Obviously the ecu that triggers the “slow-down” light has been a source of trouble on 328’s for many years. A new one is available but costs a whopping $559! Has anyone tried to have one of these relatively simple units rebuilt by one of the ecu repair shops such as Specialized ECU Repair in Ft. Lauderdale? If so, what was your experience (cost? satisfaction? turn-around time?). Many thanks and a Happy New Year to all! Alan N.J.
There was someone here a few years ago who claimed he was going to make one but, after making big claims of how it was simple and could be done relatively inexpensively, it all faded away. It was like the Fabspeed "tech" that posted they were "shortly" going to market a 3x8 +30HP exhaust system, Neither ever appeared. At least the ECU is technically possible!
Many, many years ago my slow down light would come on but my cat never glowed red. I replaced the O2 sensor and the problem went away and never came back. Now was this the cure or did my ECU give up the ghost? The acid test would be for me to unscrew the thermocouple, run the engine, and use a blowtorch on the thermocouple to see if the light comes on. Car runs well and the cat does not get too hot so ignorance is bliss.
Is the self-test at key "on" still working correctly, or is it in the "completely dead -- ignorance is bliss" condition?
That's a good sign (but there's never any proof that the self-test working also means the temperature detection is working, nor that the self-test not working means the temperature detection is not working ). When the warning light just instantly comes "on" solid, it's almost always just an electrical fault as the warning light should first start flashing if the system is working as designed and then go "on" solid if the probe temperature goes even higher. Of course, if the warning does come "on" solid, it never hurts to stop the engine and just look at the cat to see if it's really glowing red hot or if the surrounding coachwork is smoldering .
Is it just me or is this an usual position for a slow down light in a 1988 ABS 328 GTS ? It's a factory delivered car from Belgium. Image Unavailable, Please Login
It's not just you AFAIK, a 1988 euro 328 (K-Jet without Lambda) would not have a cat -- so no slowdown light. However, it it ever lived in Switzerland maybe it was required to be modified? Can you post a picture of the engine bay? Also, have you decoded the VIN at www.red-headed.com?
Here is the sale link but no engine photos. https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/1988-ferrari-328-gts-manual/OAG-AD-19486627/?Cr=1 VIN : ZFFWA20B000076825
The "W" in the fourth digit indicates that it started life with a euro F105C engine (K-Jet without Lambda, no cat, no slowdown light). If it has a silver-colored fuel distributor and the modifications to add a frequency valve into the control pressure plumbing = must have previously lived somewhere that required "emission" equipment. Doesn't Australia require such emission modifications?
"....well-travelled car left Belgium for Japan in the 1990s before arriving in the for two years in 2015 and then Australia in 2017." Wouldn't be for arrival into Australia in 2017 but maybe for Japan ??!!
