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MaseratiForumMaserati CarsA6G-Merak, BiTurbo era, Ghibli, QP IV Ghibli Side lights

Ghibli Side lights

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23/1/2011 20:42:05  
 

Posts: 214
Since: 22/3/2007
Status: offline 		Evening,

I have no side lights, however if i use the parking switch on the steering column they both come on.

I found some 7.5amp fuses in the boot and they were fine, the main headlights work on both dipped and high, so i assume the stalk/switch works ?

What am i missing ?

Thanks

Del
31/1/2011 1:11:24  

Posts: 228
Since: 4/5/2010
Status: offline 		Hi Del right sorry about the delay- I have the schematics to hand. possible failures are; a) Column Switch, b) Diode Bridge in Boot Fuse Box, c) 15A Fuse at Boot Fuse Box or d) Lights Control Device at Boot Fuse Box. The Diode Bridge takes voltages from both the Column Stalk and Parking-Lights switch. It uses a diode arrangement to prevent a chosen Parking-Lights side lighting the other side in parallel whilst allowing a single feed from the Column Switch to illuminate both. It takes three inputs (1; Column, 2 Parking Switch) and returns them through three fuses; Column 15A and Parking 2x 7.5A. These lines then enter the Lights Control Device and then come back out to the lights on the car. The line that is of particular interest to us is the RV Red/green (as shown in the schematic, but in my experience; SG Pink/yellow) input to the Diode Bridge. If we have that voltage then we can move on in diagnosis, if we don't- it's the Column Switch... Have you got a multimeter? Use the positive probe with the negative to a chassis bolt. Let me know what happens JimP
31/1/2011 21:08:23  
 

Posts: 214
Since: 22/3/2007
Status: offline 		Evening,

I am not an electrical man but if need be I can get a multimeter. After a quick look in the boot tonight I have taken the following picture.

The lower of the two brown fuses controls the parking/sidelights - when i pull it out they go off !

Not sure what the blue wire is for connecting  the two brown fuses.

Tonight is a good soap night so i will see if i can remove the fuse unit and pull it through the hole to get a better look tomorrow.

Del






Attachment (1)
1/2/2011 11:13:47  

Posts: 228
Since: 4/5/2010
Status: offline 		W'hoa!!

WHAT IS going on there??!!

That wire is not a factory option!!

(sorry about the way the text in that previous reply bunched into one block- I sent it from a Mac in the house! I went to great lengths to break it down into ledgible chunks and it came out as a blob!)

The brown cube, lower and to the right of the two relays, is the diode bridge. It's not a part of the car I've spent alot of time in- there's not much room is there!!

The brown 7.5A fuses provide protection for either sides of the lights through the Parking-Lights switch. Pulling one fuse should cut only one side only- if you pull one fuse and lose both left and right (depending on Parking switch position) then mabey that blue link wire has something to do with it!

One of the 15A fuses runs the sidelights from the Column-Stalk. I don't have the schematics to hand but I am guessing it is the one underneath the Parking-Lights fuses.

We need to check the 15A fuse (s)- pull them out and have a look and pull out the diode-bridge and give it a sniff (seriously; for a burn't smell . Or more seriously pop it open and take a picture of the innards) and we'll go from there.

There's only four possible failures- this will nail two options without even a multimeter!!

JimP

< Message edited by ZAM400209 -- 1/2/2011 11:15:48 >
1/2/2011 21:02:36  
 

Posts: 214
Since: 22/3/2007
Status: offline 		Right.....

With the blue wire removed.

The switch on the steering column operates the individual sides correctly as it is supposed to ( with the blue wire in both sides came on)

The stalk gave rear lights and dipped lights but no side lights.

Of the two brown fuses, the top one operates the nearside lights the bottom the offside.

The bottom blue fuse controls the rear lights, the top blue fuse had no effect on the lights.

If i removed the diode nothing different happens.

However if you take the diode apart you get;









The smell is a mix between burn and tcp.

I will look to buy a replacement and see how we go from there.

My parents live in Newcastle and we home every couple of months so if you can make it as far South as Northumberland I could stretch to a beer or two !!!

Thanks

Del

Attachment (2)

< Message edited by del mar -- 1/2/2011 21:06:43 >
2/2/2011 10:55:35  

Posts: 228
Since: 4/5/2010
Status: offline 		Hi Del,

that's very interesting but not entirely indicative of failure... So we shouldn't count our chickens yet, so to speak...

Can I just ask; when you go to just Sidelights on the Column Stalk, am I right in saying you don't (obviously) get the front Sidelights, but you do get Tail Lights...?

If so, then we have ruled out the 15A fuse and the Column Switch. At this point we are now looking at the Lights Control Device and the Diode Bridge. I've got to tell you I had a poke at the Lights Control Device once which is like a small plastic cylinder around the same area at the back of the car and it didn't want to unplug! So without tools or more detailed diagnosis, replacing the diode bridge may well be the best course of action (depending on cost) at this point. Although it's probably one of the most low-tech points of the electrical system and I daresay we could make one (replace the diodes) for next to nothing.

It certaintly wouldn't do any harm to replace it at this point.

It might/will be possible to "jury-rig" some kind of link across the socket contacts exposed by removal of the Diode Bridge in order to verify correct operation of the system in it's absence (and rule out the Lights Control Device). I will consult the schematics and give it some thought and come back to you- unless of course you get a replacement Diode Bridge first!?

I might take you up on that offer!

Are you going to any of the Italian-car-family events this year...?

JimP

< Message edited by ZAM400209 -- 2/2/2011 10:57:24 >
2/2/2011 20:53:49  
 

Posts: 214
Since: 22/3/2007
Status: offline 		And how many Bridging Diodes do you think Maserati have left......................................


Bill McGrath have a couple £32 plus VAT.

When you look at the diode there are 3 Rectifier Diodes with IN400 written on them - they are 24p each in Maplins, soldering iron £10, I will pop in tomorrow and see what they have.

Yes i do get the tail lights.

If you search for Maserati Bridging Diode there is a McGrath buyers guide on the biturbo, where they describe it as the "infamous bridging diode"


Del
3/2/2011 6:50:07  

Posts: 228
Since: 4/5/2010
Status: offline 		PM sent to you, Del...
7/2/2011 10:40:47  
 

Posts: 214
Since: 22/3/2007
Status: offline 		All fixed.

The burnt out Diode was 19p from Maplins, solder it in and the lights now work fine.

Jim - thanks for your help.

Del
9/2/2011 16:28:03  
 

Posts: 156
Since: 6/6/2009
Status: offline 		Great to here you got it sorted with Jim's help Del. If you are going to be in Newcastle before the 1st of April we could all (3) meet up for a night of Ghibli's & Beer, maybe even a curry !

Peter
10/2/2011 10:40:17  

Posts: 228
Since: 4/5/2010
Status: offline 		Mr Bowers!

I thought you were trapped in a wormhole between Arran and Canada!!

How is it going? Yes- I think I could attend such an event- mabey we should post it as a mini Ghibli-meet on Maserati Events...!!

JimP
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