help, "SLOW DOWN" light flashing on 355 | FerrariChat

help, "SLOW DOWN" light flashing on 355

Discussion in '348/355' started by TG3, May 22, 2005.

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  1. TG3

    TG3 Karting

    Mar 27, 2005
    70
    New Orleans, LA
    Full Name:
    Teddy Solomon III
    I washed and waxed my 355 yesterday. Last night I went to drive it and immediately when I cranked it the "slow down" light began flashing. I noticed a lot of steam coming out of the engine bay. It appeared to be mostly coming out of my left side manifold(which was just replaced 2 weeks ago). Any ideas anyone?
     
  2. udalmia

    udalmia Guest

    what is that depressing picture in your profile? :(
     
  3. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Teddy -

    If you washed the engine, or got a lot of water in the engine area, it's possible your exhaust ECU on the left side is going on the fritz. As the silicone seal gets brittle with age it'll crack and, steam or water can get into the ECU. It then inadvertantly throws a Check Engine light. Newer ECU's have a different silicone on them. (thanks Ferrarioldman for showing me this!!)

    Let everything dry out nice and good -- maybe even spray a little WD40 (Water Displacement!) when things are cool. Then, fire it up and see what happens. Before getting too nervious, swap the ECU's from side to side and determine if the problem "follows" the bad ECU.

    Just my 2-cents.

    -Daniel
     
  4. TG3

    TG3 Karting

    Mar 27, 2005
    70
    New Orleans, LA
    Full Name:
    Teddy Solomon III
    I just got my dream car 355 first ferrari a month ago. 2 weeks to the day after I had it I was rear ended by a DWI kid (story in thread titled "HELP! rear ended by a drunk kid"). Anyway, my cats and left side manifold were replaced and new TUBI. Car drove fine for a week or so and then a couple of days ago my temp guage went bad. It works for a second or two and then drops back dead to the left and then jumps back up and dies again over and over. The only other thing I seem to have noticed different at the same time the temp guage went is that my temp seems to be running a little LOWER than normal. This has been the last few days. Then, yesterday I washed the car and last night as soon as I cranked it the "slow down" light began flashing(see initial post). Help Please? What is the deal?

    Thanks, Teddy
     
  5. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 15, 2004
    3,018
    MeSoNeedy, CA
    Full Name:
    TorQ Master
    ....nothing that money can't fix ;)

    Try the WD-40 thing and see if things dry-out. If not....take it to a mechanic and let them exchange money for renewed happiness.

    I can relate to what you are going through. When something isn't right you get very frustrated and want answers really fast. I have a mysterious "Air Bag" light that intermitendtly goes on & off. The dealer "reset" the fault and it was off. Then as they backed it out of the shop it went back on. Then on the drive home is went off and stayed off for a month. Now it's back on, but last night I noticed it was off.

    I'm sure your thing is water-related and hopefully not too expensive or elaborate to repair. Good luck. Oh....you may want to go out and find a beautiful woman and have some fun with her. I don't think this will help your 355 situation...but ya know.....it couldn't hurt....
     
  6. TG3

    TG3 Karting

    Mar 27, 2005
    70
    New Orleans, LA
    Full Name:
    Teddy Solomon III

    That is the best reply to a post I have ever heard! Thanks, Teddy
     
  7. robert biscan

    robert biscan F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 17, 2003
    5,082
    Nashville and Palm b
    Full Name:
    robert s biscan
    I had that happen on my old TR and it was an ecu that was cracked. I suspect that the engine is fine but the water shorted out the electical sensor. It will not dry out and will need replacing.
     
  8. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 15, 2004
    3,018
    MeSoNeedy, CA
    Full Name:
    TorQ Master
    Teddy,

    Could you send me a larger pic of the one you are currently using for your avatar...I need it, for...uh...artisitic purposes....

    [email protected]
     

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