HELP! QP V Centre screen went dead as I was driving, now car won’t start

[mowlas]

As I was driving home last night, the centre display between the speed and rev dials goes dead and various Christmas lights go on. Car still drove and managed to get her home.

Trickle charged the battery overnight and car started OK this morning but same thing just happened and now the car won’t start.

Also, each time I attempt to start the car, after failing to start, it asks for the radio code.

Is this likely to be a failed battery, ECM connection issue, ECM issue or something else?

 

[safrane]

Check the battery terminals are on tight

 

[jebroni]

I’m pretty sure it won’t be a battery issue if it happened whilst driving.

 

[mowlas]

@safrane the terminals look OK but tightened an extra bit in case.

@jebroni suspect you may be right. Each time I attempt to start the car, after failing to start, it asks for the radio code. Never had that before.

 

[Tallman]

That does sound like an electrical problem. Often battery related so check earth and all connections on the battery plate. I once had a loose connection which was arcing so this could be dangerous if not found. I’m sure @CatmanV2 or one of the other resident electricians will be along very shortly with more detailed advice.

 

[mowlas]

I’ve called the AA but any further thoughts would be appreciated.

I noted that even though the car had been trickle charging overnight for about 8 hours, it was still not fully charged this morning. Wondering if the battery is refusing to work normally and whether that causes the other issues? I recently had the alternator changed, although it was not an OEM one but did look like a quality unit with a factory testing report from Poland. The battery is about 3 years old and would have drained a few times due to the alternator which was replaced.

 

[Devonboy]

When was the battery last changed? Is there a date code on it? I would start here.....and then jump to the complex stuff

 

[safrane]

I think that batter will be shot - they need to be 95% or above

 

[CatmanV2]

That does sound like an electrical problem. Often battery related so check earth and all connections on the battery plate. I once had a loose connection which was arcing so this could be dangerous if not found. I’m sure @CatmanV2 or one of the other resident electricians will be along very shortly with more detailed advice.

Hehehe. My electrical advice is oft considered suspect. No idea why

My bet is the battery is toast. Yes if the car is running and the alternator is good it should be OK without a battery but.....
...the reg / rec might be less than perfect and the battery will have a smoothing effect on the voltage I would expect.
The fact that it's still not fully charged is suspect as well

C

 

[mowlas]

Thank you very much @CatmanV2, @safrane, @Devonboy and @Tallman.

The AA man seemed to think it was the alternator as he monitored the battery which was rapidly losing charge after he got it started again.

Can that point to a failed alternator or a dying battery as well? I’m praying it’s the battery or a simple electrical connection issue as I cannot face having to put a second alternator in within 3 months!

 

[safrane]

The fact it is draining rapidly leads me to thinking it is supplying the current for the 'spark' as the alternator is not doing its part - did the AA not check that for output from the alternator and its route to the electrical systems?

 

[CatmanV2]

Thank you very much @CatmanV2, @safrane, @Devonboy and @Tallman.

The AA man seemed to think it was the alternator as he monitored the battery which was rapidly losing charge after he got it started again.

Can that point to a failed alternator or a dying battery as well? I’m praying it’s the battery or a simple electrical connection issue as I cannot face having to put a second alternator in within 3 months!

If it's rapidly losing charge, then I really doubt it's a simple connection.

Did you have a new alternator fitted? Battery may also be toast but seems less likely (but might get toasted if it's not getting properly charged)

C

 

[mowlas]

If it's rapidly losing charge, then I really doubt it's a simple connection.

Did you have a new alternator fitted? Battery may also be toast but seems less likely (but might get toasted if it's not getting properly charged)

C

The alternator died and was replaced about 3 months ago - see error message I got at the time saying the alternator failed. This time, I didn’t get that error message.

A new clone one from a Polish company was fitted three months ago - this is the item https://as-pl.com/en/p/A6643S. It seemed to be a well built unit and came with a factory testing report.

The battery is about 3 years old and has been run down to. flat on about three/flour occasions, the last time when the alternator died.

 

[CatmanV2]

Hmmm, hopefully you've not got a bad 'new' alternator. If it was me I might throw a new battery on it and hope, but I suspect a better idea would be to get it properly load tested and replace if found lacking but also get it to a 'proper' mechanic or autoelectrician to get the charging system / alternator checked out.

Wild *** guess: Alternator fails totally, you get that message
Alternator starts throwing out wobbly voltage: all sorts of ****. I had a reg / rec go on mine and the ZF will lock into 2nd or 4th gear on an over voltage condition. I had a warning light as well, but not the failure message.

C

 

[mowlas]

Hmmm, hopefully you've not got a bad 'new' alternator. If it was me I might throw a new battery on it and hope, but I suspect a better idea would be to get it properly load tested and replace if found lacking but also get it to a 'proper' mechanic or autoelectrician to get the charging system / alternator checked out.

Wild *** guess: Alternator fails totally, you get that message
Alternator starts throwing out wobbly voltage: all sorts of ****. I had a reg / rec go on mine and the ZF will lock into 2nd or 4th gear on an over voltage condition. I had a warning light as well, but not the failure message.

C

That sounds very plausible for my case, @CatmanV2. Thank you - appreciate the help here!

The car is going to be flatbedded to Autofficina on Monday morning and they’ll do those tests no doubt - will discuss with them. Thanks again!

 

[safrane]

I recall Benny getting a reconditioned alternator that almost incinerated the battery.

 

[Kincath]

Every Maserati I buy I put a new battery in it. For the sake of a hundred quid or so. I’d do that first off.

 

[CatmanV2]

I recall Benny getting a reconditioned alternator that almost incinerated the battery.

Yes that rings a bell

C

 

[Ebenezer]

There are two schools of thought on the forum about reconditioned alternators!
Eb

 

[mowlas]

The fact it is draining rapidly leads me to thinking it is supplying the current for the 'spark' as the alternator is not doing its part - did the AA not check that for output from the alternator and its route to the electrical systems?

Apologies Safrane, just read this. No unfortunately the AA did not check the output from the alternator, they just checked the belts were on. I’ll ask Autofficina to do exactly those tests on Monday.

Thanks for your help.