Maserati Enthusiasts' Page

The Enthusiasts' Page
	All things 'Maserati'. News of forthcoming models, owner's cars, tips, 'Marque' reunions and the odd touch of humour! In fact anything of interest to the 'Maseratista'. So if you have any news about Maseratis or have anything owners and enthusiasts should know, send details to maserati123@btopenworld.com	Trident in the front grille of the MC12 Versione Corse

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From Enrico in the UK


"Dear Ghibli II owners, I am often asked about the CHECK ENGINE light. "Dear Sir, I own a Ghibli II, model 1994. I have the check engine sign on. Do you know how to check what is the problem? Can you help me?" The CHECK ENGINE light usually comes on when there is a fault in one or more of the following: ENGINE SENSOR This error may be caused by a fault in the sensor, by an air gap lower or higher than the permitted values, by a missing pulley tooth or by wiring problems. The sensor can be verified by measuring resistance directly on the sensor, or between terminals 3 and 4 of the 35-way connector of the bank's engine control unit, in the latter case also verifying at the same time continuity of the wiring. If it is working, the sensor should give a reading of between 600 and 700 Ohm. If the signal is missing, the bank stops immediately. CAMSHAFT SENSOR This error may be caused by a defect of the sensor, by an air gap lower or higher than the permitted values, by a missing pulley tooth or by wiring problems. The sensor can be verified by measuring resistance directly on the sensor, or between terminals 5 and 23 of the 35- way connector of the bank's engine control unit, in the latter case also verifying at the same time continuity of the wiring. If it is working, the sensor should give a reading of between 600 and 700 Ohm. If the signal is missing during starting, no ignition or injection occurs. If the sensor breaks during operation, the engine continues to work normally but the Check Engine lamp lights up. SEQUENCE Determined by incorrect sequence of the signal pattern. Incorrect sequence may be caused by a faulty sensor, an incorrect air gap value, a missing pulley tooth, wiring problems or by one or more camshafts out of phase. MIXTURE STRENGTH The Mixture Strength error is the most complicated one to fix as it may be caused by numerous components. such as the Water Temperature Sensor, Absolute Pressure Sensor, Air Temperature Sensor. As a result, of the components concerned have to be checked out one by one. In the case of the Absolute Pressure Sensor, the pneumatic connection to the sensor also has to be checked as a leak involves an incorrect pressure reading, with resultant incorrect reference on the map and hence an inappropriate air/fuel ratio. Troubleshooting should therefore begin with the absolute pressure sensor as oil or dirt may have deposited on the sensor diaphragm during car running and be the cause of a false pressure reading. If the absolute pressure sensor is not working property, the car will have difficulty starting or may even run irregularly without signalling the error code. This pattern of behaviour always occurs within a given interval of engine revs. If the problem lies with the Water Temperature Sensor, an important indicator of this is difficulty in starting when the engine is hot. In both cases, black smoke will issue from the exhaust after starting. AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR The control unit has identified a short circuit or open circuit of the sensor. Replace the sensor and/or check the wiring. KNOCK SENSOR The control unit has identified a short circuit or open circuit of the sensor but only above 4,000 rpm. Therefore if the sensor is broken with the engine operating at less than 4,000 revs/min, no error code will be signalled. Replace the sensor and/or check the wiring. WATER TEMPERATURE SENSOR The control unit has identified a short circuit or open circuit of the sensor. Replace the sensor and/or check the wiring (see also the description of the Mixture Strength error). LAMBDA SENSOR The Lambda Sensor error may be caused by incorrect operation of the sensor due to a short circuit or open circuit or a defect of the control unit not driving the sensor correctly anymore, maintaining a mixture that is always rich or poor. ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR The control unit has identified a short circuit or open circuit of the sensor. The sensor operates with a voltage of 0 - 5 Volts, which is supplied by the engine control unit. Replace the sensor and/or verify the wiring (see also the description of the Mixture Strength error). THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR Throttle Position Sensor errors may be caused by short circuit, open circuit, no potentiometer power voltage (+5 Volts from the engine control unit), or output voltage value of less than 100 mVolts. If there is a problem with the sensor, the error will be signalled on both control units. As there is only one Check Engine lamp. CONTROL UNIT OR EPROM ERROR Replace the control unit.



PLEASE NOTE: If your CHECK ENGINE light comes on and STAYS ON, it could be nothing, but on the other hand it could be SERIOUS! A visit to your nearest Official Maserati dealer or a recognised Maserati specialist AS SOON AS POSSIBLE is your best option. They can carry out the relevant test using their diagnostic test equipment, and will be able to pinpoint your problem. DON'T TAKE ANY CHANCES, THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE ENGINES TO REBUILD!!!!






From Paul in the USA


"Dear Enrico, I am asking for you and your readers help in trying to track my father's old 250F Maserati. My father [Peter Martin] bought the car in pieces from Cameron Millar, it was CM2. I worked on the car with him in the late seventies and eighties and watched him enjoy many victories over the years. We had to sell the car in the late eighties, and I would love your help in trying to track the car down, as I would love to reunite my my older and weaker father with this car! Here are some more pictures of my Dad's Maseratis [250S and 450S] and an old one of him in an Aston Martin Spa Special at Silverstone! It would be my deepest wish for my father to see the car again. He is a big Maserati historian and collector and now lives in Southern Spain. He has owned a 300S, a 250S, an A6G, a Mistral, a Sebring and a Khamsin, and a 450S!!! The 250F was his passion and he raced alongside Fangio in many historic races including Nurburgring and a special race in Dubai in the 1980s. He began vintage racing in the 1960s! I feel the car is part of my family. My father also had the grace and permission from Scuderia Centro Sud to race under this famous team's name. Thank you so much for your interest, my father is pictured in David McKinney's book.....he was great friends with Cameron Millar.... Yours sincerely, Paul Martin."



