360 - Check Engine Light (Used search function on fchat)

Tow it to the dealership. They can hook it up to the computer to confirm if there is a problem. I would not drive it if you hear a funny noise....

 

if you hear ANY unusual noise emanating from the engine compartment (rythmic ticking, pinging, banging, etc.) shut it off and take it for diagnosing at your service provider.

If you only have a CEL (check engine light), with no power loss, gauges read normal and the engine feels smooth and revs normally, you are probably safe to drive it in for service.

 

Without knowing what code the computer is wanting to warn you about, I'd say the only safe way to proceed is to have the car towed to a dealer so they can hook up the diagnostics.

Alternatively, you could go to your local auto parts store and buy a $60.00 OBDII scanner to read the code yourself. I bought mine at Advance Auto Parts. It plugs into the port under the dash on the driver side. Then you can at least find out if the car is complaining of something serious or something trivial. To be honest, the fact that you hear a noise makes me feel that you should just have it towed in. The OBDII scanner is good to have for future use, but the noise issue is scary and is likely a problem you can't fix yourself if you aren't familiar with working on cars. In fact, there is very little on the 360 that I fix myself. Would love to hear what code the dealer pulls from the computer when you find out.


Lou

 

Had the same issue. Did not have a noise though. Turned the battery switch off for 20 seconds. Then turned it back on (check the manual as you may have to leave the key in position II when you turn it back on (I forgot). Light issue went away. Obviously a reset worked on this occasion.

Best of luck
Jon

 

If you turn off the light, you are masking the symptom and ignoring the problem. It is best to find out what the real problem is. Sometimes, the problem can be a one-off issue and it becomes indeed appropriate to clear it and see if it comes back, but I wouldn't do this until after I've read the code.


Lou

 

Question - are you guys saying to tow it because of the belt noise he describes or the CEL? I don't see any reason to have it towed just for the CEL, but the noise maybe. Thanks.

 

I wouldn't negate the importance of a check engine light which ultimately could cost several thousands in repairs. Remember, the warning lights are just that and there for a reason.

 

What is the issue that can arise with the gas cap?
regards, A

ps
My check light came on earlier this month, fortunately the day it was due in for its annual service. Needed a new air flow meter.

 

I think that generalization is a bit too broad. For example, for cars with aftermarket
exhaust or aftermarket cats, it is common to have an O2 sensor fault. Even without
an aftermarket exhaust, the precats could go bad and cause a bad O2 reading.
Also, as these cars get more miles on them, it would not be a surprise to see more
cases of A/F meter replacements. For my cars, the multiple faults I've seen over the
years have been O2 sensor (Ferrari and my M5), MAF (on my M5), misfire detection (on my M5),
and malfunctioning thermostat (on my VAN, and on my OBDI Mondial T), valve issue
(on my Eclipse). I have never had a case of a loose gas cap,
though I don't doubt that sometimes this happens also.

It is unfortuate, in my opinion, that the check engine light can come on for trivial
as well as important issues and there is no way to tell them apart without reading
the codes. Luckily the scanners are inexpensive and worth having in your
tool kit (IMHO). Ultimately one would hope that the newer high-end cars will
display the code and translation directly since the electronics to do this are
pretty cheap.


Lou

 

Lou,

They're hardly likely to do that, when they can cause panic in the average owner, and have him running straight to the dealer, to be financially purged.

 

Yah, I just had my check engine light come on about 30 minutes ago in my 360 - which is too bad since it just came back from the shop a few days ago after about $15,000 worth of extended warranty covered repairs - which took nearly a month to complete. I filled her up yesterday with gas, so it could be the cap, but I screwed it on really tight after filling it so that would seem strange. Also, I forgot to press the fob before starting and had to turn the key back, press the fob immobilizer and then start again. Hopefully the light is related to one of those issues. The service manager at the Ferrari shop said not to worry too much about orange warning lights....just the lights in the main display area. The last time I had a CEL come on, I received a SLOW DOWN message in the driver display several days later and needed to get it towed in - for those aforementioned repairs. They believe the problem was a faulty valve that was replaced. (It also needed a bunch of other things as well to fix other issues related to the F1 system.) Ferraris!

 

About one week ago, i had my CEL come on after i hit a bump in the road. My car still drives perfect, just that damn light is on. Does anyone know what the problem might be (i know its hard to know what the problem is but who knows)?