When is a warning light not a warning light?

[Brendan]

I guess warning lights are going to happen sooner or later. I noticed the gearbox(cc) light came on momentarily a month ago and has not returned. So I am guessing this is ok. No problems changing gear.

Last week the skyhook suspension light came on for 5 minutes then went out. This week the same happened again, comes on then goes off. I have not reset it as it goes off itself. I usually drive in 'sport' as recommended and when I turn it off the drive does not seem any different, and its always been like this. So I am guessing the 'skyhook' does not work.

I am having the car serviced next month at Maranello so I will ask them to have a look. But does this sound like a sensor? And if so how much are these? Maranello price matched on the 68.5k service and supplying my own oil I have got them down to £675, not bad considering pre price match it was £1200! But I am sure repairs are pricey and if I have a rough idea it will help.

Thanks

 

[hodroyd]

Hi Brendan,
Have you tried an Indie for servicing?
The skyhook could be either a sensor, or possibly one of the actuators which are on top of each shock, sometimes these can stick, or fail. If you get an SD2/3 check this should show up as a fault code pointing you in the right direction.
Hope all goes well.
Cheers
R

 

[Brendan]

Hi Brendan,
Have you tried an Indie for servicing?
The skyhook could be either a sensor, or possibly one of the actuators which are on top of each shock, sometimes these can stick, or fail. If you get an SD2/3 check this should show up as a fault code pointing you in the right direction.
Hope all goes well.
Cheers
R

I will ask when the car gets serviced.

Thanks

 

[hodroyd]

It might not hurt to also get a 2nd opinion on the problem, Indies are usually cheaper and will try and resolve the problem by not just supplying everything new, they will have a go at repair.

 

[Brendan]

Yea, I think a second estimate will do no harm. To diagnose the fault presumably I will be charged for this by Maranello?

 

[hodroyd]

Anyone can diagnose the fault for you, all they need is an SD2/3 reader, plug it in and it will give you the fault code. Ask first if they are going to charge, you are the customer and they want your business mate.

 

[Brendan]

Better check this out before

 

[Brendan]

Should there much difference when you press the sport button and activate the skyhook suspension than normal? There doesn't seem any difference when I press sport so I am assuming it does't work.

 

[hodroyd]

The "Sport" button will alter the gear changes and does alter the suspension. Under normal driving you will not notice much, when you get in to pushing it through bends you will notice little, or no body movement compared to normal. The skyhook is always on, but sport changes the settings.

 

[Brendan]

The "Sport" button will alter the gear changes and does alter the suspension. Under normal driving you will not notice much, when you get in to pushing it through bends you will notice little, or no body movement compared to normal. The skyhook is always on, but sport changes the settings.

So basically under normal conditions sport will not make any noticeable difference unless your pushing it? May be mine is working

 

[jamesc69]

Brendan, i dont know if the GS is different but i can feel a big difference in ride when the sport button is pressed. The car is much firmer and can crash over potholes.

J

 

[Parisien]

Even the 4200 will crash a bit more when sport engaged


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[hodroyd]

I agree, when you are on bumpy roads you can notice that, but say on a motorway, or smooth road, you would not really notice any difference until you start to work the car. Sorry if I mislead originally.

 

[Brendan]

I will ask when the car gets serviced.

Thanks

Contacted Maranello and this is there reply

We can plug your car in to the Maserati Diagnostics to trace what the fault is.* It would take approximately 1 hour to investigate which would be £117.00 + VAT, once this has been done the technician will report on what he has found, if the fault can be reset and cleared within that time there will be no further charge, if he finds a part is faulty we can then prepare an estimate for replacement.

This seems expensive to me. The lights that have come up have cleared themselves without having to have a reset or restart the car. Got to be cheaper elsewhere surely?

 

[Parisien]

Ring a few of the local indies Brendan, sounds like a standard fee.....beat them down .....or up as the mood takes you!


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[hodroyd]

Brendan,
You could probably beat £117 per hour at an indie, that's expensive for a diagnostic check. Or you could just say you have been quoted £75, can they beat it..??
Cheers
R

 

[allandwf]

Sounds about right for the fee,indies may be cheaper as said. Remember though , all the fault codes are also logged, even though the lights might clear. When I had the merc in recently they cleared everything, including when it couldn't read a CD, ( some halfwit put it in upside down,)!!!and when I shut the tailgate after locking the car.amazing what got logged.

 

[hodroyd]

Can it tell when you are in the car and who with...??????

 

[allandwf]

Thankfully no lol

 

[Parisien]

Sounds about right for the fee,indies may be cheaper as said. Remember though , all the fault codes are also logged, even though the lights might clear. When I had the merc in recently they cleared everything, including when it couldn't read a CD, ( some halfwit put it in upside down,)!!!and when I shut the tailgate after locking the car.amazing what got logged.

AND guys....lots and lots of info on your key fob......police and insurance companies are interrogating fobs for evidence............1984 and all that


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