CEL light doesn't like the weather

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MaseratiForum Maserati Cars 3200GT, 4200 Coupe/Spyder, GranSport CEL light doesn't like the weather

CEL light doesn't like the weather

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22/8/2010 17:53:07

Colin McCraith

Posts: 44
Since: 1/7/2010
Region: Palma de Mallorca
Status: offline

Cooking hot here in Mallorca with 38 degrees this week - Having a ball cruising around the mountains but if I leave the car in the sun the CELight stays on at startup - no loss of performance and after the car is allowed to sit anywhere cooler - no light!!
I'm not tempted to do anything about it but wonder if other owners in warm climes, or at warm times, have noticed the same.
thanks

23/8/2010 15:33:19

white noise

Posts: 193
Since: 9/5/2008
Region: Dorchester
Status: offline

I'd get it checked out. It could be a sensor on the way out or a fault starting to raise it's head. Best to get it diagnosed and avoid an embarassing breakdown. Hope it's something simple and cheap! Not done 38, but these cars are bred for a mediteranean climate.

24/8/2010 18:13:04

Colin McCraith

Posts: 44
Since: 1/7/2010
Region: Palma de Mallorca
Status: offline

Ahh if only.... No SD2 on the Island...

24/8/2010 19:31:51

davidhowson

Posts: 738
Since: 11/8/2008
Region: Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Status: offline

I wonder if it's a bit like the 4200's "Slow Down" warning light which comes on if the cats get too hot?
Or do you have one of those lights as well on the 3200, I don't know.
-David-

_____________________________

4200 Cambio Corsa Giallo Granturismo

25/8/2010 6:23:24

virendra

Posts: 60
Since: 8/8/2010
Region: Hong Kong
Status: offline

i use mine in HK with 35 to 38 deg temp and 95% humidity. The light goes on and off but is usually to do with the lambda sensors being too damp in the mornings. Run the car for 20 minmutes and then simply turn it off and then on and the light goes off. After that you can drive all day on and off and the light does not come on till the next morning.

25/8/2010 8:51:59

Colin McCraith

Posts: 44
Since: 1/7/2010
Region: Palma de Mallorca
Status: offline

Yes the 3200 has a SLOW DOWN light - Not sure humidity is the problem as the light does not come on straight out of the garage but after the sun has got to it - Black car, the temperature of the bonnet means it will burn you....

25/8/2010 10:13:23

white noise

Posts: 193
Since: 9/5/2008
Region: Dorchester
Status: offline

If you have a 2001 or 2002 3200, you can use a standard OBD reader which will diagnose standard codes. It in no way replaces an SD2, but is much much better than nothing. Older cars don't have this option.

25/8/2010 17:24:13

Colin McCraith

Posts: 44
Since: 1/7/2010
Region: Palma de Mallorca
Status: offline

Sounds like good news - where or with whom would I find an OBD reader...

25/8/2010 17:33:17

Colin McCraith

Posts: 44
Since: 1/7/2010
Region: Palma de Mallorca
Status: offline

An update on the CEL is that my last tank of fuel was 95 (on the sticker) as I was up country and there was no choice... So on Monday eve I filled up with my normal 98 from almost empty and although I have been out on several occasions and done over 150Kms no CEL... Can fuel quality upset the car?
Always a problem with intermittent problems - what to blame?

25/8/2010 18:02:14

miket

Posts: 378
Since: 24/12/2007
Region: Greater Manchester
Status: online

My 3200 was very tempremental dependant on anything from fuel to what colour socks I had on, if your CEL has gone away (for now) you've had a bit iof a result.
My car would run like a dream, park her up and on the return leg of the same journey could be a nightmare, Why? I have no idea, but I'd say at least 95% of the time she was A1, the other 5% I put down to being an Italian Mistress or fuel/socks ........

25/8/2010 20:52:56

davidhowson

Posts: 738
Since: 11/8/2008
Region: Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Status: offline

Definitely those socks Miket!

-David-

_____________________________

4200 Cambio Corsa Giallo Granturismo

25/8/2010 21:23:20

white noise

Posts: 193
Since: 9/5/2008
Region: Dorchester
Status: offline

Plenty of options on the web and EBay. If you have a laptop I would go for a Canbus interface and software http://www.digimoto.com/shop/category/2-obdii-packages.aspx , otherwise there are hand held readers that you can buy but as I don't use them I can't recommend anything. Someone else will help I'm sure.

27/8/2010 10:20:36

Colin McCraith

Posts: 44
Since: 1/7/2010
Region: Palma de Mallorca
Status: offline

Covering all bases I have changed my socks.... still no CEL yesterday :) ....re the Software, what info will this give me? and what will it not do...
thanks

27/8/2010 10:30:11

javier

Posts: 76
Since: 17/1/2010
Region: Madrid, Spain
Status: offline

Hi, Colin,
I'm near Madrid... so not so rare to find 40ºC here, but with not the same humidity as in Mallorca. I've had some CEL lightings (without lost of power) in the last weeks... some in the morning, but not inmediately after starting the engine, but a bit later. Also not all days... so probably the socks have some kind of influence (or the phase of the moon, or the tides - it seems a bit temperamental :) ).
Since mine is a 1999 model, no way to check it with OBD-II, and not time to bring it to an SD-2 equiped indy yet. I will let you know when I get it diagnosed.

27/8/2010 10:40:55

miket

Posts: 378
Since: 24/12/2007
Region: Greater Manchester
Status: online

I knew it was the socks, whenever I wore grey ones was the worst...........

In the 4200 I can get even away with wearing none on at all!

On a serious note good luck guys!

< Message edited by miket -- 27/8/2010 10:41:59 >

4/9/2010 9:22:17

Tompelli

Posts: 49
Since: 12/7/2009
Region: Prachinburi/Hua Hin
Status: offline

Colin,
It could be the socks - here in Thailand & rainy season only Brits wear them on the beach. In general my motor is either in a garage or under a carport, but everywhere here the cars tend to congregate under the nearest tree. Something to do with skin transfer on plastic pick-up seats. I would recommend the XL tin of contact cleaner that should be in every Maserati owners toolkit. Somewhere else on the forum was posted some Maserati recommendation to spray all the electrical connections regularly. For good measure I spray the fuse box in the passenger foot well & the one above the battery - keeps my CEL gremlins at bay.

4/9/2010 9:29:17

Tompelli

Posts: 49
Since: 12/7/2009
Region: Prachinburi/Hua Hin
Status: offline

Colin,
After re-reading your post about fuel I don't think that in itself would give you the problem. I have to run my car on 95 octane gasohol, which it does no problem - BUT on the odd occaision when I have used Shell V-power it throws a hissy fit? I have found the reverse the same too - so I stick to the 95 octane & no tantrums.

6/9/2010 10:47:02

Colin McCraith

Posts: 44
Since: 1/7/2010
Region: Palma de Mallorca
Status: offline

Thanks Tompelli - Am in Bangkok on business later this month (sans beach socks) so if I see your car I'll shout (if you are bangkok based you will be going at walking pace anyway no doubt)... CEL behaving pretty much with the odd 10 second reminder to keep me on my toes.... Re your tip for contact cleaner, do you disconnect the contacts before spraying as surely a general area spraydown would not get to the actual contacts? - maybe other readers have views on this?

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