550 drivers carpet stuck up under gas pedal? | FerrariChat
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550 drivers carpet stuck up under gas pedal?

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by goldyF355, May 27, 2006.

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  1. goldyF355

    goldyF355 Formula 3

    May 30, 2004
    1,408
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Steve G.
    #1 goldyF355, May 27, 2006
    This might just about be the dumbest question of all time,...but has this happened to anyone else here??

    It was a glorious day today, and I had the opportunity to take the 550 for an extended 3 hr. long cruise. Car was performing very smoothly and stongly, right up until the last half hour of the cruise. I then noticed a weird "resistance" or slight power drop-off in light throttle modulation...sort of came and went, I almost thought I was imagining it. Then, from a "spirited" take-off from a stop light, I felt a very noticable jerkiness/hesitation in the power application....almost as if I was hitting the brake at the same time as I was giving it gas...weird!
    The problem progressivly got worse, mostly at light modulation and take-offs in 1st and 2nd...although it seems I could "force" my way through the power loss by applying extra throttle pressure. Let me (of course) confirm that during this entire ordeal no "check engine" slow down" or any other lights were on, as well as all fluids and temperatures were at optimum levels.
    It was now that I started to suspect that perhaps my front carpet had gotten wedged underneath my gas pedal, causing me to have to "fight" my way towards decent throttle position, which would in turn cause the jerkiness and hesitation I felt.

    When I got home, I immediatley checked my carpet placement, and indeed, it was up much farther than I had ever seen it before...I ended up securing it back in its normal place.

    I know that this sort of problem was very common with 355s, but Ive never heard of (or experienced) it on a Maranello. Scared the crap out of me, it felt like a very "expensive" engine malfunction to say the least!!

    Has anyone else experienced this? At least it would help me confirm my "diagnosis"...and sleep better too!!
     
  2. nerd

    nerd F1 Rookie

    Oct 12, 2003
    2,535
    Coronado, CA
    Full Name:
    RSK
    #2 nerd, May 27, 2006
    No similar problem on my 550, but my 328 had carpet cruise control which manifested itself as a stuck throttle.......yow!
     
  3. 550Bryan

    550Bryan Rookie

    Apr 27, 2005
    19
    #3 550Bryan, May 27, 2006
    Had the mat on my 98 550 get stuck on my gas peddle resulting in a wide open throttle ( leaving a light early in the morning with fortunately light traffic). I had to turn off the ignition and was able to pull of the road. I didn't realize at the time it was my mat, but before I tried to restart the car I feld down around the mat and the pedal sprung free. I have Collins mats and they were not attached to the floor. They are now!
     
  4. goldyF355

    goldyF355 Formula 3

    May 30, 2004
    1,408
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Steve G.
    #4 goldyF355, May 28, 2006
    Well,...took her out for a 3/4 hr test run, made sure carpets were at their perscribed position, and couldnt get a repeat performance of the herky-jerkys.

    Looks like it was alot of worry for nothing, and moving the carpet did seem to fix the problem....
     
  5. 575M-Nero

    575M-Nero Formula Junior

    Feb 25, 2006
    524
    #5 575M-Nero, May 28, 2006
    Ya, bit of a loose fit.
    Loose so you can access the computers and other things under there I guess.

    Might want to invest in a bit of velcro.
    I should do the same.
    Seems to come loose in the left driver foot rest area.
     
  6. Mbutner

    Mbutner Formula 3

    Aug 11, 2005
    1,689
    Bay Area / Washington DC
    Full Name:
    Quick Draw
    #6 Mbutner, Jun 20, 2006
    This is why on track days, guys take the carpets out of the car...
     
  7. 550Bryan

    550Bryan Rookie

    Apr 27, 2005
    19
    #7 550Bryan, Jul 12, 2006
    Drivring my 550 one morning I was accelerating from a light at full trottle when the throttle decided to stick fully open! Fortunately the traffic was very light ( that's why I could get away with driving that way). I was able to shut off the ignition and pull off the road (interesting withourt power steering). when thart car was stopped, I reached down around the gas peddle and had it "pop" back up into place. I foung my Keith Collins mat had moved way forward causing the throttle to stick fully open. I was able to cut a small slit in the mats and attach them to the taps for the stock mats. Generally a scary experience!
     
  8. Fly'n DutchMan

    Fly'n DutchMan Karting

    Oct 4, 2005
    248
    Agoura Hills CA
    Full Name:
    Sander Brouwers
    #8 Fly'n DutchMan, Aug 13, 2006
    yeah...not fun...happened to me pulling a car out of the show room the other day. Just killed the ignition.
     
  9. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 14, 2003
    61,137
    In front of you
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    BCHC
    #9 darth550, Aug 14, 2006
    I never had that problem with any of my 550s.
     
  10. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    35,532
    Victory Circle
    Full Name:
    HUBBSTER
    #10 WILLIAM H, Aug 14, 2006
    Yes, happened in an International truck I used to own & in the Slutmobile when I 1st got her, easy fix
     
  11. Nicke

    Nicke Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2005
    528
    Hellsinki
    Full Name:
    Nicke Forsell
    #11 Nicke, Aug 14, 2006
    Yes, and then there is the risk of the carpet to travel under the brake pedal - thats scary.

    nerd - you made my day ! ...carpet cruise control... LOL !
     

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