Can I reset the suspension warning light? | FerrariChat
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Can I reset the suspension warning light?

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by bm152, Oct 30, 2011.

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  1. bm152

    bm152 Rookie

    Jan 4, 2009
    26
    Washington coast
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #1 bm152, Oct 30, 2011
    I recently had a battery failure with no warning. After finding my 99 550 wouldn't start, I replaced the battery. The new battery solved the starting problem, but I then had two warning lights. The suspension warning light would show and around 15 seconds after start up the "slow down" warning would start flashing.

    After a few drives, the "slow down" seems to have reset itself but I still have the suspension warning.

    I found the following in the shop manual under suspension system diagnosis:

    "Note: to prevent failures from being
    detected on the signal sent by the vehicle
    speed sensor to the ECU it is essential
    never to turn the key "II" more than three
    consecutive times and for longer than 60
    seconds without moving the car. This also
    applies during the diagnosis of other
    electrical systems fitted on the car. In
    this case it is advisable to disconnect the
    electronic control unit for the shock
    absorber adjustment system or to remove
    the instrument fuse."

    I may well have done the three consecutive start attempts while dealing with the dead battery. Is there a way to reset the suspension warning or do I have to go to the dealer for the Diagnosis system SD-1 treatment as prescribed in the manual? I checked the actuator wires on the front dampers and they appear to be fine.

    Thanks for your help.
     
  2. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,150
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #2 ferraridriver, Oct 30, 2011
    If the light does not go off after a drive cycle there is something wrong. Most likely an actuator problem. A SD will tell you what exactly is wrong.
     
  3. JohnBradleyDaniels

    JohnBradleyDaniels Karting

    Oct 16, 2011
    136
    Spartanburg SC
    #3 JohnBradleyDaniels, Oct 31, 2011
    Can we delete the actuators?
     
  4. bm152

    bm152 Rookie

    Jan 4, 2009
    26
    Washington coast
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #4 bm152, Nov 1, 2011
    No, I'm not sure there isn't an actuator problem. I've looked at the front ones and the wires are not stretched tight. Is there a way I can rule them out?

    I just think that it's pretty coincidental that I got two warning lights immediately after a battery failure.
     
  5. Ferris Bueller

    Ferris Bueller Formula 3

    Mar 23, 2004
    1,863
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Dominic
    #5 Ferris Bueller, Nov 1, 2011
    Have you tried an ECU Reset?

    First try an ECU reset and see what happens.

    1.Battery disconnect switch off overnight
    2. Turn off A/C and radio.
    3. Wait until engine is cold, then reconnect battery, turn ignition switch to
    the "on" postition for 20 seconds
    4. Start, and let idle with no inputs for 10 minutes. See if that clears the fault.
     
  6. bm152

    bm152 Rookie

    Jan 4, 2009
    26
    Washington coast
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #6 bm152, Nov 1, 2011
    Thanks. I'll give the ECU reset a try.
     
  7. bm152

    bm152 Rookie

    Jan 4, 2009
    26
    Washington coast
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #7 bm152, Nov 4, 2011
    Well, I tried the ECU reset as detailed above with no luck. Is there a way to check out the shock actuators, or am I destined for the 300 mile trip to the dealer?
     
  8. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,150
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #8 ferraridriver, Nov 4, 2011
    A lot of info here, later on I was able to make Corvette actuators work in Ferrari so disregard that but the first post might help with your diagnosis.
     
  9. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
    10,406
    #9 finnerty, Nov 4, 2011
    Your answer may lie in this information right here....

    Although, the d/c procedure is advised in order to prevent false values from being registered in the suspension ECU, it may also be the procedure to use to clear the ECU memory???

    I would try doing this and see what happens ---- leave it disconnected for a good while (say 30 mins) in order to allow any capacitance memory to fully discharge, then reconnect, start the car from cold, and let it warm up for 10 minutes or so without touching anything so the system can re-learn the base settings. This may clear things up ???
     
  10. bm152

    bm152 Rookie

    Jan 4, 2009
    26
    Washington coast
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #10 bm152, Nov 7, 2011
    Good thought. I'll hunt down the shock ECU and try disconnecting it.

    Thanks.
     
  11. Ferris Bueller

    Ferris Bueller Formula 3

    Mar 23, 2004
    1,863
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Dominic
    #11 Ferris Bueller, Nov 7, 2011
    the ECU is located behind the kick panel on the pass. side.
    I believe there are 3 screws holding it on
    Good luck. I hope this works for you.
     
