Looking for advice - having some issues

[MaserRob]

Hi All,

I'm Rob and new to this forum. I have done large amounts of reading however this is my first post as I'm getting very desperate, itching to get my issues fixed. I thought i would list these issues out with hope that some of the more experienced members may have encountered these before and can possibly assist.

I have a Silver 2003 4200 CC.
-High Performance Air Filter - FD
-Larini X-Pipe
-Tubi rear boxes
-Full body kit


Issue 1: Left hand taillight not working.
This gradually happened over a month period. I noticed one day that the left taillight was not working; on closer examination i also noticed the left hand number plate light and the centre brake light on the back parcel shelf were also not working. Only the indicator light works as normal. I have a red light on the dash that means there is a problem with a light.
Troubleshooting Steps Performed
I checked all the globes, all were good however i replaced all of them anyway. Brake light switch has been replaced. I then checked all the fuses under the passenger foot rest, all fuses are fine. I swapped out the entire taillight with a new one, still doesn't work except for indicator light. Finally i had an auto electrician come out, he checked the lights that were not working and he said there was no power to those globes.

I jumped on the forums and found this thread: http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/coupe-spyder-gs/9406-weird-brake-light-problem.html.
Its almost spot on to what I am experiencing. I have purchased a Maserati 4200 Coupe IGE Electronic Module / ECU # 187983, will fit it in once it arrives, hopefully this is the fix.

Issue 2: Car will not engage reverse gear.
This started happening over the last year. I had the F1 pump and relay replaced and all was working sweetly. Then occasionally when i tried to put it in reverse you can here the gearbox making a sound and then it goes into Neutral. Later i would have to try 2,3 and even 4 times before reverse would engage. 1 year later reverse will not engage at all. All other gears work fine. The only thing visibly noticeable has having an problem is the reverse gear stick, Its its a quite floppy.
Troubleshooting Steps Performed
Firstly, i opened up the the reverse gear control module and noticed the little grommets on the lever were broken off. I have order another lever from Hills Engineering, waiting for this to arrive. Physically the micro switch sounds like its still working properly however this will be the next least expensive thing to replace.
Secondly, I had the computer hooked up to it and had the self-learn test run through. It cycled through all the gears fine including reverse. We were then able to engage reverse but that was only one time, then the gearbox light would come up on the dash. PIS was all set to normal parameters, clutch reading only 28% used. The only error being displayed is something like "17?? gear select switch error" (ill try to get the exact error message from the guys from the shop)

I jumped on the forums and found this thread: http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/9443-4200-CC-wouldn-t-select-reverse/page2?
I'm hoping its not going to need a new clutch.


Issue 3: Unable to lock car doors.
It all started late one night. I had the passenger side door open to put some things in the car. I then closed the door; when it closed i heard a little "zap" sound like as if something shorted out. From then on i could not lock the door using the remote. When i push the button on the remote the indicators will flash both doors will lock, but then i hear the passenger door unlock and then drivers side door unlocks. I was able to lock the doors using the key however now its like the lock is jammed, unable to turn the key to lock the doors anymore. A little while after that, when i try to close the door it wont grab the latch on the door jam so the door just swings open. I have to try to close the door between 3-6 times before the door closes properly, occasionally i wiggle the window down a little and this helps to close the door. Passenger door works normally.
Troubleshooting Steps Performed
I have taken the driver side door panel off and checked the cable tension, adjusted this slightly however no luck.

I jumped on the forums and found this thread: http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showt...al-locking-problem-will-not-lock-using-remote
I'm now thinking i have a problem with the solenoids or the door locks. Not sure if I should replace both items in each door.

I'm hoping i have provided enough information, any suggestions from members here would be deeply appreciated.

Cheers Roberto

 

[midlifecrisis]

His Roberto, it's sounds to me that you've fixed issue 1, 2 could be around the microswitch area. I'd check whether the microswitch is actually working. They shouldn't be floppy.
And the door issue sounds electrical too, possibly a fuse.

 

[CatmanV2]

Sounds like 1 and 2 are good fixes. 3 you need to swap the door lock on the side you locked with the key. That would be my guess. Sounds like an interesting failure mode, but I'd lay odds that's what it is.

C

 

[MaserRob]

Thanks gents for the replies.

Issue 3 - On hold for the moment.

Issue 2 - Update
The new part came from Hills Engineering, swapped it and everything looks and feels the way it should.
Below pic shows damaged part

I plugged everything back in......however still unable to get reverse gear.

I think the next step is to try and find the micro switch, effectively the switch that the reverse level touches. I'm not sure where to find one of those, if anyone knows where or possibly has one please let me know.

Issue 1: Left hand taillight not working.
The IGE Electronic Module / ECU # 187983 has finally arrive; i went to see where it was located under the passenger side dash. Ummm..yeah. I think I will need to rip out the whole dash to get to this thing, its really jammed up in behind the far left hand side air vent. Also to get in there you need to have baby size hands. Will give this a go later today

 

[CatmanV2]

Have you got a picture of the reverse switch?
C

 

[MaserRob]

Have you got a picture of the reverse switch?
C

I have a couple of pics.



