3200gt; loss of tail lights, indicator use, airbag light and CEL on eith rer ERROR

[Ben3200gt]

Evening all,

Just driven back to Leeds from Manchester on the delightful M62... a number of people were flashing me even though my lights were on.... or so i thought! Pulled over; front lights are fine, but I have no rear lights, no use of indicators, no use of fog lights/screen heater button from the central console. This is now accompanied by a red ERROR light on the dash, a permanent CEL and the a fixed red airbag error light.

The only thing done differently when starting her, was for some bizarre reason I turned the key all the way to engine on without allowing for the usual red light / beep to stop on the dash. Dont know if this could play a part?

Anyone any ideas? Looking through the fuse list; not entirely sure if it could be a fuse, but my knowledge of car electronics are none existant; but I know its not good..... The hazard lights work fine so indicators are working, just not from the stalk?

Help please?!?!

Cheers - Ben

 

[safrane]

Ben, this has happened a few times to other member on here and on the Maserati Forum UK site.

If I recall correctly it is a fuse in the foot well, maybe No. 9???

 

[Ben3200gt]

Hi Safrane,

Cheers for the response. Just reading that it has happened to others and it will hopefully be no more than a fuse has put my mind at some state of ease within seconds. I think fuse 9 relates to the heated seat controls & air conditioner compressor - fuse 16 seems to incorporate several of the errors, but it also controls the electric window control unit, and the windows are still fine? I will head out and check fuse 9, fuse 16, and pretty much every other fuse in the box in the hope that it is no more than this. Appreciate your prompt (and reassuring) response. Will report back hopefully with positive news.

 

[Ben3200gt]

Fuse 16 it was! Relief! Cheers - panic over

 

[BennyD]

Really pleased it was something simple Ben. Just a thought though; how come your windows still worked?!

 

[SteveM]

Hi Ben, just seen your earlier message and would have suggested Fuse 16 as exactly the same symtoms I experienced within a few months of 3200 ownership. However, if it goes again as happened with me on a regular basis, then the source of your problem is a loose piece of metal within the vertical accelermoter that has come unstuck and shorting out. I posted a technical fix here under fuse 16 and can be fixed for the price of some arraldite and a few hours labour. PM me if you need more details. Steve

 

[Ben3200gt]

Benny; I thought the same?! When I went to check it again (shortly before checking the fuse itself), then windows were no longer working? So either; a) i was wrong about the windows - most likely option!, or b) it's another one of those bizarre faults that only seem to occur with our Italian mistresses?!! Either way- I have lights working, which with current weather trends, is absolutely essential!! Sadly 1 of the window wipers (fortunately the passenger side) has now stopped, so it'll still be going in to Marios and co to sort! I'm also stuck with a permanent CEL since, which having spoken to Marios, shouldn't be too big of a concern. Our dashboards look like theyre missing something when it's not lit anyways....

Steve, thanks for the heads up!! I'll keep note if the problem occurs again, will find the technical thread and print off for future reference as it will no doubt come in handy!

Cheers all!

 

[conaero]

Here you go Ben, this should help you out if it blows again:

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/sho...cal-Acceleration-Sensor-Repair?highlight=fuse

 

[davy83]

This happened to me too. I replaced fuse 16 several times and could not work out why it was blowing. I believe the issue is one of two things, there is an accelerometer which is part of the suspension control which can be faulty and blow this fuse. Another possible is that if you look at the functions listed under fuse 16 they are in parallel with some other fuses! I stopped my car blowing fuse 16 by replacing all the other fuses! i think one of the parallel fuses was not seating properly and it didn't go away until i did this. There is a clumsy plastic cover over the fuses which stops them plugging in properly but makes them look nice. Its a cheap fix, might be worth a try!

 

[Ben3200gt]

Thanks for the link Conaero - touch wood, the replacement of fuse 16 seems to have done the trick; suspension 'error' light has now vanished, functionality has returned to all previous defunct buttons - the only thing that remains is the CEL, which I can have cleared when I get over to Marios in the next few weeks; having explained the issue to him, he didnt seem to think it was anything to be concerned with. I'm hopeful that it doesnt trigger again, as the 'how to' guide - as conclusive as it is; would not be something I'd be brave enough to try!! My mechanical know how is all theoretical; I wouldn't dare start taking things to pieces at risk of (the probable outcome) not being able to get it all back together!

