First issue with the Scud - solved with reboot : )

So went for a drive this weekend with my bro-in-law - he in the scud and me in my m3. About an hour into the drive, as he was merging on the highway, he got the "slow down" message on the dash. We met up in the parking lot and it sounded to me like the air pump/compressor was running at idle - 3 times every time you brought the car to a stop. The RPMs would visibly drop during this time. At first I though it was the engine, but listening closer it definitely sounded like an air compressor/secondary motor.

So we swapped cars and I drove the scud down one exit. It was obviously in limp mode as it had no juice whatsoever - cutting fuel I assume, and per the manual this is what it will do in "slow down" mode. Also got the "slow down" again on the highway even though I was only going 65 or so and not doing anything that would cause heat. Came to a stop and heard the air pump running again. I assume this is logic to cool the cats in the case they are overheated? All temperatures and pressure normal - coolant, oil temp, oil pressure.

In any event, turned it off, turned it back on - no issues. Full power and drove it another 2 times for around 30 mins and it was perfect.

Did a bunch of searching and it sounds like it is either just an electrical anomaly or a failing thermocoupler. I suppose it is possible that the driving also shot something out of the cat and onto the sensor - super heating it. It was around 80F out and we were driving for sure, but nothing that would result in overheating. I'll also throw an infrared thermometer in the car for future drives so I can pop out and check the temp in the case it happens again. I do not believe the engine/exhaust was hot - if it were that far out of spec, would expect to see oil temp also climb with very hot EGT's.

Anyway, just wanted to pass on the info in case anyone has this issue in the future.

Just cracked 11k miles on the subsequent trip. : )

Later!

 

Hard to say. There could be a stored code in the ECU, but not a check engine light. I'm going to hook up a scanner later and see if there are any on mine. Each manufacturer typically has some proprietary areas to the ECU as well which may require a Ferrari specific hardware software tool like the "SD2" that dealers have in their workshops.

I mean it does say in the manual to avoid doing any inputs during the start-up sequence - because it is calibrating things. In fact, it even wants to calibrate the traction control, etc after starting and as you drive away. Of course, the manual does not state what will happen if this is not done correctly - so who knows ; )

On my M3, I started it once like the 5th week of ownership and everything went nuts - every warning in the book. I thought, oh man, wonder what that was; rebooted it; never happened again. Sometimes computers do weird things.

When I drove a scud at the track a couple years ago, I accidentally double up-shifted the transmission (was too excited ; )). It went into neutral. I flipped back to first gear and floored it - no power at all. Instructor reached across and turned it off and on, and it was good to go. Romped on it for 5 hard laps and no issues. I think these things are just really sensitive.

 

FYI - confirmed there are no stored codes.

After speaking with my bro-in-law more, I think he may have been driving in "safe mode" the entire time. I kind of laughed at him that he didn't realize how fast a 500HP/3k lb car should be : P

Anyway, I used an iphone5 with app "Dash Command" and my existing wifi-obd2 "bmwhat" adapter. Also shows readiness tests for emissions.

Dashcommand:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dashcommand-obd-ii-gauge-dashboards/id321293183?mt=8

Link to adapter I used:

Apps for BMW DTC and OBD Diagnosis and Webasto Thermo Call Heater

I've put about another 200 miles on since then and the car has been flawless. Perhaps the scud does have a soul and knew that the full power was too much for him ; ) Next time I will ride shotgun to give him some coaching and monitor.

Have a good one out there. Raining here in Pittsburgh; looking like a garage day ; )

 

There is no check-engine, so I'm not concerned. Also, if you search, many people with similar issues for various reasons and no real issue. Simplest cause is not waiting for "check ok" before attempting to start. Closest dealer is also 3 hours - and not a fun drive...pretty boring through Ohio - lots of laser.

I bought the car at Ferrari of SF and it has the Ferrari power normal warranty, off a fresh service as well and I know all the % on consumables. Don't have any additional questions on history honestly.

 

Great to hear! Yes, the experience was awesome from beginning to end! I enjoyed it so much that I'm hoping to attend some of their events next year : )

 

So after speaking with Ferrari of SF, they believe this was not "safe mode" but rather the engine running on only 4 cylinders. They say they have seen this, although it is pretty rare. Apparently it is possible for only half the sensors to initialize and you will end up in this scenario. Remedy, they confirmed, is to shut down the car, and restart.

Just wanted to close the loop on this!