I guessing you probably want to see inside the box? I have removed those screws on the circuit board however its held in pretty tight. I worried if i use too much force something might break.

 

[CatmanV2]

Hmm, I thought mine came apart easier. Might be simpler just to get one from David Askew and try it

C

 

[MaserRob]

Thanks C,

Ill send him a message now to see if he has an entire unit available.

Cheers Rob

 

[MaserRob]

UPDATE.

Issue 1: Left hand taillight not working.

This issue has been fixed. I spent 2 hours cramped up in the passenger foot well trying to get my hands on the IGE Electronic Module. Its serious tucked away right under the dash and jammed in against the glove box.

Its good to have all the lights working ..... no more silly red warning light on the dash....yahhhhh.


Only Issue 2: Car will not engage reverse gear. and Issue 3: Unable to lock car doors. to resolve now.

I had some back and forth emails from David Askew, he is hooking me up with another reverse gear control module - also checking if he has some door locks to help with issue 3.

Thanks again CatmanV2 for his details. He's very quick to respond to emails and is quite willing to help.

 

[CatmanV2]

I do try. Basically if it wasn't for the forum, I wouldn't be owning a Maserati, so I give back what I can

C

[1] Yes I *own* a Maserati. Driving one is something of a challenge right now...

 

[Wack61]

I do try. Basically if it wasn't for the forum, I wouldn't be owning a Maserati, so I give back what I can

C.

If it wasn't for this forum and a tame mechanic neither would I though with the speed of your responses I am starting to wonder if there's a batman style trident projected onto a cloud near your house when a member is in trouble.

I'm glad you gave me that pollen filter with the car or I might not have bothered, er it wanted doing

 

[dem maser]

This is the best place to be when it comes to Maseratis.....a great community

 

[CatmanV2]

Quick! To the Trident mobile, wunderkind! Seriously, multitasking is not that hard

Blimey, that's in a state. Can't be much more than a year old.

While you're there you might want to re-spray the scuttle. The job on there is a result of me less than excellent spray skills


C

 

[MaserRob]

UPDATE:

David Askew was able to organise a reverse gear control unit and a set of door locks so I'm super excited to get these items in my hot little hands. Should have these middle of next week.

Fingers crossed that these items fix the remaining issues.

P.S. Wow...that pollen filter has copped a real beating

 

[MaserRob]

Issue 3: Unable to lock car doors. This has now been fix.

I replaced both door locks as I couldn't work out exactly which side was at fault. New locks from Maserati were only £40ea so made sense to do both.

Only issue now is: Issue 2: Car will not engage reverse gear. Unfortunately the replacement reverse control module wasn't at fault. I think I might be looking at possible cause being the F1 Actuator or the valve body. Either way I dont think these are going to be cheap

Will provide more updates soon

 

[Steve GS]

Issue 3: Unable to lock car doors. This has now been fix.

I replaced both door locks as I couldn't work out exactly which side was at fault. New locks from Maserati were only £40ea so made sense to do both.

Only issue now is: Issue 2: Car will not engage reverse gear. Unfortunately the replacement reverse control module wasn't at fault. I think I might be looking at possible cause being the F1 Actuator or the valve body. Either way I dont think these are going to be cheap

Will provide more updates soon

I had this problem for a wile it came and went a few times. When I had my car resprey when they had the doors of he noticed the cable connection for the electrics in the door was loose or not connected properly. I also had an intermittent problem with my window. Not going up and down properly when opening and shutting the door. Sometimes it wouldn't work at all. Well since he put it all back together I've had none of the problems. What has this got to do with the reverse. Just a theory as I'm no mechanic or electrical engineer. I've been told when the drivers door is open it shouldn't select reverse gear so I'm thinking the sensors in the door were saying that it was open when it was not. But I haven't had the problem since. Maybe just a coincidence

 

[CatmanV2]

I don't think it has anything to do with the reverse issue, but I guess it might.

Pretty sure, though that you can select reverse with the door open. i've done it to check reversing sensors, but granted with the engine off, which may be pertinent.

C

 

[Steve GS]

I don't think it has anything to do with the reverse issue, but I guess it might.

Pretty sure, though that you can select reverse with the door open. i've done it to check reversing sensors, but granted with the engine off, which may be pertinent.

C

i just know that I don't have a problem with my reverse gear selection any more and I can't give any reason for it. I had all the switch apart and by the way I couldn't get the circuit board out ether I had it tested to see if it was sending out signal to change gear and all was fine.

 

[safrane]

Engine running in reverse gear or forward will be overridden by opening the door.

 

[Steve GS]

Engine running in reverse gear or forward will be overridden by opening the door.

So I may be onto something