Davy - think if the issue does reappear, i will be having a go at the process you listed before I do anything else! Changing fuses is just about within the boundaries of my tech skills!! Cheers for the heads up!!

 

[Contigo]

Just got a call from the Missus who said she has lost indicators, has a RED ERROR message, man with a circle on him ( lol ) and no lights. I assume with recent rain that I need to also replace fuse 16 in the footwell. Got to love these motors and their shoddy build quality.

 

[CatmanV2]

Check pollen filter?

C

 

[SteveM]

You have found the right thread - every sympton your wife describes indicates Fuse 16. Not only will you not have any indicators but you will have no rear lights so try to get the car home before dark! Refer to post 6 and 8 above. If (blue) fuse keeps going then it will more than likely be the accelerometer metal block come loose and post 8 is my how to repair it.

 

[Contigo]

Steve! Thanks mate, I have downloaded both threads and have a hard copy lol! I am onto my mechanic as I type and he has seen the pics and thread. He reckons one hour job and will have a go if the fuse blows again. Deary me when will I start to be able to drive this thing and enjoy it?

I spoke to the wife and told her it is just a 10p fuse and will change it when I get home. She immediately said that she is really losing faith in the car from all CEL's and quirks it has! Good job I am buying her a Mini Cooper S at the weekend eh guys?

 

[Contigo]

Check pollen filter?

C

Pollen Filter! WTF?

 

[Contigo]

Looking at this picture

It appears it is fuse 16 15A as you say and I assume the normal blade fuses?

 

[Contigo]

So looking at fuse 16, one thing alarms me. I have three keys with the car, one master red key and two black keys. The side buttons do not work on both the black keys despite me changing battery. The RFID's appear to be working as I can start the car with both keys and use the key to manually open the door. Since about a week ago when I got into the car the hazards were flashing all the time until pulling away and they stopped. I locked it all up and swapped keys to other black and since that the car opens and the hazards do not flash. There is one thing however which is not right and that is the red led is flashing on the dash all the time even when the car is started and driving and even at night when the car is locked up. I wonder if the alarm control unit has caused this fuse to blow?

 

[CatmanV2]

Seems more likely that if your fobs won't unlock the door, you're not able to disable the alarm. It *may* be the alarm that's caused the fuse to go, but wouldn't be my first port of call.
Couple of things about the key:
1) The RFID chip has *nothing* to do with the little transmitter that arms / disarms the alarm and locks / unlocks the door
2) The battery contacts in the key can come loose. You change the batter and nothing gets better.
3) The switches (and their rubber tits) get worn out.

Take the key apart (carefully, don't lose the RFID chip) and check those bits.

As to the pollen filter: If it's like the 4200 (and I don't know if it is) the drain tube can get blocked. Eventually that fills up to the fan box and can leak down into the fusebox.

C

 

[Contigo]

1) The RFID is intact in both keys and as you say it only immobilises the car. The car will start as the RFID's are present.
2) New batteries installed into a plastic disc like thing. Checked both polarities. Tried with new buttons and also with no buttons. Both PCB's are likely to be duff.
3) Yes but have replaced.

Been onto Abacus alarms, he can recode both keys to the Meta Alarm for £130 ish. If the PCB's are indeed duff he can supply a new fob which will open and close the doors remotely.

I guess I need to decide if I can live with it the way it is!

 

[CatmanV2]

1) The RFID is intact in both keys and as you say it only immobilises the car. The car will start as the RFID's are present.
2) New batteries installed into a plastic disc like thing. Checked both polarities. Tried with new buttons and also with no buttons. Both PCB's are likely to be duff.
3) Yes but have replaced.

Been onto Abacus alarms, he can recode both keys to the Meta Alarm for £130 ish. If the PCB's are indeed duff he can supply a new fob which will open and close the doors remotely.

I guess I need to decide if I can live with it the way it is!

The classic 4200 has the same key. It cost £84 if I recall from Maserati, and £50 to add it. Sounds cheaper doing it the right way?

C