Hello, Hoping someone could give me some insight. Brought my 98' 355 F1 GTS in for the annual service (Algar in PA) and had the temp guage replaced since the temperature guage rose to max and the check engine light came on. Took her out a few days ago Fo the new season and the engine light came on again with the temp needle pinned to the max. Had over an hour drive with both lights on and she rode fine and sounded great. What could be the underlying issue? I am bringing it into Algr again. Thanks RG
Some temp gauges (VDO for example) peg to the maximum when the connection to the temp sender if broken or the sender itself goes bad. Same could be the case with Veglia gauges (the "Check Engine" light could just be telling you "bad temperature gauge sender). I suggest you have the connector to the temp gauge sender and the sender checked. It should be 39 on the diagram. Image Unavailable, Please Login
So they charged you lots of money and gave it back to you with the same problem you started with? I hope you haven't paid them.
I would call Competizione .... ask Richard. It seems to me that the dealership network has lost the knowledgable, well experience (especially on older Ferrari models) mechanics. Many are now at specialized shops and are very familiar with these problems compared to an individual that simply wants to hook the car to a computer to figure out the problems. You see ... fixing many of these older cars require THINKING....and we train people to not do that anymore in this country.
Did anyone think to test whether the car is a actually running hot before assuming the fault was in the gauge? The oil pressure and coolant temp gauges are the two most important gauges because they monitor the two most vital parameters for keeping an engine safe.
That was My thinking too! If I drive a car and the temperature needle goes into the red, no matter how old the car is, My first thought isn't: "Hmmm...... The temperature gauge must be faulty!" (actually My first thought is: "Pull over and switch it off ASAP!" but you know what I mean). Even in My old BMW, if the temperature needle went into the red and the EML light came on, I wouldn't be driving it again until I'd had the engine checked to ensure there isn't a problem with it!
If you have a good OBD2 scanner, you can have live data streaming and one of the variables will be engine temperature. That number is what the computer is seeing from its signals. That will definitely tell you where the problem is.
Ok , i'll ask the obvious question , does it return to cold after the engine cools down ? Does it gradually rise to hot ?or does it peg as soon as you turn the key?It may actually , duh , be running hot. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would look at exactly what driveitdaily just said, if it ramps up slowly and rises when driving slow or stopped then do you hear your fan kicking on? If not check the fuse, as these age they draw more current and can pop the fuse. Mine did that about a month after buying it and it got my attention.
Try Scuderia Performante. Two of the best Ferrari Techs in the world, worked for Algar, opened their own shop last year. Really nice and helpful guys. Sounds like Algar is just throwing parts at it, and not trouble shooting anything... Scuderia Performante - Independant Ferrari Service
Guys thank you for all of the guidance. The issue didn't arise again unti after I paid for the service at Algar. I am going to contact them to see if they will make it right. If not I am then going to Performante and be sure to tell them I was recommended by Ferrarichat. I do know that driving it with both warnings is like plying Russian Roulete with a Ferrari and I'm not taking that chance again.
Good call Rgio74. Let us know if Algar does the right thing... If not, I'm sure you will be very happy with Scuderia Performante.
