F1 quirk.... Parked in 1st.....then can't get to neutral to start. | FerrariChat
Buy

F1 quirk.... Parked in 1st.....then can't get to neutral to start.

Discussion in '348/355' started by Skippr1999, Aug 2, 2015.

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

  1. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,498
    #1 Skippr1999, Aug 2, 2015
    Today I tried to start my 1998 F1 after previously leaving it parked in 1st gear. Got in car, but couldn't select Neutral to start the car. It was staying in 1st.

    Turned key, disarmed alarm, pulled back on both paddles, but wouldn't go to neutral. I tried this about 5 times, then pressed the Auto mode button a few times and kept pulling on paddles. All the sudden it made it to 2nd !! Then I could get Neutral and it started !!!

    I could hear it trying to do something back there when I would pull the paddles. The pump also doesn't seem to prime immediately when I turn the key ( is this normal ?). I could hear it priming after pulling paddles and about 30 seconds had passed since turning the key.

    I've also upgraded the F1 relay this year.

    Any ideas of a cause would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. 4respy

    4respy Formula Junior

    Aug 15, 2014
    601
    los angeles
    Full Name:
    steve
    #2 4respy, Aug 3, 2015
    Hi Skipp, Im Sorry to hear that!..Im surprised it did not go back to neutral ..May not help,but try turning off the battery and turn it back on..
     
  3. tr512

    tr512 Formula 3

    Apr 12, 2007
    1,600
    canada burnaby bc
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #3 tr512, Aug 3, 2015
    Check to see if your brake lights are working
     
  4. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,498
    #4 Skippr1999, Aug 3, 2015
    They do work. I had just installed my new chalkenge grill before this happened, which involves disconnecting the third brake light. Would that effect anything ?

    Thanks for your help
     
  5. tr512

    tr512 Formula 3

    Apr 12, 2007
    1,600
    canada burnaby bc
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #5 tr512, Aug 3, 2015
    Yes.If your brake lights are not working your car will not go into gear.Also check to make sure your rear hood is shut good and that the switch is plugged in.
     
  6. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Aug 26, 2011
    17,158
    Adelaide, South Aust
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #6 Steve355F1, Aug 3, 2015
    The last thing I want to do is confuse the issue, I assume you mean something other than just the brake light bulb.

    Last year my RH brake light failed and the car continued to run perfectly - I just had to buy and install a new bulb.
     
  7. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 18, 2008
    6,016
    Indio Ca/ Alberta
    Full Name:
    Grant
    #7 taz355, Aug 3, 2015
    Check clutch fluid as well possibly your clutch has some air in it. Maybe the line has a small crack. If you can hear it trying to shift but not shifting i would suspect its more a clutch or when you parked the gears are stuck a litttle. Can happen when you are trying to shift with the engine off. Usually it corrcts itself after a few trys or move the car an inch or so to unlock the gears.
     
  8. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    23,679
    WI
    #8 WATSON, Aug 3, 2015
  9. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,498
    #9 Skippr1999, Aug 3, 2015
    Thanks guys. I've put the car in storage, so we'll see what happens next time. The suggestions you've given me have been helpful and much appreciated.
     
  10. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,498
    #10 Skippr1999, Aug 3, 2015
    It may have been that I wasn't waiting for the system to prime before trying to select neutral while the car was not running. In the past I always parked in neutral and thus just got in, turned key, hit alarm button and started the car. Then selected a gear.
     
  11. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Aug 26, 2011
    17,158
    Adelaide, South Aust
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #11 Steve355F1, Aug 3, 2015
    That could be it.

    Ferrari actually recommend you always park in 1st. If you don't you'll get the annoying warning tone when you switch the car off.

    The upshot is that when you go to start the car again you must wait for the system to prime properly before selecting neutral and starting. This could take anywhere from 15-30 seconds or so.

    Not a problem unless you're doing a bank job. :)
     
  12. tr512

    tr512 Formula 3

    Apr 12, 2007
    1,600
    canada burnaby bc
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #12 tr512, Aug 3, 2015
    Brake light switch.
     
  13. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,498
    #13 Skippr1999, Aug 3, 2015

    Where is this switch by the way ?
     
  14. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 13, 2004
    7,341
    Kzoo Michigan
    #14 phrogs, Aug 3, 2015
    If the tail light fuse is blow. The system won't shift.
    So it seems anything with the brake lights not working you won't shift.
    Any doors open?
     
  15. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,498
    #15 Skippr1999, Aug 3, 2015
    Thanks. No doors were open. Time will tell
     
  16. tr512

    tr512 Formula 3

    Apr 12, 2007
    1,600
    canada burnaby bc
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #16 tr512, Aug 4, 2015
    on top of the brake pedal
     
  17. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,498
    #17 Skippr1999, Aug 4, 2015
    Thanks very much
     
  18. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,498
    #18 Skippr1999, Aug 4, 2015
    To close this thread. Thanks for all the insight to the F1 system.

    I was simply not waiting for the pump to prime and the light to stop flashing.
     
  19. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Sep 29, 2004
    10,809
    Between timing belts/chains or West Palm Beach FL
    Full Name:
    Chas
    #19 Oengus, Aug 4, 2015
    premature primalation?
     
  20. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,498
    #20 Skippr1999, Aug 4, 2015
    I hope not ;)
     
  21. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 18, 2008
    6,016
    Indio Ca/ Alberta
    Full Name:
    Grant
    #21 taz355, Aug 4, 2015
    My system never takes even close to 30 seconds. I think if you are over twenty you should start checking stuff. My pump is 16 years old and takes 11 flashes (seconds) and 4 more to stop pumping, but will shift in 11 seconds.
     
  22. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 13, 2004
    7,341
    Kzoo Michigan
    #22 phrogs, Aug 4, 2015
    Oh I have done that I haut turn on the key and wait a while
     
  23. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Aug 26, 2011
    17,158
    Adelaide, South Aust
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #23 Steve355F1, Aug 5, 2015
    I wasn't intending to be exact about the timing, but just wanted to make the point that you must wait for the system to prime properly.

    You're right, it shouldn't take 30 seconds.

    I just went out and timed mine. The car hasn't been driven in over a week and it took 13 seconds for the light to stop flashing and the pump stopped 3 or 4 seconds after that.
    When the car is "warm" it is much faster, but you still must wait.
     

Share This Page