550 Survey | FerrariChat

550 Survey

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by dennis_maine, Sep 21, 2019.

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  1. dennis_maine

    dennis_maine Karting

    Sep 11, 2007
    196
    ME
    Full Name:
    Dennis Haines
    I have a 2000 MY USA version 550. I bought it with multiple issues. One thing I discovered is that the headlights only work with the ignition on. This strikes me as odd. My question is: is this normal for some cars? Or is it truly a symptom of some problem?
     
  2. A_Christoofar

    A_Christoofar Karting

    Jun 10, 2019
    86
    United Kingdom
    Full Name:
    Christopher
    My Euro car is the same (pretty helpful actually - doesn’t drain the battery if you leave the lights on when you leave the car!)
     
    308 GTB and F456M like this.
  3. Bluebottle

    Bluebottle F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 15, 2012
    7,698
    Newbury, Berkshire, England
    Full Name:
    John
    And my UK spec. car is the same, too. I have mine on all the time, which helps ensure I am seen by other drivers, without the worry that I may drain the battery by leaving them on.
     
    308 GTB likes this.
  4. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 20, 2015
    11,484
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Ian Riddell
    The USA 550 wiring diagrams also show that the headlights need ignition key power. Ignition key power flows through the light switch to the headlight relays in the footwell.

    Typically, Ferrari hazards and parking lights (console button-selected) and interior lights are the only lights which don't need ignition.
     
    308 GTB likes this.
  5. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    My 1999 MY USA Version 550's headlights only work with the ignition on.
     
  6. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
    3,665
    Oslo
    Full Name:
    Erik
    Just out of curiosity, why would you need your headlights to be on if you have the ignition off? :)
     
  7. dennis_maine

    dennis_maine Karting

    Sep 11, 2007
    196
    ME
    Full Name:
    Dennis Haines
    Many thanks. The information is a big help. I have never seen another car that needed the key on for the headlights to work, including my Mondial and 360.
     
    Qavion likes this.
  8. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 20, 2015
    11,484
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Ian Riddell
    Interesting. I'm surprised the Mondial doesn't need the key. The 348, 355, 550 do. Does the 456 and 575 require the key?
     
  9. driller1

    driller1 Karting
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 14, 2015
    125
    New Hampshire
    Full Name:
    Scott
    FWIW My 06' US Spec F430 Requires the key for the headlights
     
    Qavion likes this.
  10. dennis_maine

    dennis_maine Karting

    Sep 11, 2007
    196
    ME
    Full Name:
    Dennis Haines
    Sorry, I was wrong. The 360 does need the key on. Interestingly, my 5 series and GMC do not.
     
    Qavion likes this.

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