  12. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
    3,696
    Oslo
    Full Name:
    Erik
    #12 F456M, Nov 14, 2011
    I have the same problem on the 456M I just recently sold. It appeared after I did rebuild the shocks at a well known rebuilder.. Very annoying. Did you succeed to fix the problem by resetting the ECU? How did you do it?

    Thanks.
     
  13. bm152

    bm152 Rookie

    Jan 4, 2009
    26
    Washington coast
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #13 bm152, Sep 13, 2013
    I finally got time to dig in and find the problem. The small gear for one of the shock actuators had broken. This is apparently a common problem. I replaced the gear and when I started the car, the warning light was gone.
     
  14. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,019
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #14 tazandjan, Sep 13, 2013
    Bob- Ricambi sells an improved gear for the actuators, so assume you used that.
     
  15. Jason T. DAmore

    Jason T. DAmore Formula Junior

    May 15, 2012
    251
    Menifee, CA
    Full Name:
    Jason T. DAmore
    #15 Jason T. DAmore, Sep 13, 2013
    The same warning light turned "on" in my 456 after i had the rear accumulators replaced. Still have not been able to turn it off.
    Do you guys think its the same problem BM152 (Bob) had?

    How do i check the actuators? The ones in front i can see - how about the rears?

    Thanks,

    Jay
     
  16. 166&456

    166&456 Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2010
    1,723
    Amsterdam
    #16 166&456, Sep 13, 2013
    For the rears there are two small access panels at the top of the wheel wells. It is tricky to get the clip holding the actuator off without losing it, but you can get at them easily enough. To access the little gear on top of the shock you will need to drop the shock mount or even take the shock out of the car.
     
  17. Jason T. DAmore

    Jason T. DAmore Formula Junior

    May 15, 2012
    251
    Menifee, CA
    Full Name:
    Jason T. DAmore
    #17 Jason T. DAmore, Sep 13, 2013
    Well - That does not sound fun. LOL
     
  18. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    #18 2000 456M, Sep 13, 2013
    My actuators are working fine, but the light is still on. Apparently, I'll have to take it in to the dealer to have the codes cleared.
     
  19. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,150
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #19 ferraridriver, Sep 13, 2013
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2013
    Things that cause the suspension light to illuminate

    From the WSM:

    The errors that the ECU can detect are
    as follows:
    1 - one or more actuators locked;
    2 - one or more actuators not fitted or
    badly fitted;
    3 - absence of speedometer signal;
    4 - no contact on the selector switch;
    5 - selector switch with more than one
    earth contact;
    6 - failure warning light with short or open
    circuit;
    7 - braking system sensor not connected;
    8 - acceleration sensor L or H line not
    connected.
    These errors are stored permanently in
    the ECU even though they may occur
    only temporarily.

    There are many things that can cause the first indication, (one or more actuators locked)

    Some things I have personally seen and repaired

    1) Broken gear on shock rod
    2) Broken drive gear in actuator bottom
    3) Broken planetary gear inside actuator
    4) Cold solder joint at motor
    5) Pin pushed back in connector
    6) Broken wire in actuator pigtail due to windup (550 front only)
    7) Motor failure (I haven’t seen this but it is possible)

    As you can see there are a lot of possible causes for a suspension light

    The light will also illuminate if the key is toggled three or more times without moving the car

    In all cases I have seen the light will go out on the first drive cycle once the fault is remedied but the fault codes are still stored in memory. Only a SD tester will erase the codes.
     
  20. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,150
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #20 ferraridriver, Sep 13, 2013
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2013
    Things that cause the suspension light to illuminate

    From the WSM:

    The errors that the ECU can detect are
    as follows:
    1 - one or more actuators locked;
    2 - one or more actuators not fitted or
    badly fitted;
    3 - absence of speedometer signal;
    4 - no contact on the selector switch;
    5 - selector switch with more than one
    earth contact;
    6 - failure warning light with short or open
    circuit;
    7 - braking system sensor not connected;
    8 - acceleration sensor L or H line not
    connected.
    These errors are stored permanently in
    the ECU even though they may occur
    only temporarily.

    There are many things that can cause the first indication, (one or more actuators locked)

    Some things I have personally seen and repaired

    1) Broken gear on shock rod
    2) Broken drive gear in actuator bottom
    3) Broken planetary gear inside actuator
    4) Cold solder joint at motor
    5) Pin pushed back in connector
    6) Broken wire in actuator pigtail due to windup (550 front only)
    7) Motor failure (I haven’t seen this but it is possible)

    As you can see there are a lot of possible causes for a suspension light

    The light will also illuminate if the key is toggled three or more times without moving the car

    In all cases I have seen the light will go out on the first drive cycle once the fault is remedied but the fault codes are still stored in memory. Only a SD tester will erase the codes.
     

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