full Name:
    Pete B
    I have some hydro fluid showing on the tops of the rear suspenders, the fronts are fine. the light everyone is talking about came on a couple of days ago. Am I in for new shocks? Or rebuilds? I cleaned the contacts and the light went off. drove it a little and then the light came back on. What do you think is up?
     
  19. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,158
    Germany, Bayern
    Hi speedy pete,

    shocking.
    They have to stay dry. I would give them to the Bilstein service to fix
    their poor product for nice price. (No idea of the "new" price).
    You can connect the system on the tester to debug the light + etc..
    (guess only at the official Ferrari service points)

    Links to Bilstein where the ACD2-shocker are explained (soft+comfort):

    http://www.bilstein.de/de/erstausruestung.htm#Adaptives%20Dämpfungssystem

    USA:
    http://www.bilstein.com/flash/shocked.htm

    good luck !!!

    cinquevalvole
     
  20. yfc

    yfc Karting

    Dec 23, 2003
    212
    Geneva / Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Christophe
    Hi cinquevalvole,

    Thanks for the advise. I'll be slaloming next time I'll take my car.

    Bye for now,
    Chris.
     

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