F1 acting up in 6th gear

Last weekend I did a 100 mile round trip on the highway. Once on trip up and back, while cruising at about 80 mph in 6th gear the red transmission fault light came on and the "6" gear light in the tach flashed on and off.........Car seemed to have slipped out of gear. Both times after about 5-10 seconds I downshifted to 5th which engaged, the transmission fault light went out and car shifted back into 6th and I continued my journey without a problem. I know these italian cars can be tempremental but this scared me.

NOTES: No excessive heat, normal operating conditions for highway driving in FL. Major service less than 800 miles ago: F1 checked and clutch wear was reported as between 0% and 45%........ I have 35,000 miles on the car but its well taken care of, but this is the same clutch for the past 10 years and 26,000 miles. Any suggestions?

 

If it's a clutch issue I have no idea, but I have *extensive* experience and bills to prove it with a *solid* F1 light in various gears. Car gets 'stuck in gear' (search my earlier posts for this) which is not an easy nor cheap fix from what I found.

Flashing F1 light seems to be a better problem in which it can be pump or clutch; both can be remedied easier.

 

I checked the fluid and its not full enough to show on the dipstick. Needs topping off I think. I will drive down to dealership and try this.

 

NOoooo dont top it off to the dipstick level... Noooooo

Its supposed to be somethign like 5mm from the metal disk at the bottom, long ways from the dipstick.

I don't have it handy but someone will post the procedure and i will tonight if no one has.

 

Mike
So what is the function of the dipstick?
Alan

 

I think it was a mistake that they put the dipstick in and changed the procedure later.

Thanks to Taz, here is the info on filling/checking the F1 reservoir.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/139767598-post4.html

Note the last part on the last page, "no longer use the dipstick"

 

Sounds like you are losing pressure which prompted the transmission light to flash. I had this issue on my 355 because it was a failing pump. I then had a 360 pump retrofitted and that solved the problem. Maybe your pump is getting ready to quit on you. Could be something else though like a slipping clutch. Check your clutch wear.

 

Thanks Mike. I guess it's not a typical driveway top up now unless you can actually look down inside the tank and see if the oil level is at the disc. Maybe difficult as the tank is under the rear fender -- maybe a light and a mirror?
Alan