355 cabin earths/fuse block earths. 1996 5.2 NO SPARK!!!!!

There are companies that fix these things. There must be millions of these DME units running around and they do break. It would be cheaper than buying a Ferrari one, for sure. I am willing to bet that there are very well known failure modes that are all worked out by now.

 

That’s a shame. I was going to chime in and say your symptoms are exactly what I experienced last year.
Car would start one day, but not the next. Cranking fine etc.

After a lot of mucking around and various red herrings, my mechanic traced it back to a wire that was partially broken / not connected properly. If it was touching the car would start. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t. Simple as that.
Wire replaced, problem fixed.

Sorry to hear that’s not the case for you.

 

No. All I know is it was one from the ecu going backwards (I think).
It got to the point where if they held the wire they could start the car, then move the wire a little and it would stop immediately.

If you or your mechanic wanted to I’m sure they could call mine and ask.

 

PM sent (or whatever it’s called these days)

 

Hopefully, the power transistors (or whatever the drivers are) can be changed. In hindsight, perhaps Ferrari should have left the power stuff outside the ECU (like the 2.7 version). My old Lotus Esprit ECU used to break down from time to time, but exchange/refurbished units could be bought for a few hundred dollars. Unfortunately, because of the immobiliser on the Ferrari, it adds another level of complexity.

 

My problem on my 1996 5.2 was a faulty fuse block ( the one in the passenger footwell). Check out my earlier posts....seemed to be common on our year. I was told it was a transition year from the earlier Motronic. Have your fuse block tested at any avionics insturment specialist....this stuff is basic for them. Very inexpensive to have it repaired, good luck. Oh...a "specialist" told me it was the immobilizer....that could have cost me dearly....have your fuse block tested.