Cooling fans refuse to work....

Tubber273

Tubber273

New Member
Messages
228
I'm hoping my expert fellow members cn help me out here.
Cooling fans on my 2002 Spyder CC don't switch on causing overheating when idling (when driving engine cools)

Done so far....

Resistor replaced
All fuses checked out fine (ALL fuses)
Fans checked and do operate
Relays also seem fine.

What have I missed????:ohh:

Any advice/solutions are greatly appreciated!!

Cheers!
 
Tubber273

Tubber273

New Member
Messages
228
Hmmmmm.....spoke to the technician at the dealership, and he reminded me that they flashed and reprogrammed my ECU, then tested it extensively (August).
Even they are quite puzzled with this one! I may have to take her in, but it's an hour and a half ferry trip (and a full day as a result).
I'd dearly love to fix myself, but I fear the SD3 is becoming my only option.
Any other ideas?
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,692
If Marios says its the ECU then there is no reason to doubt him.

You can try another resistor as they are cheap (same as Alfa 156/147/GT)

Also run a power feed direct to the resistor to prove the wiring maybe?
 
Tubber273

Tubber273

New Member
Messages
228
Good advice as usual!

The temp sensors absolutely give signals to the fans. In fact I replaced both (US/CAN 4200's have 2).

I'm beginning to accept it could be the ECU, even though it was re-programmed.
This site is a fantastic resource and collective of knowledge!!!

Thanks to all for your input!
 
Tubber273

Tubber273

New Member
Messages
228
Well.....biting the bullet on this one! I'm taking my baby into the dealership to fully diagnose it and have an ECU ordered just in case.
The total forthe ECU, labour and taxes....about $2600 (Canadian....about 1600 pounds??).
Th downside is the new ECU isn't as responsive as a 2002 ECU. Oh well!
On the bright side....thinking about installing an X-PIPE for a mere $150 bucks!!!
 
Tubber273

Tubber273

New Member
Messages
228
Well.....biting the bullet on this one! I'm taking my baby into the dealership to fully diagnose it and have an ECU ordered just in case.
The total forthe ECU, labour and taxes....about $2600 (Canadian....about 1600 pounds??).
Th downside is the new ECU isn't as responsive as a 2002 ECU. Oh well!
On the bright side....thinking about installing an X-PIPE for a mere $150 bucks!!!
 
marios kriticos

marios kriticos

SPONSOR: Autosheild
Messages
256
Tubber ,It will not be the ECU all they have to do is to down load new software on it .
It takes around 1/2 hr to do this , dont replace the ECU .

Marios
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,692
There you go Tubber, another couple of grand saved for you.

If you didn't know, Marios above runs an independant Maserati garage here in the UK, is very well respected and is very Italian.
 
Tubber273

Tubber273

New Member
Messages
228
marios kriticos said:
Tubber ,It will not be the ECU all they have to do is to down load new software on it .
It takes around 1/2 hr to do this , dont replace the ECU .

Marios
Click to expand...

Thanks Marios! I really appreciate your advice!!
They will be doing a full diagnosis before replacement of course.
The reason I may have it replaced is that the ECU was flashed and reprogrammed (by the original Maserati programmer!!) in August.
Between then and now, no issues, then the fans quit about 2 weeks ago, and more interesting....the CEL is on - with NO fault codes (active or pending).
If the ECU can create the fan fault as well as trip the CEL with no faults recorded, isn't it possible the ECU itself is the issue?
FYI....I not only scanned with my OBDII reader, but had it scanned at a local shop as well.
I'm truly at a loss, and appreciate all the advice very much!!
 
Tubber273

Tubber273

New Member
Messages
228
Conaero said:
There you go Tubber, another couple of grand saved for you.

If you didn't know, Marios above runs an independant Maserati garage here in the UK, is very well respected and is very Italian.
Click to expand...

Sure wish I lived there!!!! Prices on parts are cheaper, the availability of competent independants like Marios, and generally some really great people!!

As for the "failsafe" allandwf....I'm going to assume no, as I had the temp sensors (and resistor) replaced with brand new parts.
After each part was installed I brought her up to temperature, let her idle a bit longer and temperature continued to rise past normal.
But....I'm only assuming from my experience!
Cheers!!
 
M

MUC3200GT

Junior Member
Messages
127
just a simple idea: is the cabling between ECU , temp sensors etc. still Ok, (measured with ohm meter ) and not short circuit to ground or to plus 12V? DO you see a changing voltage when a Voltmeter is connected to temp sensor and the car is idling form cold coolant till hot ?
 
Last edited:
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,692
Well you learn something new every day!

Appologise for the assumption Marios, what with your look, your business etc I put 2 and 2 together.....and came up with 5.....again!
 
Tubber273

Tubber273

New Member
Messages
228
Finally found out the whole reason behind my troubles....
Took my baby in to the dealership to check into why the fans weren't coming on.
I replaced the resistor, both relays, and both temp sensors with no effect right?
Well.....turns out that there was a faulty fuse. The master tech followed the trail to the fuse, upon appearance it looked good (I checked them, then an indy in town looked at the fuses and they all looked good).

So why did we miss it? Turns out that the fuse was only partially blown!!
I've never even heard of that!! They popped in a new fuse, and presto....the fans work!
Best of all....the dealership didn't charge me a penny!!


Ferrari Maserati of Vancouver.....LOVE YA!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.