Wow, my first ever 550 electrical problem... | FerrariChat
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Wow, my first ever 550 electrical problem...

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by maranelloman, Jun 14, 2004.

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  1. maranelloman

    maranelloman Guest

    #1 maranelloman, Jun 14, 2004
    My 2000 model year Maranello, which will be 4 years old next month, has 20,000 miles. This past weekend, it appears that it suffered some sort of wheel speed sensor failure. The "Brake" warning light in the upper left dash came on (not the "Park" light indicating the parking brake) for the first time ever, concurrent with the speedometer ceasing to function. In addition, the speed sensitive function of the stereo stopped working at the same time (I was on the highway). Then, after several engine off/engine on cycles, the suspension warning light in the center info center came on (the pictograph with the triangles under the tires). Then, on the next start cycle, the Check Engine light came on (yellow, not blinking). All of these functions--brake/ABS, stereo, speedo, and suspension--are dependent on data from wheel speed sensors. Car ran fine, but I was unable to turn on Sport mode, and the suspension didn't hunker down at speed. I guess everything reverts to manual/full soft when there is a fault.

    Anyone else have this happen? I hope it's just dirt interfering with one of the sensors.

    Damn electronics...
     
  2. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    52,480
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    #2 wax, Jun 14, 2004
    I may be talking out of my arse, but don't you dare drive it until you know what's up, young man. Wouldn't want you to be unpleasantly surprised by change in stopping power under these circumstances.
     
  3. AEHaas

    AEHaas Formula 3

    May 9, 2003
    1,465
    Osprey, Florida
    Full Name:
    Ali E. Haas
    #3 AEHaas, Jun 14, 2004
    Have you recently put a charger on your battery. This may be an overvoltage episode.

    aehaas
     
  4. maranelloman

    maranelloman Guest

    #4 maranelloman, Jun 14, 2004
    Ali, no, I have not. No changes ot the car whatsoever recently. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

    Tom, I actually did drive it, and it was fine. Brakes worked great...but I suspect that I had no ABS.
     
  5. Ferrari_tech

    Ferrari_tech Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2003
    1,527
    UK
    Full Name:
    Malcolm W
    #5 Ferrari_tech, Jun 14, 2004
    More than likely one of the wheel sensors, or dirt in the connection to the sensor, however it could be something more serious.

    The only way of being sure would be to have your local dealer put the car on their Ferrari SD2 tester, which will pinpoint the fault - should take about an hour to complete the whole test.


    MW
     
  6. maranelloman

    maranelloman Guest

    #6 maranelloman, Jun 14, 2004

    Malcolm. They will be sending a trailer for the car this week.
     
  7. Ferrari_tech

    Ferrari_tech Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2003
    1,527
    UK
    Full Name:
    Malcolm W
    #7 Ferrari_tech, Jun 14, 2004
    Good, please keep us posted on their findings.


    MW
     
  8. F550kid

    F550kid Karting

    Nov 2, 2003
    234
    uk
    Full Name:
    zak
    #8 F550kid, Jun 14, 2004
    Hi there,

    when you put sport mode on do you notice an immediate change in the suspension feel or is this something you can detect only at speed. Ive switched sport mode on a few times at moderate speed but didnt really notice ant change in the feel of suspension. I thought there may be an obvious tightening of the ride?

    zak
     
  9. maranelloman

    maranelloman Guest

    #9 maranelloman, Jun 14, 2004

    Great question. In my experience, you do not notice anything at street speeds. You do notice a firming up of road feel, and a lessening of body roll, in faster corners & sweeping curves. In addition, there are 2 other noticeable changes: (1) the ASR (if you have it on) allows significantly more wheelspin before intervening; and (2) when the ASR does intervene, it does so by using the rear brakes rather than cutting engine power, if I recall
    correctly.

    Hope that answers your question!
     
  10. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
    #10 Doody, Jun 14, 2004
    i concur. i only notice a diff with sport mode at speed.

    doody.
     
  11. F550kid

    F550kid Karting

    Nov 2, 2003
    234
    uk
    Full Name:
    zak
    #11 F550kid, Jun 14, 2004

    Hi,

    Ok thks, I haven't tracked mine yet so I guess thats what I need to do to get a sense of changes. Unfortunately my tubi straight pipes are too loud for all the tracks here.
     

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