3200GT oil error

Ton3200

Ton3200

New Member
Messages
61
Hi all,
HELP!!! :)
Today I drove the Maserati 3200GT for about an hour. When I returned home and waited for the garage o open I noticed that the oil pressure light was on. The pressure was really low (below 2). When I revved the car the pressure went up and down again.
I restarted the car and the pressure stayed around 2,5 bar. The oil level is just below midline.
Could this be the oil pressure sensor? If yes, where is it located? Did someone deal with this before?

Thanks,

Ton
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,656
Sensor is your first port of call but it's a pig to get to. It's located at the front of the engine behind the aircon pump from memory.
 
Emtee

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
Gents, what does the manual say for warm idle oil pressure on the 3200? On the 4200 it's 2.5 bar (with full 5 bar pressure under load), but states that "if the engine has been required to work at maximum rate, the warning light may flash with the engine idling but it should go out when accelerating lightly." The logical extension to this statement is that if "the warning light may flash", it will be as a consequence of stinking hot oil, and so accompanied by oil pressure below 1.5 bar due to the pump not being so heavily loaded.

If these circumstances apply to Ton, and the oil pressure gauge isn't dancing about all over the place, then it may be okay and just down to the conditions of that particular journey.
 
NickP

NickP

Member
Messages
1,623
Mine stays at 5 from start up till shut down, never seen the light go on, it would worry me but provided there isn't oil dripping out anywhere then its likely to be the sensor. Everything is a pig to get to on these cars!
 
D

dem maser

Moderator
Messages
34,274
I had it.....2 days after buying the car.....took it back and it was the sensor....

Like nick, mine comes to 5 and stays there....
 
Ton3200

Ton3200

New Member
Messages
61
Normally mine also jumps right up to 5 bar and stays there all the time.
This morning I started the car again. The oil pressure jumped right to 5 and stayed there for the whole time. I first let it idle for 10 minutes and then drove for about 20km. But the moment that I returned home and drove up my driveway (small uphill driveway) the light jumped back on and the needle was all over the place. It then stayed at 2 bar.
I also noticed a small red light flashing in my dash the whole time.

Is the sensor something you can do yourself? Could it be a bad connector? I am not very technical I must admit.
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,656
If the needle dances all over the place its definitely a sensor failure. You should also check the wiring, it runs round the engine bay and over time goes brittle with the heat.

You can do it yourself but half way through you will be swearing and chucking tools around. If I were you I would give it to someone who knows how to do it. Its about 3hrs for them to do it, it will be an all day job if you do it.

If you have actual oil pressure issues, the gauge will gradually float down and up with the revs of the engine.

If the oil pressure drops when you press the clutch, then you have enfloat issues and you really dont want to go there.
 
Ton3200

Ton3200

New Member
Messages
61
The oil is just below half on the stick. I will top it up today. There is no oil leak.
When I start it up cold the oil pressure is fine. And even when hot it was good when I was standing in front of a traffic light.
The moment I drove up my driveway the problems started again.
Well let's hope it is the sensor. I have called my mechanic and he will have a look at the car on tuesday. He also thinks that it is either the sensor or a loose contact.

To be continued.... :)
 
D

dem maser

Moderator
Messages
34,274
i got it!! its your drive!! move house........sorry hahahahaha

best thing to do is let your mechanic look at it and it sounds like its the sensor
 
rs48635

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
Ton3200 said:
The oil is just below half on the stick. I will top it up today. There is no oil leak.
When I start it up cold the oil pressure is fine. And even when hot it was good when I was standing in front of a traffic light.
The moment I drove up my driveway the problems started again.
Well let's hope it is the sensor. I have called my mechanic and he will have a look at the car on tuesday. He also thinks that it is either the sensor or a loose contact.

To be continued.... :)
Click to expand...

Is your driveway on a slope? Try parking in the other direction, e.g. reverse onto the drive.
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,656
Good idea Rob I think your on the right track. If so I would check the wiring first.
 
Ton3200

Ton3200

New Member
Messages
61
Will pick up the Maserati again today. My mechanic told me it was a failing oil pressure sending unit. I think he means the sensor with that. :)
It was indeed a couple of hours work (which adds to the price :) ), but I am happy that it was nothing serious.
The weather is lovely today. Can't wait to pick her up.
 
M

Mazdarati

Junior Member
Messages
45
Hi, guys have same problem, but find out a leak of oil under the car. I add and oil more than a month ago when i also have a error oil on my dashboard. After it was ok. But now i have again this light and it wont come out.
Maybe i need to add oil again.
Checked oil level , i think its ok
But before it was also ok but when i add oil the lights go off for a month !
I have leak oil problem for about 5 years ))) and error oil light also ))) since i bought a car.
 
allandwf

allandwf

Member
Messages
11,004
The oil pressure sender, to the gauge, is notoriously unreliable on the 3200. Double check your level using the stick. If the sender is faulty it usually sticks/bounces but if it reads a low steady reading that increases and decreases with revs, then I would have it checked out, its about £300 to have it changed, do it at service as it's awkward to reach, but next to the oil filter.
 
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