308qv: Brake warning light on | FerrariChat
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308qv: Brake warning light on

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by ClydeM, Jun 3, 2006.

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  1. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    Nov 4, 2003
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    Wayne, NJ
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    Clyde E. McMurdy
    #1 ClydeM, Jun 3, 2006
    Had the car at Ferrari where they pulled the front bumper to put on a new bumper shock. Driving home, the left directional was flashing faster than the right.
    I had the car out last night in the rain & the wipers were working way too fast (unless at idle). The AC blower was blowing too fast. The instrument cluster was too bright. Well, not too bright, but way brighter than normal. I could actually see the dials as I drove.

    I'm thinking Ferrar shorted a wire or didn't ground one properly.

    Then, the blinker started working normal and shortly after the brake failure light flashed, then came on steady 1 minute later.

    The brakes seem fine. The resevoir was fine, but topped-off anyway and I still have the issue.

    I saw a thread about a pressure differential switch under the front end. Where? Since I'll be crawling under the car looking for a short from the bumper install, I'd figure I'd check the switch too.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Mondialmike

    Mondialmike Karting

    Mar 12, 2005
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    Mike Hunnisett
    #2 Mondialmike, Jun 3, 2006
    I spotted the differential pressure switch on my '81 Mondi-8 today and I guess yours will be in the same area.

    Not easy to describe but here goes. Follow the coolant hoses from the rad all the way under to where they disappear into the central tunnel, looking at this tunnel its located on the lefthand side on the bulkhead.
     
  3. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    #3 ClydeM, Jun 4, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thanks Mike.
    Cranked up the car & removed the plate. There the switch is! disconnected the pink wires first & turned the key on to test. Warning light goes out. Used a residue cleaner (in pic...any such product will do), reconnected the wires and voila, everything is happy. Especially me!

    Seems I forgot I'd gone through some flooding 10 miles or so prior to the light going on. Water must have gotten into the wires.

    Thank you FChat and esp. Mike.
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  4. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
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    #4 jhsalah, Aug 12, 2006
    Fchatters (Clyde -- hope you see this),

    Brake Failure Light came on today when I turned the car on. Brake pedal seems normal (i.e. not softer than usual), brake fluid cylinder is full, brake lines were checked a week or two ago by my mechanic and am told are fine.

    I did a search and stumbled on this thread and suspect I'm having a similar problem because this only happened after the car had been driven in quite a lot of rain on Thursday night, so I suspect the wires got a little wet.

    Is there any way to check this WITHOUT being able to jack up the car?? I'm scheduled to go on the big NY/NJ run tomorrow very early in the morning, and I have no jack easily accessible.

    If I can't check this, should I worry?? Should I skip the run? Again, my brakes seem unchanged from prior to this light coming on (they've always had a minor squeek but the brakes are still good). What are the odds there could be a sudden major brake failure??

    Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
     
  5. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    #5 ClydeM, Aug 12, 2006
    Driven through any puddles, rivers or lakes lately?

    Don't fool with your brakes.

    But if your brakes were checked,
    and your resevoir is full
    and you don't see any fluid on the ground
    you should run the car up on some ramps, 10mm bolts to take out to drop the pan & check the connection.
     
  6. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
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    #6 jhsalah, Aug 12, 2006
    Thanks for the reply, Clyde. When Steve drove the car back to me Thursday night, he drove through those huge thunderstorms that were coming through the area. Light wasn't coming on that night, but today was the first time since that I'd been driving it...

    I'm very concerned about this. I obviously know I shouldn't take risks with braking... I also found this thread:

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105827&highlight=brake+failure+light

    Seems to be the same problem -- cruddy/shorting switch. But I simply cannot check this between now and tomorrow morning.... I'm going to check carefully for fluid on the ground tomorrow before I leave and see if there's any change in break fluid level or brake behavior and, if not, I'm going to come anyway and monitor very carefully. If I feel the slightest weakening of braking, I'm pulling out.

    I'm so irritated with these problems... It's almost like the car is conspiring to prevent me from going on this damn run... Well, welcome to the joys of Ferrari, I suppose. You gotta take the good with the bad. I just wish I lived someplace where it was possible for me to do anything with the car myself...

    Thanks again...

    J.
     
  7. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    #7 ClydeM, Aug 12, 2006
    I'll bring the wrenches & contact cleaner. Maybe we can sneak in a quick peek tomorrow
     
  8. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
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    #8 jhsalah, Aug 12, 2006
    You are a GOOD, GOOD man. Thank you, Clyde.
     

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