488 - Introduction and new owner questions | FerrariChat

488 Introduction and new owner questions

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by JamesAllen, May 4, 2021.

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  1. JamesAllen

    JamesAllen Rookie

    Feb 27, 2017
    6
    Frederick, MD
    #1 JamesAllen, May 4, 2021
    Hi folks,

    I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself to the forum and ask a couple of those obligatory 'newbie' questions. I'm an auto-enthusiast that has owned (and own) quite a few beautiful cars in my lifetime, but my new-to-me 488 is definitely a dream come true. I've only owned it a few weeks, but have already racked up 600 miles and should be posting to the 'worthless' thread soon.

    I found the car itself right here on FChat and purchased it directly from Patrick. He was a great source of information, very honest in our dealings, and the car exceeded my expectations. Here was his original 'For Sale' Ad if you want all the specs and extra pictures: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/488-spider-vorsteiner-diavolo-stage-2-450k-build-by-boden-autohaus.621691/

    So, on to questions.

    When I start the car, the check engine light stays on longer than every other light. It always goes off, but it's like the car wants to make me nervous before every drive. Is that normal?

    Patrick installed Novitech springs and an x-pipe, but didn't keep the stock parts. I have no interest in taking those items back to stock, but is there value in collecting them for a future owner?

    The magnetic tender doesn't work. Tried a second charger to be safe, but no go. Searching the threads, it seems the common advice is to ignore and just hard wire a pigtail to the battery, but can it be fixed? I go in for annual service in July and wasn't sure if it was worth asking them to try and repair.

    That's it for now. Appreciate any advice. Here's a pic from a Cars & Coffee I attended last weekend.

    - James


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  2. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    #2 axlesofevil, May 4, 2021
    Last edited: May 4, 2021
    Yes the CEL stays on longer than all the other lights. With these modern cars it's not like you need to ensure the bulb hasn't gone out, so it is a bit silly that they all light up like older cars needed to for you to make sure all the bulbs were working. But that's the way it is.

    There's probably value in having stock parts, but if you can't readily acquire those parts I wouldn't worry about it. I made the mistake of forgetting to ask my shop to keep the stock springs when they installed the Novitecs, but I'm not going to go out and try to find stock springs just to have them.

    Also beautiful car. Enjoy it in good health.
     
  3. rotaryrocket7

    rotaryrocket7 Formula Junior

    Dec 7, 2011
    597
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Full Name:
    Matt
    #3 rotaryrocket7, May 4, 2021
    what a great looking car, congrats
     
  4. SVCalifornia

    SVCalifornia Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 28, 2011
    2,450
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Keith
    #4 SVCalifornia, May 4, 2021
    Normal CEL behavior.

    No opinion.

    Find the fuse for this line. Hopefully listed in the manual. Most likely it is blown and u just need to replace it.

    SV
     
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  5. Viperjoe

    Viperjoe F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    May 20, 2016
    2,632
    Washington Crossing, PA
    #5 Viperjoe, May 4, 2021
    When I start the car, the check engine light stays on longer than every other light. It always goes off, but it's like the car wants to make me nervous before every drive. Is that normal? Yes

    Patrick installed Novitech springs and an x-pipe, but didn't keep the stock parts. I have no interest in taking those items back to stock, but is there value in collecting them for a future owner? Yes

    The magnetic tender doesn't work. Tried a second charger to be safe, but no go. Searching the threads, it seems the common advice is to ignore and just hard wire a pigtail to the battery, but can it be fixed? I go in for annual service in July and wasn't sure if it was worth asking them to try and repair. I would want the problem corrected.
     
  6. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    May 21, 2006
    7,403
    West Coast
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    Ray
    #6 RayJohns, May 5, 2021
    Yes, normal. It doesn't go out until all system checks are completed - which takes a minute.

    nope.

    When you say it "doesn't work" what do you mean? Doesn't attach? Or doesn't charge when attached?

    My advice is ditch the OEM battery (and tender) and install a Braille i48CS and then use their 1236L lithium charger, if ever needed.

    Ray
     
  7. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    #7 axlesofevil, May 5, 2021
    Antigravity are a lot cheaper than Braille and are just as good/better? AG has a cool battery management system that prevents the battery from ever dying.
     
  8. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
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    May 21, 2006
    7,403
    West Coast
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    Ray
    #8 RayJohns, May 5, 2021
    I use Braille only here.

    Ray
     
  9. JamesAllen

    JamesAllen Rookie

    Feb 27, 2017
    6
    Frederick, MD
    #9 JamesAllen, May 5, 2021
    Thank you for the advice and comments.

    I pulled the manual and found that the location of the fuse I need to check is located in the 'panel behind driver seat'. When I look here, I only see one large panel that wraps around a speaker and into the door jam. I'm a bit reticent to just start yanking on the edges. Anyone removed this before or am I missing something?

    'Doesn't work', as in when I connect either tender, they aren't picking up any voltage so they won't initiate a charge. The battery is brand new, but eventually replacing with lithium is on the list.

    I found a set of OEM springs for $250 and a full OEM exhaust for $700, so I went ahead and ordered. I figured it was a small amount to pay to give comfort to a future owner.
     

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