Help please - 2002 Spyder Lights not working - tried everything

[giantoak]

These are the symptoms:

Side lights and low beam not working when I switch them on. Fog lights not working. Dashboard does not light up. Car beeps a warning when I drive with the lights supposedly switched on.

Main beam flasher does work together with dash warning light.

It isn't the switch - I've checked that and it works OK in another car.
It isn't the relay - I've replaced "N" and "I" with ones that I know work.
It isn't a fuse (at least not any related to the lights)
The Dash is definitely not illuminating - I checked the dimmer.

Apart from that - everything else is working fine. Brake lights, indicators etc.

Can anyone suggest what else it might be ? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation

Mario

 

[giantoak]

Some further thoughts about this...

This can only be one 2 things...either software failure in the ECU, or, (fingers crossed!) a bad connection in any of the block connectors that connects the dash switch to the ECU, and then from the ECU to the low tension side of the relay.

I don't have a wiring diagram so I don't know which ECU controls the running lights, or the path of the relevant wires that lead from the switch to the relay. Any help in figuring this out would be much appreciated.

Mario

 

[safrane]

Sorry Mario no idea here....anyone else with a knowledge of the electronics?

 

[Wack61]

My advice would be take it to an auto electrician, I had a problem with lights on a van once, spent ages on it, left it with an auto electrician , got it back that morning fixed.

 

[hladun]

I had found a 3200GT manual on the Internet. Has wiring diagrams. 4200's lights are probably very similar.

 

[giantoak]

Thanks guys for trying - I'll have a fiddle with the connectors and see if that does anything. The car is due for a service so I'll see if the Vic and Kev at Migliore can fix it at the same time. Failing that its off to an auto electrician as Darren suggests.

Thing is, I only ever use the car when the sun is shining so it is only by chance this has come to light since last MoT. Fortunately, I've got until next year to sort it out for then next MoT.

I'll give an update when I manage to sort this out in the hope it might help anyone else with similar issues.

Mario

 

[giantoak]

Postscript - Now fixed thanks to Vic at Migliore. Problem was the ashtray/cigarette lighter was shorting on the bodywork.

Having said I'd checked the fuses and relays, I only checked the ones related to the exterior lights - now I've learnt that the ECU that controls the lights is on the interior lights circuit and the 5A fuse number 28 kept blowing when switching to side lights.

So there we have it - lesson for the day is that the ash tray can knock out your lights!!

Problem was the connector for the light that comes on - it locates immediately above a screw and large steel washer - a tiny bit of copper was peeking out of the connector and over time, this eventually came into contact with the screw head. I small bit of insulating tape over it now means it won't happen again.

Big thanks to Vic for patiently sorting it out while I watched.

Mario

 

[zagatoes30]

Two learns here

1. Experts know best
2. The simplest fix is often the best
3. Why the feck do Italians even try doing electrics

Good news its sorted

 

[Wack61]

Big thanks to Vic for patiently sorting it out while I watched.

sometimes it's a lot less stressful just to let somebody else do it , you think I can do that but experience is what you don't have so what could take you days to work out can be sorted in minutes

 

[giantoak]

Darren - your advice was, and remains sound for which I thank you and others who responded to my plea - I don't think I would ever have traced the fault to the ashtray no matter how long I spent trying.

Vic said he has never come across it before and maybe never will again, but at least now if anyone googles "Maserati lights not working" they may at the very least be eliminate this probable cause.

All part of the joy of owning a Maserati - It wouldn't be Italian if the electrics weren't just a wee bit dodgy.

Best wishes to all

Mario

 

[safrane]

Well smoking does damage you wealth.