Cold start sputter | FerrariChat
Buy

Cold start sputter

Discussion in '308/328' started by pappy.72, May 30, 2021.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. pappy.72

    pappy.72 Formula Junior

    Nov 13, 2010
    536
    Elgin, IL
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #1 pappy.72, May 30, 2021
    I have an 89 328 that has an issue. Every now and then when I would start the car it would sputter a little and idle low, then either after a little while (10-20 seconds) or shutting it off and restarting it the car would settle in and run normal. Today when I started the car it did the sputtering thing with low idle and I could not get it to run normal. It starts instantly, but won’t idle normal and when you give it gas it will stumble and sputter. Any ideas on what to look for? Could this be the auxiliary air valve? I checked the normal stuff like plug wires, loose vacuum lines, battery fully charged, etc. Any help appreciated.
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,822
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, May 30, 2021
    Assuming it's a US version (since you are in IL), that seems like a symptom of the protection relay sometimes not working and then working OK. The frequency valve should always be vibrating whenever the engine is running (and it will only vibrate when the protection relay is working). Just by touching the frequency valve during the good running and the bad running, you should be able to tell if it is vibrating during the good running and not vibrating during the bad running. If so = need to investigate the protection relay's operation.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  3. pappy.72

    pappy.72 Formula Junior

    Nov 13, 2010
    536
    Elgin, IL
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #3 pappy.72, Jun 2, 2021
    So I removed the protection relay and it had a rattle noise when I shook it a little. I then hooked it up to 12v and it took a couple of connections to cycle the relay switch. Check it with my ohm meter and it seems to work after cycling it. I cycled it on and off several times with the battery connection and the put it back in the car. The car started right up and idled normal and ran perfect again. I removed the fuse on the relay while it was running and it went back to the poor running state. Looks like the protection relay is the issue. I ordered a new relay from Pelican Parts for $100 and hopefully that does the trick. Thanks for the help! Anything else to look out for other than loose wires and hoses. All the wiring in the back looked brand new and no corrosion anywhere around the relay board. FYI the relay was from 10/88 so I assume it was original to the car. “Made in West Germany”
     
    ginoBBi512 likes this.
  4. pappy.72

    pappy.72 Formula Junior

    Nov 13, 2010
    536
    Elgin, IL
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #4 pappy.72, Jun 10, 2021
    Got the new relay in. Installed it and it runs great again. Thanks for the help! Nothing like a $100 easy fix in a Ferrari. :)
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,822
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #5 Steve Magnusson, Jun 10, 2021
    Glad that you go it sorted -- and be thankful that someone who didn't know the system didn't turn every adjustment screw in every possible direction trying to "fix" it ;) (we've had that happen).
     
    308 milano likes this.
  6. Loudoun_Prime

    Loudoun_Prime Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 10, 2020
    47
    Aldie, VA
    Full Name:
    Doug Magee
    #6 Loudoun_Prime, Sep 1, 2024
    Thanks so much for this post - I was experiencing same problem on my 87 328 (US spec) and had a relay sitting in my garage from a Porsche 928 - part number 92861512402 - swapped it and voila - problem fixed - 10 mins!
     

Share This Page