Slow Down Lights | FerrariChat

Slow Down Lights

Discussion in '348/355' started by Aeroengineman, Sep 20, 2007.

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  1. Aeroengineman

    Aeroengineman Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2003
    897
    Maple Valley, WA
    Full Name:
    Dave Tegeler
    Maybe this has been addressed, but my "slow down light" keeps coming on with no CAT overheat. I've done everything as far as replacing CAT temp ECUs and the problem persists. The light comes on cold engine either solid or blinking. when it comes on solid after a few minutes it shuts down the left bank. I performed duplicate tests of the voltage being emitted by the three ECUs to the Motronic 5.2 and it is text-book at 0.51 volts with the engine cold. The SD2 confirms all CAT temperatures are within range. All three ECUs are reading perfectly and 0.50-0.51 Volts. I drove it to Ferrari of Seattle about 25 miles with the problem running on 1 bank of cylindars and they confirmed the Motronic shut down the left bank because all those readings were cold. Ferrari of Seattle says there are some other boxes on this circuit behind the dash they are going to study as a potential source of of significant voltage to shut down the engine through the ECU circuit and turn on the Slow Down lights. Has anybody had this poblem?
     
  2. mseals

    mseals Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 9, 2007
    24,468
    Kuwait
    Full Name:
    Mike Seals
    As Ernie and No Doubt would say.... "PULL THE CODES!"
     
  3. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    29,201
    socal
    What happens when you totally disable that circuit? then you many not have to open up the dash. its a mess in there
     
  4. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    Yours wouldn't be the first thermocouple to break or short. Anyway, you should be able to leave the exhaust ecus plugged in, but disconnect the thermocouples (they just plug in to the exhaust ECU) for a quick test.

    If the ECU's no longer illuminate your SLOW DOWN warning, then you've isolated the problem to your thermocouples on your cats.

    If not, then the problem is down stream (e.g. in the exhaust ECU's, wiring, or Motronic).

    The above should only be a quick test, however. I'm a believer in having those circuits being fully functional outside of a quick test.


    Also, you should have a fire extinguisher in your engine bay. Any extinguisher is better than none.
     
  5. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    If your problem is a floating voltage issue, then it could be related to a bad, insufficient, or missing ground cable to your engine/tranny from the chassis.

    Worth double-checking your cables down there, I'd think.



    Does your car exhibit any unusual current drain with the engine off?

    Do you have any abnormal electrolosis in your radiators?

    Any unusual sparks or electrical nuances?
     
  6. Aeroengineman

    Aeroengineman Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2003
    897
    Maple Valley, WA
    Full Name:
    Dave Tegeler
    The Motronic has to be getting something in the range of a 5V signal to shut down one bank of cylinders, but in the back of the car going to the Motronic, I can only read 0.5V right on spec going to the Motronic out of the three T/C ECUs.

    I've also checked the ground between the motronic and the cable to the Clutch pumpkin and there is zero volts.

    No unusal drain on current.

    No electrolisis - sparks etc. With Slow Down flashing at the dealer, we swapped the Motronic - I have mod standard 004 (the latest) we put in a Mod 002 and the Slow Down continued to flash the way it was with the different Motronic. We thus ruled out the Motronic.
     
  7. Aeroengineman

    Aeroengineman Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2003
    897
    Maple Valley, WA
    Full Name:
    Dave Tegeler
    See my other post today - Ferrari of Seattle (best mechanic in the area) found a bent pin and broken wire in a connector down stream from the CAT ECUs to the Main ECU.
     
  8. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,620
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    Glad to hear it got fixed, and thanks for the update.
     
  9. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,053
    USA
    Mark Glenwood at FoS, is a true master Ferrari technician! Glad to hear it is resolved Dave.
     

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