Isolating Skyhook

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
My GS has a stiff ride made even harder in Sports Mode, however that also gives a better engine and gearbox mapping and exhaust note.

Is there a fuse or plug that can be removed to prevent the skyhook only? Voicey you know your onions is there anything that can be done?
 

Contigo

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18,376
It's funny because for me the car comes alive in SPORT mode! I find them wallowy otherwise and actually don't mind the crashiness. One man's meat......
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
I know what you mean Peter. I did something similar with the exhaust valves where I can fiddle their operation so I can have them open of closed in and out of SPORT.

For daily driving you want the softness of NORMAL and the gear change and exhaust of SPORT.

I am sure something similar can be down, it will involve the bridge can unit under the dash an isolating the right wire and you will need a wiring diagram to do this, maybe Voicey might be able to help.
 

RJ237

Member
Messages
107
I wonder what happens if you unplug the skyhook module? Is the harder ride the default or the softer?
 

safrane

Member
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16,748
Was hoping for just a fuse... and Phil the roads in Bristol are so poor even the S class is shuddering!
 

philgarner

Member
Messages
226
This is what the Formula Dynamics DBW box does isn't it? Not sure about the exhaust though.

Personally I'm planning on replacing all my suspension setup with KW3 coilovers due to the ride, so interested in what can be done to 'disable' skyhook.
 

Navcorr

Member
Messages
3,839
Just had a look at the .pdf on the product page. All in German, which I don't speak, but it looks suspiciously like it is per coil. Crikey!
 

safrane

Member
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16,748
This is what the Formula Dynamics DBW box does isn't it? Not sure about the exhaust though.

Personally I'm planning on replacing all my suspension setup with KW3 coilovers due to the ride, so interested in what can be done to 'disable' skyhook.

I believe just gearbox and clutch from the DBW.
 

voicey

Member
Messages
660
It is possible on a 360 and 430 so don't see why it couldn't be done on a 4200, although I'd need the wiring diagram.

For the Ferrari, the sport button sends a signal to the suspension ECU which then copies the signal to the dash. The dash then commands the everything else to go into sport mode via the CAN Bus. The modification is to hook the sport switch up directly to the dash and then make a new switch for the suspension ECU. Fairly straightforward if you know where the appropriate wires are.
 

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,932
I wonder what happens if you unplug the skyhook module? Is the harder ride the default or the softer?

I would have thought the ride is softer by default as the skyhook module sends the signal to the actuators to stiffen the dampers.

Without the module or if the actuators go faulty then the ride would be softer.

You would get an error message if you did that though.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
If you disconnect the fuse or ecu then there would be no active damping and be terrible to drive as the shocks and springs were never designed to be used with out an active signal.
 

RJ237

Member
Messages
107
I learned from the Jaguar forums that the XKR with interactive shocks could swap out to standard sport shocks and disconnect the shock module to avoid displaying the code. The sport mode would still interact with the transmission.

This would be an expensive experiment to attempt with the 4200, and probably not worth the effort.

I have the FD DBW module and can confirm that it does not affect the suspension. But it certainly does speed up the shifts and the throttle is at 100% with less than half pedal travel.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
It is possible on a 360 and 430 so don't see why it couldn't be done on a 4200, although I'd need the wiring diagram.

For the Ferrari, the sport button sends a signal to the suspension ECU which then copies the signal to the dash. The dash then commands the everything else to go into sport mode via the CAN Bus. The modification is to hook the sport switch up directly to the dash and then make a new switch for the suspension ECU. Fairly straightforward if you know where the appropriate wires are.

Formula Dynamics where looking at developing a box to have the suspension/shifts/exhaust all separate switchable.
That was years ago though, must have decided too difficult or not enough demand to take it any further.
You could, of course, just fit more pliable, sensible, 18" 4200 wheels!
 

RJ237

Member
Messages
107
Swapping the wheels is a good point. My car has 19" GS size wheels and the ride is harsher than a 4200 I drove with the factory 18's.
 

samueluper

Junior Member
Messages
103
My gs may be one of the few without skyhook!
Maserati told me that without it is like being always sport mode.
Softer ride can be possible only with the skyhook.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
My gs may be one of the few without skyhook!
Maserati told me that without it is like being always sport mode.
Softer ride can be possible only with the skyhook.

Are you based in the UK?
I recall speaking to Maserati just after buying my 4200, asking about what options where specified when my car was ordered new. I was told at the time that all UK 4200/GS where supplied with Skyhook, even though it was listed as an option, it actually wasn't!
 

Kyle4200

Junior Member
Messages
251
I wonder what happens if you unplug the skyhook module? Is the harder ride the default or the softer?

I tried this recently on the 4200, and yes it works - no warning message up, you keep the quick changes in sport mode but no change in suspension. I cannot confirm however which mode is it's default setting (Hard or Soft), I would imagine it's unpowered so Soft would be my guess.