		Peter with 250F CM2



Peter's 250S		250S

250S		250S

250S		450S

Peter in the Aston Martin Spa Special

"If you can help Paul, drop me a line at maserati123@btopenworld.com and I'll pass on the good news. Thanks Enrico."






From Rossano in Italy

"Ciao, Ieri ho presentato la sorellina illegittima alla Biturbo,anche se figlie dello stesso padre De Tomaso ma di madri diverse Innocenti/Maserati il family feeling si nota ad occhio nudo,basti dire che all'epoca sono nate e vissute sotto lo stesso tetto a Lambrate.. Rossano."

"Hi, Yesterday I introduced the illegitimate sister to the Biturbo, even though they are sons of the same father De Tomaso, but have different mothers Innocenti/Maserati, the "family feeling" can be seen by the naked eye. Enough to say that at that time they were born and lived under the same roof at Lambrate... Rossano."

"Maserati and Innocenti - related by birth!!"






Maseratis in London

MASERATI GRANTURISMO AND QUATTROPORTE FEATURE AT HARRODS. MASERATI NEW COLLECTION UNVEILED. One of this year’s most exciting window displays will feature at Harrods between 28th January and 23rd February 2008, as the stunning Maserati GranTurismo and Quattroporte are showcased in the Brompton Road windows of the world’s most famous department store. The ultra-stylish luxury cars will be part of a spectacular display which pays tribute to the iconic Italian marque: clients will be able to arrange test drives, admire the latest items from the Maserati Collection and also choose among the over four million options to make their new vehicle uniquely bespoke. The GranTurismo and Quattroporte truly redefine the term ‘luxury sports car’. Both have been designed by the renowned styling house Pininfarina, and embody Maserati’s unique mix of rich motorsport heritage and timeless elegance. Alongside its cars, Maserati will showcase a selection of items from the Maserati Collection. Amongst them, a handcrafted Cigar Humidor and Watch Box which will be available exclusively at Harrods for the duration of the Maserati feature display. Produced using traditional techniques, the Cigar Humidor is an exquisite blue lacquered mahogany box featuring a silver trident inlay and with a cedar wood interior. The Maserati Watch Box, also in blue lacquered mahogany with a silver trident inlay, holds up to eight watches in a plush velvet and alcantara interior. Customers visiting the Maserati lounge area in the window will also be able to enjoy a preview of the new Maserati Lamp, designed by Marco Morosini and the fruit of a prestigious partnership with Lumina Italia, the Italian company renowned for its contemporary interior lighting solutions. Fashioned in highly polished steel with opalescent glass shade, this lamp is inspired by Maserati’s iconic grille. The Maserati Lamp will go on sale after the official launch at the Salone del Mobile in Milan later this year, and Harrods customers will be the first ones to receive it. The new range of products from the Maserati Collection will also be on display. These include silver cufflinks, an exquisite pure cashmere sweater and matching scarf from the Executive range, polo shirts and caps for golf aficionados from the Pure range, and sporty items of clothing from the new Maserati Corse range, inspired by the two FIA GT1 World Championship titles conquered by Maserati in 2005 and 2007. Last but not least, Maserati’s prestigious partnership with the luxury Italian fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo will also take centre stage at Harrods. The bespoke five piece luggage set designed for the GranTurismo will be on display at the Knightsbridge store.

Text and photos courtesy of Maseratis in London

The Maserati GranTurismo and Quattroporte on display at Harrods

Maserati window shopping		Maserati lamp

		Maserati: Beauty and Elegance!

Credits: Photography: Christian Behnke for Maserati Modelli: Agatha Lintott and Cristian Zuzunaga (Quattroporte) @ Independent Models London. Make-up: Rosie Willoughby Hair Styling: Urban Retreat @ Harrods






From blogs.motortrend.com

Maserati Chicane Concept - Designed by EID students

A few masters-degree design students from the European Institute of Design (Istituto Europeo di Design) in Turin have worked their magic for Maserati, who will unveil their hard work at the Geneva Motor Show in early March. The Maserati Chicane Concept is a 2+2 coupe and one size smaller than the Quattroporte and GranTurismo, spurring on rumours of a smaller Maserati. The Chicane measures 4,400 mm in length, 1,850 mm width and 1,250 height. The Maserati Chicane Concept will draw power from a V8 and directs the torque onto the tarmac through the rear wheels. The Chicane is the brainchild of Dmytro Zyubyairov (Ukraine) and Oscar Palladino (Italy). Alongside the Chicane, another student project will be shown through a dedicated video. The Maserati Challenge was designed by a different group of students and is a 2+1 shooting brake, a 2 door station wagon with enough room in the back for bulky sports equipment. (Motor Trend Community at http://blogs.motortrend.com)

The Maserati Chicane Concept to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show





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