MY QP won't start !

M

MaseratiQP2008

New Member
Messages
19
I am looking for some help regarding my QP.

The car has been fine until this morning when I went to start it as usual and the car will not start. The car unlocks as usual, turned the key and the lights on the dashboard appear but when I turn the key the car will not start - it ticks and has no sign of turning over the engine.

I certainly do not want to damage the car so looking for some advice to what I should do please.

Really appreciate any help.
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,973
First cold morning of the winter so battery issues? I would call out the RAC/AA etc and get them to do a battery/alternator test. These cars take a lot of load from the battery to start them so if your recent runs have been short/are short you may need to think of a battery trickle charger for the future. At least a MD is only ten miles down the road.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,942
Sounds like a classic flat battery. Although, I'd have not thought it was *that* cold?

Was about 8 in Essex. No idea about Ascot.

C
 
M

MaseratiQP2008

New Member
Messages
19
Thanks guys, I agree the battery, disappointing that it did not even drop to below zero last night !

Yes the car has had short runs for the past few weeks and sitting for a few days so maybe that is the problem, but still very disappointing that the car has this issue

Appreciate the speedy responses and advice
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,942
It's not for nothing we are the best Maserati forum in the world :)

Let us know if you get it sorted.

C
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,973
MaseratiQP2008 said:
Thanks guys, I agree the battery, disappointing that it did not even drop to below zero last night !

Yes the car has had short runs for the past few weeks and sitting for a few days so maybe that is the problem, but still very disappointing that the car has this issue

Appreciate the speedy responses and advice
Click to expand...

It's the nature of the car I am afraid. Doubt you were told that when you bought it.
 
M

MaseratiQP2008

New Member
Messages
19
Popped home at lunch time and the battery is now totally flat !

Is it safe to jump start the car ?

Or is this dangerous due to all the electrics etc, if I call the AA I guess they will only do trhe same?
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
Best to get a new battery........get a slightly heavier amperage out put, check position of terminals too

P
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,942
MaseratiQP2008 said:
Popped home at lunch time and the battery is now totally flat !

Is it safe to jump start the car ?

Or is this dangerous due to all the electrics etc, if I call the AA I guess they will only do trhe same?
Click to expand...

You should be OK if you're careful, but check the manual.

C
 
Gixerboy

Gixerboy

New Member
Messages
549
No problem with Jump starting sl all.

As for the flat battery get an auto electrician / engineer to check current drain when all circuits off with key removed,

Regards

Sparky Dave
 
S

Simon

New Member
Messages
617
Hi, welcome to QP ownership.

Having tried to start the car you will have zapped another chunk of power from the battery. Opening the door primes the F1 pump which again zaps the battery.

You need to charge the battery every week or so. Give you an example, I fitted a brand new Bosch Silver battery to my QP in Feb.
Haven't used her for a few weeks and the battery had gone completely flat, to the point the doors wouldn't unlock. It took 4 full days on the charger for the charging light to go green.

To summerise battery issues

Stage 1 - a little low ---> silly error messages like go to dealer, electrical system fault blah blah

Stage 2 - low ---> electrics sort of work but car won't turn over (had this and the central instrument LCD would also fade out)

Stage 3 - flat ----> doors won't open, alarm goes crazy. Awkward to get in the boot due to electric lock. There is a manual keyhole. You need to get in as the battery is there!

I had a recent thread on this

Simon
 
M

MaseratiQP2008

New Member
Messages
19
Quick update

The AA jump started the car and I drove it to Maranello's with the AA in convoy incase of a battery failure on the way.

The car is booked in for a 72 hour battery trickle charge, which hopefully will do the trick and then they can try and diagnose the reason, hopefully just lack of use. They also checked for any recall work and found the car has one outstanding, rear suspension recall.

I will post an update once I have the car back (Wednesday next week)
 
S

Simon

New Member
Messages
617
But your own trickle charger, its a must for these types of cars. How much are they going to charge you for "diagnosing" the problem....

Had a battery die on me back in Feb. Car was on the trickle charger which showed a green light , however car still wouldn't start. Checked the battery with a volt meter and it was down to 10 . something volts. Bought a new battery , swapped it myself and the car was fine. God knows what a main dealer would have charged for all that!
 
Gixerboy

Gixerboy

New Member
Messages
549
Think a new Battery would be cheaper initially than the diagnosis...a simple ammeter will tell u what's happening when car is off.. Although you need to be confident with what you are doing u guess..
Goof Luck

Sparky Dave
 
M

MaseratiQP2008

New Member
Messages
19
Gixerboy said:
Think a new Battery would be cheaper initially than the diagnosis...a simple ammeter will tell u what's happening when car is off.. Although you need to be confident with what you are doing u guess..
Goof Luck

Sparky Dave
Click to expand...

I know that the probable cause of my flat battery was lack of use, however I do not want to take the risk, breaking down somewhere because it may not be lack of use that the battery died. I could understand if the car had been sitting for weeks without use etc but it was used almost every day, so for piece of mind I followed the AA battery assist guys advise and took it to Maranello's for a check over and charge the battery. They are also doing the recall which I was not aware of.

Yes probably not the cheapest way but for my piece of mind.............................................

I will share with you all the final bill.
 
M

MaseratiQP2008

New Member
Messages
19
Update

Just collected my QP from Maranello's after just over a week. The battery was trickle charged and back fully working, as suspected the battery drained through lack of use apparently ! They also replaced the rear tie rods as a recall item and I had them replace the chassis plates as they were perished. So all OK except the washer low warning light on the dash is on and stays on even though they topped up the level. I asked them what the problem was and they did not know ! Does anyone here know how to resolve this and turn the warning light off ?

Thanks in advance once again.
.
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Washer bottles normally have a float switch inside the bottle which is down the bottom of the bottle and these do sometimes stick. Locate the bottom of the bottle and I think you can take them out and clean them up..!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.