Starting Problems 3200gt

[Paul L]

Hi All,

Having problems starting the car!!!

Just came back home up the M3 from Bournemouth area travelling along no problems!

Parked up at home and then went to start up again and the car sounds like the battery is flat and can't turn over the engine.

Last week I put a new battery in the car,

This little gremlin has been happening over the last weeks.

ANY IDEAS???

 

[BennyD]

Paul, are the battery connections done up correctly? Internal battery fault? I assume you didn't have a warning light on the voltmeter so it's unlikely to be the alternator and if fuses aren't blowing there is unlikely to be a dead short. Alarm/immobiliser fault? Try fully charging it and then leave it disconnected overnight, connect it and then start it and see if the symptoms are still there. Other than than, can't think of much else apart from an Indie. Good luck!

 

[bill]

Was the starter a bit lazy recently or did it happen suddenly? It could be the starter or the link of the power cable to it above the fuse board in the passenger footwell.

 

[BennyD]

Or even the starter on the way out.

 

[NickP]

I'd agree with Benny, when this happened on mine it turned out to be the starter motor, eventually it just stops working. I don't think they are up to the job of turning over such a big motor, I changed mine myself. See the tech section and replacement parts links for a guide of how to do it (if you are that way inclined) and the link to the alternative part which is £80 instead of £250. Its a fairly simple job that takes a few hours.

 

[bill]

Actually nick that's a bit of an old wives tale..... The starter is more than capable as the 3200 has a low compression when it starts as it's turbo charged. I googled starter refurbs and called someone in birminham a while back who could refurb it for £50 + vat and postage with out messing with changing bits over from a citroen one. Or was Peugeot... Or what ever.... It's a pig of a job though....

 

[conaero]

Paul you sure it's not the same fault I fixed for you in France last year.....immobiliser? Check to see if the red light is on on the dash if it is take key out, lock and u lock the doors then try again. Changing the battery in the key might help or use the other key.

 

[Paul L]

Paul you sure it's not the same fault I fixed for you in France last year.....immobiliser? Check to see if the red light is on on the dash if it is take key out, lock and u lock the doors then try again. Changing the battery in the key might help or use the other key.

Hi Matt, I like it

Will check tomorrow!

 

[Paul L]

I'd agree with Benny, when this happened on mine it turned out to be the starter motor, eventually it just stops working. I don't think they are up to the job of turning over such a big motor, I changed mine myself. See the tech section and replacement parts links for a guide of how to do it (if you are that way inclined) and the link to the alternative part which is £80 instead of £250. Its a fairly simple job that takes a few hours.

Hi Nick,

It started to happen I.E. not working and got worse!!!!

You changed the starter motor yourself .......could be a way !!

 

[Rex B]

Hi Paul

The Valeo starter motors are a known problem . When I had my car serviced at Bill McGraths the mechanic told me that mine was turning over slow and that was an indication that one or more of the stator magnets had come unstuck. If you Google Valeo starter problems you will find that this is a known problem with some models and not just with maseratis, and they eventually stop working altogether.

I eventually changed mine and you could tell the difference straight away and it now turns over with a real whirl.

However before changing you should check battery terminals are tight, get battery checked as a starter change is not a 5 minute job.

Regards

Rex B
3200 Manual

 

[NickP]

Actually nick that's a bit of an old wives tale..... The starter is more than capable as the 3200 has a low compression when it starts as it's turbo charged. I googled starter refurbs and called someone in birminham a while back who could refurb it for £50 + vat and postage with out messing with changing bits over from a citroen one. Or was Peugeot... Or what ever.... It's a pig of a job though....

I guess they all get refurbed since the price I got was from a local motor factor in exchange for the old motor, I picked it up the same day after a phone call, no posting involved. Changing the mount adds about 5 minutes to the job, which isn't a pig, its pretty straight forward, I managed it after all!

I said I didn't think it was up to the job because of its size, I guess I may be wrong but it seemed like a very small starter motor compared to others I've handled from smaller cars in the past. Sounds like there is a known issue with the units from what others are saying.

 

[Paul L]

Nick & Matt

Hi Guys,

Matt - tried the key and no joys,

Nick - I get a small click noise and thats it

Used jump leads but the car still did not turnover!

Changing the starter motor - big job? time?

 

[conaero]

The starter may be stuck put it in gear and rock the car (with the hanbrake off of course!) it could still be an immobiliser problem.

The problem with the 3200 starter is that is mounted below the water manifold and they do weap. This in turn corrodes the started and there lies the source of many a starter problem.

The only reason I keep going back to the immobiliser problem is I know your car suffers from it, but in saying that if the starter is clicking rapidly that is 100% a current supply problem to the solenoid. It could lie with the starter, the solenoid, the battery (my guess) or the cabling and or the earth.

 

[conaero]

Changing the starter motor is easy getting to it is another matter. The entire plenum has to come off, injectors, fuel rail and all. It's not difficult just time consuming. You also have to exercise extreme caution when removing the plenum, the last thing you want to do is drop a nut down I to the engine. I thought there was a how to guide on the starter swap, if there is not can you obligue? you also have to make sure you tighten the fuel rail and injectors properly, they are under extreme preside and you don't want fuel p!swing over a hot engine!

Also you hav to fix the water manifold leak so get the pipes and plenty of jubilee clips before you start.

 

[conaero]

I knew there was one......

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/377-3200-Starter-Motor

 

[Paul L]

The starter may be stuck put it in gear and rock the car (with the hanbrake off of course!) it could still be an immobiliser problem.

The problem with the 3200 starter is that is mounted below the water manifold and they do weap. This in turn corrodes the started and there lies the source of many a starter problem.

The only reason I keep going back to the immobiliser problem is I know your car suffers from it, but in saying that if the starter is clicking rapidly that is 100% a current supply problem to the solenoid. It could lie with the starter, the solenoid, the battery (my guess) or the cabling and or the earth.

Hi Matt,

There is no fast/rapid clicking - so I am still unsure.

I turn the ignition key the amps goes down on the dial and there is a click, thats all.

Looked and tried the battery connections - all good and tight!

I am thinking that I may have to source a local auto-electrian.

 

[Rex B]

Paul

Sounds Like to starter to me, when the stator magnets become detached from the casing they can then get jammed between the rotor and the other stator magnets , ring a Maserati independent garage and they will perhaps give you advise over the phone.

Regards

Rex B
Maserati 3200
Manual.

 

[Paul L]

Paul

Sounds Like to starter to me, when the stator magnets become detached from the casing they can then get jammed between the rotor and the other stator magnets , ring a Maserati independent garage and they will perhaps give you advise over the phone.

Regards

Rex B
Maserati 3200
Manual.

Cheers Rex,

I'll make a call to an indy!

Its just a pain not knowing if it is for certain though!!

 

[NickP]

A click is all you get when its gone. Mine went in exactly the same way, I even called the AA as I thought my jump leads weren't up to the job. I got a tow start to get home. The how to is exactly what I followed, should take about 4 hours start to finish, mine took all day as one of the plenum bolts was seized. Make sure you read the entire thread of the how to guide as I know it doesnt mention draining the cooling system until further down in the thread.

 

[conaero]

I am starting to think its the starter also, as its so cheap I would just take the afternoon off and do it, as an Auto sparky will have you down £100 before you know whats hit you.