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Starter motor on 550

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Michael Sundler, Aug 6, 2022.

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  1. Michael Sundler

    Michael Sundler Rookie

    Sep 22, 2018
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    Michael Sundler
    #1 Michael Sundler, Aug 6, 2022
    Wonder if anybody can help with my 550 starter problem. On inserting the ignition key and depressing the immobilizer button on the fob, all dashboard lights come on as appropriate, followed by the green “OK” message. However further turning of the key to the start position fails to cause the starter motor to respond. Normally I would assume this to be a problem with the starter relay, but before pulling things apart I wonder if anybody could confirm this diagnosis - and give me a clue how to find and access the motor and it’s relay! Thanks for any help!
     
  2. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,175
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    Terry H Phillips
    #2 tazandjan, Aug 6, 2022
    Cheapest thing is to change out your fob battery or try another fob. On the 550, if the immobilizer is armed, she will not turn over. On the 575M, she will turn over, but will not start.
     

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  3. Michael Sundler

    Michael Sundler Rookie

    Sep 22, 2018
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    Michael Sundler
    #3 Michael Sundler, Aug 6, 2022
    Thank you. I have tried the other fobs including the red one, but no difference.
     
  4. Konadog06

    Konadog06 Formula Junior

    Aug 22, 2007
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    Bill
    #4 Konadog06, Aug 6, 2022
    I would make sure the fob batteries are fresh, and how about the car battery, how old? Even some seemingly fully charged older batteries won’t make a Maranello happy. Then there is the alarm battery. I would trouble shoot these areas long before digging into a starter unless you are able to diagnose the electrical system properly.
    Bill
    FL
     
  5. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    29,017
    socal
    #5 fatbillybob, Aug 6, 2022
    Strangely I have changed batteries and still had a FOB failure. Then I used my PIN to start and get home. Once home I'm jiggling the FOB and now it works! Yes I bent the pins in to get good contact. Sometimes your Ferrari hates you.

    To the OP next step put a stick or better a metal pipe on the starter motor case and wack it with a hammer. Then try key...sometimes you get lucky. Listen carefully, a click from passenger footwell is a relay and click in engine bay with no motor turning is bad solinoid. No click in engine bay can be bad soliniod bad starter, wiring etc...
     
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  6. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Ian Riddell
    #6 Qavion, Aug 6, 2022
    The relay is found near the right hand bank Motronic ECU which is behind the carpet just forward of the door pillar.

    "X" marks the spot

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    The above photo shows a diagnostic scanner plugged in the ECU's diagnostic port.

    Here's a photo of the (Bosch) starter relay

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    I don't think relays fail all that often, but it's easy to swap with another relay with the same part number (Bosch 0 332 019 103).
     
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  7. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    Barry Wolinsky
    #7 308 GTB, Aug 6, 2022
    :)

    That's one way to fix a dead spot in the starter motor. Another way is to put the car in first gear and push the car forward and back a couple of times and then try starting the car.
     
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  8. Michael Sundler

    Michael Sundler Rookie

    Sep 22, 2018
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    Michael Sundler
    #8 Michael Sundler, Aug 18, 2022
    Gentlemen, I am so grateful to you all for your helpful comments and suggestions. Clearly, the whole system is very sensitive to various voltages, I made sure the car battery was fully charged, changed the fob battery and it now APPEARS to be resolved. Again my thanks for steering me away from the starter motor!
     
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  9. Michael Sundler

    Michael Sundler Rookie

    Sep 22, 2018
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    Michael Sundler
    #9 Michael Sundler, Apr 14, 2023
    I think I have finally resolved this issue and, as many of you suggested, it seems to be the fob! One learning for me is that even though the red LED on the fob illuminates when the button is depressed, it doesn’t mean that the fob is emitting any or sufficient power to disengage the immobilizer. Thank you all again for your invaluable guidance.
     
    Ferrari55whoa and Qavion like this.
  10. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 19, 2008
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    Terry H Phillips
    #10 tazandjan, Apr 14, 2023
    I got tired of changing the batteries every 6-12 months and Mark at ferrarifobs.com sold me a set of three fobs powered by lithium watch batteries. He also has combination fobs like the F430 that have key and fob combined for our earlier Ferraris.
     
    F456M likes this.

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