360 engine light

colonel1961 · 02-08-2009, 10:28 AM

I have a quick question:

The engine light (yellow) came on last night on my '04 360. ~1,850 original miles and it seems odd/early for this event, true? The manual said get it to the dealer.

Ideas/comments/suggestions (other than the obvious).

Much thanks!

Lambo65 · 02-08-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonel1961

I have a quick question:

The engine light (yellow) came on last night on my '04 360. ~1,850 original miles and it seems odd/early for this event, true? The manual said get it to the dealer.

Ideas/comments/suggestions (other than the obvious).

Much thanks!

That happened to me before. Try to turn the electronic system off from the front bonnet (battery cut off switch). Turn it back on in thirty minutes. Drive it for fifteen miles or so. That should correct the problem. Check your gas cap and see if it is tight. That was the cause of it for me. Another cause of it could be if your car have been sitting in the cold for some time. If that does not work, take it to the dealer.

Boxer · 02-08-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonel1961

I have a quick question:

The engine light (yellow) came on last night on my '04 360. ~1,850 original miles and it seems odd/early for this event, true? The manual said get it to the dealer.

Ideas/comments/suggestions (other than the obvious).

Much thanks!

Quite odd. Could be a whole host of causes from a bad spark plug to loose wire to a bad cat.

Might also jsut be a false warning. Suggest you kill the battery (switch is in the front luggage compartment). Let it sit for a few mintues, turn the battery back on, then start the car and let it idle on leave ground for 10 minutes. See if this clears it.

I would also check the connections on the cat sensors. Make sure they are not loose or that moisture has not gotten into them.

Gcalo can probably give you more insights.

Gcalo · 02-08-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonel1961

I have a quick question:

The engine light (yellow) came on last night on my '04 360. ~1,850 original miles and it seems odd/early for this event, true? The manual said get it to the dealer.

Ideas/comments/suggestions (other than the obvious).

Did you get gas just before the light came on?

Very common to get when fuel cap is not fully tightened.

Have your radio code handy when you reset the battery switch.

colonel1961 · 02-09-2009, 04:57 AM

Wow - thanks to you all. I had not filled up recently, but I will try the gas cap and other items before sending it off to Atlanta...

Much thanks for all the comments.

colonel1961 · 02-09-2009, 06:29 AM

Allright. I tried the gas cap idea and made sure it was sealed completely. When I cranked the engine it sounded very lame, for lack of a better term.

Looks like a dealer trip is in my future...

Gcalo · 02-09-2009, 08:29 AM

It sounds to me as if you may need a new battery.

Ferrari batteries are notoriously poor.

Get an Interstate MTP-91 and that will crank like a rocketship!

colonel1961 · 02-09-2009, 09:06 AM

Thanks, Gcalo. It cranked just fine, the engine sounded lame during idle and slight rev.

Thanks,
Paul

Boxer · 02-09-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonel1961

Thanks, Gcalo. It cranked just fine, the engine sounded lame during idle and slight rev.

Thanks,
Paul

Try cutting the battery off and then turn it back on after 5 minutes. This will reboot the engine management system.

Gcalo · 02-09-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonel1961

Thanks, Gcalo. It cranked just fine, the engine sounded lame during idle and slight rev.

I assumed your reference was to the manner of cranking.

I think you need to let that car run for a while.

colonel1961 · 02-09-2009, 03:26 PM

Thanks Boxer and Gcalo - will try and work up the nerve to perform the task!

Sincerely,
Col.

Gcalo · 02-09-2009, 03:42 PM

If you are going to changethe battery yourself, here are a few suggestions:

a) turn the battery switch off in the trunk
b) remove the foot rest passenger side.
c) you'll see a metal bar behind the footrest that supports it. Make sure to tie that up out of the way as it can come in contact with the + terminal of the battery and make a mess!
d) the MTP-91 is not a 100% replacement. You'll ahve to play with the front metal securing strip to get it to fit rigt. Not an impossible task. Just be careful, take your time, and make sure the battery is solidly secured.
e) reconnect the battery terminals, restore the foot rest, turn battery switch on, and list to it turn over like a ocket ship!

Get a tender to keep the battery up to par when not driven.

BTW, a weak battery will produce strange effects especially dash warning lights.

02-08-2009, 10:28 AM	#1
colonel1961 Owner Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Alabama Ferrari Life Posts: 1,029	360 engine light I have a quick question: The engine light (yellow) came on last night on my '04 360. ~1,850 original miles and it seems odd/early for this event, true? The manual said get it to the dealer. Ideas/comments/suggestions (other than the obvious). Much thanks!

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02-09-2009, 04:57 AM	#5
colonel1961 Owner Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Alabama Ferrari Life Posts: 1,029	Wow - thanks to you all. I had not filled up recently, but I will try the gas cap and other items before sending it off to Atlanta... Much thanks for all the comments.

02-09-2009, 06:29 AM	#6
colonel1961 Owner Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Alabama Ferrari Life Posts: 1,029	Allright. I tried the gas cap idea and made sure it was sealed completely. When I cranked the engine it sounded very lame, for lack of a better term. Looks like a dealer trip is in my future...

02-09-2009, 08:29 AM	#7
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,617	It sounds to me as if you may need a new battery. Ferrari batteries are notoriously poor. Get an Interstate MTP-91 and that will crank like a rocketship!

02-09-2009, 09:06 AM	#8
colonel1961 Owner Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Alabama Ferrari Life Posts: 1,029	Thanks, Gcalo. It cranked just fine, the engine sounded lame during idle and slight rev. Thanks, Paul

02-09-2009, 03:26 PM	#11
colonel1961 Owner Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Alabama Ferrari Life Posts: 1,029	Thanks Boxer and Gcalo - will try and work up the nerve to perform the task! Sincerely, Col.

02-09-2009, 03:42 PM	#12
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,617	If you are going to changethe battery yourself, here are a few suggestions: a) turn the battery switch off in the trunk b) remove the foot rest passenger side. c) you'll see a metal bar behind the footrest that supports it. Make sure to tie that up out of the way as it can come in contact with the + terminal of the battery and make a mess! d) the MTP-91 is not a 100% replacement. You'll ahve to play with the front metal securing strip to get it to fit rigt. Not an impossible task. Just be careful, take your time, and make sure the battery is solidly secured. e) reconnect the battery terminals, restore the foot rest, turn battery switch on, and list to it turn over like a ocket ship! Get a tender to keep the battery up to par when not driven. BTW, a weak battery will produce strange effects especially dash warning lights.