4200 Starting Problem and Warning Light

[GrantF]

Hello all,
I'm new the Maserati world and have faced a couple of small issues. Any support and advice is always greatly appreciated and welcomed.
Based in Aberdeen so nearest specialist garage is Edinburgh.

1. Today my 2003 4200 CC would not start so had to call the AA, the battery is 1 year old (replaced before i purchased) but not the highest quality so shall replace this although it tested ok . Also isolated and reset car but to no avail. When turning the key sometimes there was a click and then other times not. The AA guy thought it was the starter and checked numerous things and was about to give up. The last chance was to tap the underside of the engine plate and it then fired up straight away as he could not get direct access to the starter. I then shut engine down again and it would not start until the battery was boosted with a charge it appeared. Thinking it could be the starter or a solenoid, anybody faced this previously?
2. I also now have the warning light, Number 18 in the attached link and picture below but on holiday and don't have manual and struggling to find description online. Could anybody help?

https://www.maseratilife.com/attachments/maserati-dash-jpg.48610/

Thanks in advance

 

[CatmanV2]

1) My guess would be the battery but could be the starter solenoid being sticky. Others will be along soon and correct this
2) Passenger airbag. Known issue is that the key switch on the shut of the glove box / door fails. It's a shared part with Alfa / Fiat. Costs tuppence hapenny and takes 10 minutes to fix. I would ignore for now

C

 

[philw696]

Second the battery I've not changed a starter motor on one alternators yes.
Do check the voltage though with a multi meter when running.

 

[CatmanV2]

Second the battery I've not changed a starter motor on one alternators yes.
Do check the voltage though with a multi meter when running.

Now you mention it, I can't recall anyone ever mentioning or reporting starter issues


C

 

[GrantF]

1) My guess would be the battery but could be the starter solenoid being sticky. Others will be along soon and correct this
2) Passenger airbag. Known issue is that the key switch on the shut of the glove box / door fails. It's a shared part with Alfa / Fiat. Costs tuppence hapenny and takes 10 minutes to fix. I would ignore for now

C

Thanks for response CatmanV2. Appreciated

 

[GrantF]

Second the battery I've not changed a starter motor on one alternators yes.
Do check the voltage though with a multi meter when running.

Thanks for response shall check the battery with MM

 

[CatmanV2]

Thanks for response CatmanV2. Appreciated

It's a pleasure. Just bear in mind my input is worth exactly what you're paying for it

C

 

[conaero]

1. I would start with the battery, making sure all the connections and the earth strap are tight, even where it anchors. It could be a dodgy battery isolator switch which you can remove and wire the negative from the battery straight to the earth to body point left of the battery.

Second, I would check the main power connector which is behind a black cover, bolted in the engine bay to the passenger side of the bulkhead.

Thirdly, I would put a DC volt meter across the battery off (12v) and running (13.7 falling to 13.3 when warm)

Lastly, I would check the connectors are tight to the starter itself before committing to buying a new one.

I have never seen one fail if I am honest so it is therefore, more likely to be a supply power issue as above.

2. This is as others have said, the airbag switch on the end of the passenger dash where the door shuts to it. Believe it or not, Maserati ones are less than £20 where we used to buy Alfa and Fiat variants to save cost, but this is now reversed...go figure.

 

[GrantF]

1. I would start with the battery, making sure all the connections and the earth strap are tight, even where it anchors. It could be a dodgy battery isolator switch which you can remove and wire the negative from the battery straight to the earth to body point left of the battery.

Second, I would check the main power connector which is behind a black cover, bolted in the engine bay to the passenger side of the bulkhead.

Thirdly, I would put a DC volt meter across the battery off (12v) and running (13.7 falling to 13.3 when warm)

Lastly, I would check the connectors are tight to the starter itself before committing to buying a new one.

I have never seen one fail if I am honest so it is therefore, more likely to be a supply power issue as above.

2. This is as others have said, the airbag switch on the end of the passenger dash where the door shuts to it. Believe it or not, Maserati ones are less than £20 where we used to buy Alfa and Fiat variants to save cost, but this is now reversed...go figure.

Many thanks for the detailed response Conaero. Appreciated

 

[GrantF]

Hello all,
I'm new the Maserati world and have faced a couple of small issues. Any support and advice is always greatly appreciated and welcomed.
Based in Aberdeen so nearest specialist garage is Edinburgh.

1. Today my 2003 4200 CC would not start so had to call the AA, the battery is 1 year old (replaced before i purchased) but not the highest quality so shall replace this although it tested ok . Also isolated and reset car but to no avail. When turning the key sometimes there was a click and then other times not. The AA guy thought it was the starter and checked numerous things and was about to give up. The last chance was to tap the underside of the engine plate and it then fired up straight away as he could not get direct access to the starter. I then shut engine down again and it would not start until the battery was boosted with a charge it appeared. Thinking it could be the starter or a solenoid, anybody faced this previously?
2. I also now have the warning light, Number 18 in the attached link and picture below but on holiday and don't have manual and struggling to find description online. Could anybody help?

https://www.maseratilife.com/attachments/maserati-dash-jpg.48610/

Thanks in advance

1) My guess would be the battery but could be the starter solenoid being sticky. Others will be along soon and correct this
2) Passenger airbag. Known issue is that the key switch on the shut of the glove box / door fails. It's a shared part with Alfa / Fiat. Costs tuppence hapenny and takes 10 minutes to fix. I would ignore for now

C

 

[GrantF]

Good evening,
Just an update from today as purchased new Bosch Battery and charged overnight and fitted this morning also checked on MM, started perfectly and drove amazingly as always.
Drove 6 miles and stopped but then when trying to restart the starter/engine would only click with no startup at all. All lights were on as normal and also checked battery with MM and full charge.
Had to call AA but as thought and after fault finding we were no further forward so unfortunately the last resort was a truck recovery.
Car is now in Edinburgh at The Specialist Tech so shall keep all updated on the progress

 

[philw696]

Good evening,
Just an update from today as purchased new Bosch Battery and charged overnight and fitted this morning also checked on MM, started perfectly and drove amazingly as always.
Drove 6 miles and stopped but then when trying to restart the starter/engine would only click with no startup at all. All lights were on as normal and also checked battery with MM and full charge.
Had to call AA but as thought and after fault finding we were no further forward so unfortunately the last resort was a truck recovery.
Car is now in Edinburgh at The Specialist Tech so shall keep all updated on the progress

One for the low loader thread now.
Good Luck with it and sensible getting looked at properly.

 

[CatmanV2]

Good evening,
Just an update from today as purchased new Bosch Battery and charged overnight and fitted this morning also checked on MM, started perfectly and drove amazingly as always.
Drove 6 miles and stopped but then when trying to restart the starter/engine would only click with no startup at all. All lights were on as normal and also checked battery with MM and full charge.
Had to call AA but as thought and after fault finding we were no further forward so unfortunately the last resort was a truck recovery.
Car is now in Edinburgh at The Specialist Tech so shall keep all updated on the progress

Would seem likely that either you have a duff battery (not desperately likely) or a duff charging system, or something else.

Sure you'll get it sorted!

C

 

[conaero]

Sounds like the solinoid on the starter then. It’s engaging (click) but not energising the starter itself.

 

[GrantF]

Hello all
Apologies for delay but the update on this was that after a lot of checks on the car the issue with the intermittent starting was traced to an issue with the starting motor.
The starter was sent away for redress and car has been starting impeccably since, also took this time whist off the road to get the car a full service and check over, valet and ceramic coating so she is beautiful!