Now what...ERROR alert and occasional E symbol?

[macaroni]

My Maserati warning sign education continues;

I've so far had
- RCY symbol - cured by fixing gearbox oil leak
- ABS symbol - cured by refurbing ABS ECU
- Check Engine symbol - cured by replacing duff ignition coil

And now I have the ERROR symbol, something to do with the suspension, I gather, along with the external temperature matrix occasionally showing "E", rather than the temp.

Is an SD2 check the only way to determine what is wrong with the suspension?

Antony

 

[allandwf]

ERROR is, as you state, suspension. Check the motors on top of each one, they should check/drive when the ignition is turned on.

 

[miket]

It's probably the easiest way, but you can feel the motors "cycle" when the ignition key is turned, they're a biit awkward to get to but worth a go.
If they seem to be going through the set up cycle it could well be a seized or broken gear on the top of each strut, you need to remove the motorised actuators to see if the gear at the top of each strut moves freely if they do the motorised actuator may have failed, it could be that the small gear has simply broken (replacement gears are available), dependant on what you discover doing these checks will dictate the course of action you need to take, the suspension ECU resets and clears the"ERROR" warning when all is well without SD2/3, good luck.

 

[miket]

Buy metal replacement gears here:

http://www.hillengineering.co.uk/catalog/sag355-p-206.html

 

[macaroni]

Thanks for the replies. I've just been out for a feel, but can't detect any of them doing anything when the ignition is switched on, apart from the one rear one I could feel moving slightly.
One thing I did notice though was that the nearside front one had a metal washer, with 2 flattened edges, was loose and wobbly. The others weren't like this, could this be a problem?

Antony

 

[Contigo]

See my response in other thread.



I have an ERROR light on mine and it is the shock absorber for which I have a spare shock to fit.



What causes the ERROR light?

It is either the shock gear seized or the Bilstein actuator.

Get a stethoscope or screwdriver and press it against each actuator whilst someone turns the ignition to MAR (self check all lights on , then go off) and listen for a click, this is the actuator going through an initialisation procedure, if there is no click then you can at least determine which corner it is. Then you need to determine if it is the actuator itself which has failed or if the gear mechanism on the shock absorber itself has seized.

 

[Contigo]

Feeling them isn't enough, listen to them.

Also spray electrical contact cleaner on them, the wiring can be duff.

There is a thread on here which shows how to resolder them.

 

[macaroni]

Urgh - job for tomorrow night now.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Contigo]

The more you do Ant the more you love it!

 

[macaroni]

I just want to drive it.

 

[Contigo]

ERROR light wont stop that.

 

[StuartW]

I think most if most if not all 3200 owners have driven with error lights on at some point ... par for the course but it builds character!

I hope you get it all fixed soon, it will be worth it - believe me!

 

[highlander]

For sure, you have not had it easy with this girl.......hope it comes together for you soon.

 

[allandwf]

I have only had ERROR once, after car was left for 4 weeks. Cleared after retrying ignition, I think one must have been sticky. Never had it since, never leave the car for more than a fortnight now.

 

[safrane]

The E on the temp sensor read-out indicates a fault with the aircon - heater system.

press eco and recirculation at the same time and hold as you turn on the ignition. You will then get a code number on the temp display which tells you whats wrong.

 

[macaroni]

Ooh that's interesting safrane, I'll give that a go at lunchtime. Thanks.

 

[jluis]

Did both lights come up at the same time?
I'm wondering if that could be an electrical gremlin common to both systems since you say you cannot hear the actuators working
It's unlikely to have more than one actuator fail at the same time.

 

[macaroni]

Both the E and the ERROR? They did actually, but there was no E this morning. Just the baleful red glow of ERROR.

The car drives fine though.

 

[BennyD]

It's probably just the car reflecting on your decision to buy a 3200.

 

[macaroni]

Rude! I suspect I would have had similar, if not more serious, problems with a 4200cc.

I give any car I have a hard time, 25 mile commute, each way, on winding A and B roads, and until recently many long fast motorway journeys.
No point in hanging about either.