The saga started when the beast refused to start after taking it out of the shed. In desperation I started it in gear with no problems. That led me to take the advice in the owner's manual," start looking at the fuses". In the box under the floor fuse 13 was just lying in it's spot unconnected such that movement of the vehicle could cause it to make a brief connection. I know who was responsible for removing the correct 20 amp fuse & leaving a 5 amp fuse loose in it's spot.
The car then started ok until the next time when I got a persistent NO/ASR light which suggested the ABS/ASR module had a fault.
Research suggested either the hydraulic block, ECM or both had fault(s). I could not find any repairer in Oz who could check both. Cooldrive Repair Centre in Qld. claim to repair ECM only for the trade. Having used Xemodex in Canada for TB repair I saw they repaired hydraulic blocks but their website said corrosion within the block caused spring-loaded pins to stick. Further research showed ACtronics global could repair both for the trade via their service centres of which Power Stop in Christchurch is nearest. Control Units in UK offer a suitable service for retail customers.
The block is a Bosch 5.3, part no. 383830016 and appears to be Maserati specific since other marques use different hydraulic connections and alternative sizes either 10 or 12 mm. in different connections. e.g. MC1 & MC2 connections are not used by Maserati. Secondly, the ECM is marque specific.
After removal I found some connections were blocked, cleared when I forced kerosene through, which removes the sticky gunk which accumulates from even DOT 4 fluid. So much for the corrosion theory ! With a fine probe I could move some of the pins and see the others were clean. Compressed air flowed through the block as I anticipated.
At this stage I think I have a k line (diagnostic) problem which can be sorted later. Probably the dud connection in the ECM ?
After fitting the correct fuse at 13 (Service) the car starts repeatedly with no error lights. I can't explain this but the only feasible theory is that battery voltage was a bit low despite the car being on continuous trickle charge.
Now the good news. Maxiecu now have a Maserati specific dongle which can be used with 3200gt. It's more expensive but it is brilliant. It's their 4GEN interface used with the 3 pin adapter cable. It talks to Microsoft 10 minimum or Android 8 minimum which I prefer, using Bluetooth connection. Setting up an account, registration and activation is initially time consuming but once it's set up for your car it goes quickly. Rumour has it they are developing an Apple friendly version. Maxiecu team are very service friendly. As an analogue person in a digital world I'm delighted to ditch my Unidiag stuff for this little gem.
There is incorrect advice that ABS systems need a special routine for bleeding the lines. The Maserati workshop manual says otherwise. Pressure bleeding is best and I've used a portable compressor connected to the reservoir cap for this.
Note that the calipers are fitted with a balance tube & hence two bleed screws.
Note also that the workshop manual has an illustration of the hydraulic block connections which is wrong. Another error is the illustration of the ECM pinout which has only 14 pins instead of 15
TBC
