I have recently purchased a 1997 355 GTBwith a F1 gearbox. Unfortnately it has spent more time in the workshop than my garage. Fortnately I purchased from a authorised dealer (they have been excellent) and they are covering all repair costs, although I live 6 hours away from the nearest dealer so have to transport it each time it breaks down - which has now occurred 4 times in just 3 months. The problem that occurs is when I am driving (generally in any gear 2 or above) I lose all power and the car automatically selects neutral. Not a good thing to happen when you are on the wrong side of the road passing someone. I think it is a communication problem between the gearbox and the engine. Has anybody experienced any problems like this or can shed any light on the issue. Thanks in anticipation.
Not an expert but you might want to have someone check your speedometer sensor. F dealer may call it by another name. If the sensor is going bad the trans doesn't know what to shift to so will go into a "safe" mode.
If you search in the technical section and in the old ferrarichat archives you'll see tonnes of posts on F1 transmission problems on 355s, usually requires actually a very expensive part change. Check this thread out: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85500 I know a couple of 355F1 owners that had the problem and their cars were not under warranty down here in Kuwait, cars have become driveway ornaments or just sit months on end in the aftermarket mechanic shops. Pitiful. Hope it works out. S
In the thread posted by Salman a couple of the chatter mentioned that the relays for the F1 pump were fried. That may be what is causing your F1 to act weird? It wouldn't hurt to check it out. If it does turn out that the relay is bad it would be a cheap fix. Well cheeper than buying a new pump.
