Whats casuing my ERROR LIGHT

[Fat Arnie]

Whats causing my ERROR LIGHT

I've had the error light ******* for around a month and today set about trying to find out why.

With the aid of an assistant, I have removed each actuator, confirmed they move freely in each direction, and confirmed the little gear is not chewed.

I have spun the control in the damper and it moves freely through around 90 degrees on all 4 dampers.

If you place a hand of the actuator when fitted, and turn on the ignition, you can feel all 4 dampers initialising.

I have also removed and opened up the Vertical Movement Sensor and all looks good inside (not fallen apart internally or water damaged etc)

Pressing the sport button definitely hardens the ride.

So what else could it be?

Thanks

 

[hodroyd]

Sorry Arnie, which ERROR light, engine management, or what?

 

[BennyD]

If it's the E that shows instead of the temperature in the green gear change window then I wouldn't worry about it. Mine comes and goes as it pleases but the outside air temp stays the same. My auto changer sometimes works but I don't care. As long as the drive train stays sweet and the brakes work who gives a sh!t? rag it and enjoy.

 

[Fat Arnie]

The red one under the orange sport mode light.

 

[conaero]

Well I think you have checked everything you can, I think it's time to get the code read.

 

[hodroyd]

Good advice, if nothing else is noticeable, then have it checked on an SD2/3 Analyser, it might be something and nothing, or something important that is about to fail.

 

[BennyD]

The red one under the orange sport mode light.

Apologies Arnie I didn't see your car list. I thought you were talking about a 4200.

 

[hodroyd]

Ok if it's the red "ERROR light and not the ERROR OIL light, then it is to do with the electronic suspension, is your's fitted with that Arnie? If so it could be that the cables connecting each shocker, might have got twisted. It happens sometimes on my XJR, I twist the cables straight and space them out a bit and the light goes off, give it a try, or have it checked. Does the suspension definitely change when you press sport, or is it hard all the time? If it changes it sounds like the suspension is working, unless you have say one shocker which is a bit iffy?

 

[Danny]

You say you checked the Vertical Movement Sensor but did you also check the other sensor? If I am not mistaken, there are 2 sensors delivering input for the Bilstein control unit. Secondly, it could be the control unit itself causing the error.

 

[Fat Arnie]

Just found the Brake Circuit Pressure Switch and the Transversal Acceleration Sensor feed into the suspension ECU. I shall check these this morning.

 

[Fat Arnie]

Well, changed both of those, to no avail. They are simple switches whch go closed circuit (if brake pedal pressed or lateral G exceeds 0.3g, so I disconnected and tried with each and both set first open then closed. No difference still get the ERROR light.

For those wishing to help, I attached the schematic, parts list and pin outs for the suspension ECU.

 

[Zombie]

Thanks for that Arnie very helpful. Have the same issue and was thinking of replacing the lateral/transverse sensors next but won't waste my money now that I have read your account. Have already replaced the Bilstein controller to no avail. Like the fault you are sorting, everything is A-OK and handles superbly just a pesty red ERROR light on the dash. Have purchased an ELM827 and 3 pin converter for this very purpose and connected it to the Bilstein controller but no comms.

 

[hodroyd]

It might be a good idea to have the car checked on an SD2/3, you could spend a load of time and still not locate the issue. It could be as silly as a ground point that is affecting volts, or impedance to the controller and whilst it is working, it is not being read as normal, so showing an error.

 

[davy83]

I feel your pain here Arnie. I would definitely try to get the code read. I would look very closely at the suspension motor under the water expansion tank as this get banged when the AC is recharged, make sure the motor sits square and the mounting shroud is not cracked, so motor is ok and shock absorber is ok but when its fitted it flexes. I would also check the fuse panel under the passenger footwell as its deeply ****, bad contacts are not uncommon and there are several parallel fuses, which can make it do odd things. I would be tempted to either pull and re-seat all the fuses or just change them all for new ones and make sure you get a good contact feel when putting them in. I would also check the wiring to the acceleration sensor on the front of the car. Hope you get it nailed sir!

 

[Fat Arnie]

I spent last night buried in the dash, and removed the instrument binacle so I could get to the bus-can controller. Pin 10 on connector B takes the error signal from the Bilstein controller. The pin has a solid 6v on it, and I think the Bilstein controller pulls this to ground when the suspesion is OK. I got this from the service manual which hss lots of badly translated info!

I shall now venture to the controller in the boot and see if I get the same voltage there. If so I will ground it via a. Low value fuse and see if this extinguishes the lamp.


Watch this space.....

 

[conaero]

Arnie, it sounds you are getting in very deep here, I don't think you want to give up and get the error code read now do you!

Keep going fella, you will get there.

 

[hodroyd]

Arnie, 10 out of 10 for effort mate, bulldog spirit at it's best!! Can't wait for the results now, I'm watching this space!!

 

[Fat Arnie]

Holiday interupts play. Taking the car on a 1000 mile round trip. Am I brave?

 

[hodroyd]

Maserati owners are all brave Arnie, but going off for a 1000 mile'r with your error light on, yes you have big watsits indeed!!

 

[Fat Arnie]

My watsits are intact, as is the car, but post tour of the west country I still have the dreaded light.

I have figured out how to turn it off, by grounding the input from the suspension ECU, but that's only addressing the symptom, not the cause.

I've also looked at the signals from the other sensors, and nothing looks amiss, so I have asked another member to lend me his suspension ECU to see if the fault follows the electronics module.