ISSUES WITH GT MC-SHIFT

sbz8

Junior Member
Messages
72
Hi Guys,

I've been meaning to get around to doing something about this for a couple of months, and avoided it, however I think enough is enough and I can't put it off anymore.

I tend to use my Granturismo as a weekend car, and I noticed a couple of months ago a warning message with regard the parking break, and it says "go to dealer" however it would only happen once in a while. It's a stage now where it is much more frequent. Essentially, sometimes it won't release the hand brake, so I have to turn the car on and off and try again. Also, sometimes it seems when I'm starting the engine, it's struggling to start, if that makes sense? That little stutter noise (I don't know what else to call it!) sometimes feel like it struggles. Also, sometimes I get a message about a power steering issue.

Has anyone had any experience of these issues, and if so, could you please give me some advice?

I'm new to all of this, in that I've never had a high performance car, so wondering whether I do need to go to the dealer, or an independent would suffice?

Would be very grateful for any thoughts.
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
As for main dealer v independent, independent is fine and often the best way, if you post up your location recommendations will flood in.

Often these small random glitches seem to get fixed by
  1. disconnecting the battery for 30mins
  2. recharging or replacing the battery

Others will give more informed advice later I am sure.
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
Don't park with the parking brake on for a start if you are leaving it all week.

Especially if it has been wet.
 

sbz8

Junior Member
Messages
72
Thanks for the responses guys, judging by the majority, it would seem to be the battery.

Do I require a new one? Or, is the way to 'boost it up so to speak?
Also, when changing/charging the battery, can I do this myself, or does it need/is it best to go to a proffesional?
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Guys how do I stop the EPB coming on automatically?

Press the park off button. This is the actual way the “park off” is supposed to come on in the display, rather than it doing it on its own.

The battery is a good shout, but another option is a gearbox relearn. Mine had this and hasn’t done the park off go to dealer thing since.
 

azapa

Member
Messages
1,300
Did anyone mention mention the battery? Many Maser subsystems seem to have their own "ECU", or brains. Some seem to have been poorly designed regarding their voltage tolerances. In particular the Gearbox and EBrake.

To be fair, I had some early 2000's BMW's that were just as picky.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,114
I would be checking that the bottom of the boot is not full of water and that the electronic unit is not goosed.
 

montravia

Member
Messages
1,618
Press the park off button. This is the actual way the “park off” is supposed to come on in the display, rather than it doing it on its own.

The battery is a good shout, but another option is a gearbox relearn. Mine had this and hasn’t done the park off go to dealer thing since.
That.
Plus release the handbrake while depressing brake pedal. You should hear the actuators pull back the brakes.

Switch off ignition and double check k park brake off as it sometimes doesn't work especially on the third Thursday of each month.....

Repeat
Park button off
Pull handbrake off
Wait for message 'depress brake pedal.
Pull handbrake off.
Hear actuators
Ignition off.
Repeat until it stays 'Park brake off'

It's a black art.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
I would be checking that the bottom of the boot is not full of water and that the electronic unit is not goosed.

Yeah, that was one of the possible culprits when mine was being similarly naughty. Happily, it was as dry as a bone down in the basement. From memory, a new battery sorted the issue.

Oh, and I stopped using the handbrake unless parked on a hill.
 

linescanner

Member
Messages
299
Thanks for the responses guys, judging by the majority, it would seem to be the battery.

Do I require a new one? Or, is the way to 'boost it up so to speak?
Also, when changing/charging the battery, can I do this myself, or does it need/is it best to go to a proffesional?

Get a Ctek and keep it on it when not using it. Mine as I suspect most are constantly hooked up. Forgot to put mine on a little while back and the battery drains pretty quick. Ctek comes with little extension you can bolt straight to the battery, so is a simple click to connect.
 

Moz1000

Member
Messages
820
I think you have to press Park Off and hold it pressed as you turn off the engine. It's then in a service mode for MoT work etc.
Moz
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
Not sure about all these complicated park off posts. As Catman says, it simple.

-Come to a stop with foot on brake.
-Push 'Park Off' button until its displayed on dash screen.
-Turn off engine. Job done.

If you left it in gear (1 or R) when you did it, then it will stay in that gear so won't roll away.
If you put it N before you did it, it will put itself in 1st when you turn the engine off, so still won't roll away.

Regarding the parking brake getting stuck, if your boot floor is dry (free and easy to check) then next stop is new battery, as that seems to cure it 90% of the time and is a cheap try, that you can do yourself.
You could try a battery charger first, but that may 'fix' it when your at home and the battery is freshly charged, but if your away from home overnight, you could find yourself stuck.
Worth getting a charger anyway if its a weekend car, even if you do get a new battery.

If you haven't seen it already, look in the owners manual for how to manually release the brake if it does get stuck and the 30s battery reset hasn't worked.
 

sbz8

Junior Member
Messages
72
I will give the above suggestions a go, thanks guys!

Another quick question. The guy I bought it off said when starting the car, I should turn to ignition, wait 5 seconds, and then start the car.

I always found that a bit strange, but have gone with it.

Is this the right thing to do, I just start the car In one turn motion?