My 2.24v. isn't feeling very well.
Can you help? Please!
 

Any owner having a problem with their Maserati can send me details and I will publish these, together with any subsequent advice I receive, on this page.

Just drop me a line at maserati123@btopenworld.com

 

Even if I don't succeed in helping you with your problems; and I do try, it would help other Maserati owners a great deal if you could let me know how you managed to solve your problems. THANK YOU!

 
 
 
 

Kevin in the UK writes:

 

Re: 2.24v ground clearance.

"Hi Enrico,

I'm having major problems with my sump bottoming out on the crap roads where i live. I'm going to fit new engine mounts, and see if this helps. Is this a straight forward job? If this doesnt do the trick i guess the next job would be to replace the front springs ? I'm not sure if there is an easy way to check if they have sagged - but the car is 17 yrs old. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Kevin."

 
 

Reply from Andrea

 

Re: 2.24v ground clearance.

"Difficult to check if the mounts have sagged but very likely. Not a particularly difficult job to change them with the engine in situ. Allow around 5 hours. If you want to go to the next step, you could replace the front springs, though in my experience they don’t alter the ride height as they get older but they do give more bounce over bumps. Don’t know exactly what model you have but if it is an Injected car onwards, then you can raise the front of the car using spacers between the strut tops. This raises the whole front end by one inch, does not affect the handling and seems to sort the problem once and for all.

Cheers,

Andrea."

 
 

Follow-up from Kevin

 

Re: 2.24v ground clearance.

Thanks for the reply. The car is a 1989 injected model. I've had the engine mounts replaced - this raised the engine by 1.5cm. I've yet to use the car in anger - so I'll see how it goes. Where do you buy the spacers from - and do you not need to do the back too?

Many thanks for your continuing support. It's a nice feeling knowing there are like minded people out there willing to give their input on keeping these beasts on the road !

Kevin."

 
 

Reply from Enrico

 

Re: 2.24v ground clearance.

Hi Kevin,

You can buy the spacers from Bill McGrath Maserati - adrian@classicmaseratis.co.uk

"We sell a pair of spacers, 1 inch thick, which are fitted between the top of the strut and the inner wing on Biturbo cars. They are £180 pair plus VAT."

Apparently the rear wheels need no modification.

Regards,

Enrico."

 
 
 
 

Thomas in Germany writes:

 

Re: 2.24v Weber Marelli control unit.

"Hello Enrico,

I own a 2.24v series 2 with catalytic converter which is obviously very rare.

I have one question:

If the Weber Marelli control unit breaks (either the ignition control or the injection control) and Maserati cannot deliver a replacement part what can I do?

Get one from a 2-litre Ghibli and switch the EPROM(s) with the one from the broken unit? Can such units be repaired by Weber Marelli?

My car runs and I only want to know how big the problem will be if one of the control unit quits its job. Can you answer this very special question? I think only a few units for a 2.24v with cat where built hence it can become a serious problem.

Thank you in advance,

Thomas."

 
 

Reply from Andrea

 

Re: 2.24v Weber Marelli control unit.

"A 2.24v with cat will use a very similar map to an early Ghibli 2.0 litre (with distributor) and they made quite a few of those cars! I would say that they will fit without need to modify. We have however, found a company in the UK who can repair these ECUs so no real panic!

Cheers,

Andrea."

 
 

Reply from Thomas

 

Re: 2.24v Weber Marelli control unit.

"Thank you for your help!!!

For your information: MIE sent me the following message:

"The ignition computer is still available by special order. Cost is $900 (+/-).

The Weber fuel injection computer appears to be obsolete. It is possible the refurbish the computer if the programming is not damaged and the failure is only the circuits of the board. Fortunately these computers are not problematic. Most of the failures that we see are from improper "jump start" of the ignition system. I do not have many enquiries for these boxes."

So now I am pleased and calm.

Thank you.

Thomas."

 
 
 
 

Martin in Germany writes:

 

Re: 2.24v. Lambda Sensor.

"Hi Enrico,

Have an 2.24v 2. Series Cat Model. The Cat has been removed as well as the original connection of the Lambda Sensor. The Lambda Sensor is still there but not connected to nothing.

However the two original wires for Lambda connection are still there, one red cable and one black (?).

Now, who ever removed the cat has done something very tricky: He connected the original Lambda connection wires in row with the speed sensor.

May be the idea was to simulate a resistance. However the two contacts of the speed sensor have not been protected by the rubber cap and you can imagine that this has caused trouble to the function of the speed gauge.

I have now connected the speed sensor in the correct way, both very tiny wires, directly to the speed sensor covering with the rubber cap the connection.

But what to do with the original Lambda Sensor connection wires? Any idea?

In the mean time I have just connected the black directly to the red one.

Will this cause problems to the motor control unit?

Waiting your reply remain with kind regards,

Martin."

 
 

Reply from Andrea

 

Re: 2.24v. Lambda Sensor.

"I would not recommend joining the two wires together as this is not really necessary. Ideally, you should modify your exhaust system so that you have a balance pipe (to ensure that the two systems are connected) and then a fitting so that you can fit the Lambda sensor in the exhaust without the catalyst. However, in our experience, this Lambda sensor does not have a great deal of effect on the running (unlike on the later system) and you could just disconnect the wires and insulate the ends. You are definitely right to have removed it from the speedo wiring!,

Andrea."

 
 
 
 

Triantafillos in Greece writes:

 

Re: 2.24v. with cat.

"Hello,

In first congratulation for your website !! I read a lot of page on to learn about Maserati's car, and I can say that it's a powerful website.

My question is the following:

I just want to know if the Italian rules are same as French for the obligation to have a cat engine.

In France car post-January 1993 with an engine under 2.0 Liters must have a catalyser. (It's October 1989 for under 2.0 liters).

So the 2.24v have a 1996 cc Cubic capacity, but some models are fitted with catalytic emission control system with Lambda sonde.

Is theer a year determining if the 2.24v is or is not fitted with catalytic emission control system with Lambda sonde. ????

Thanks.

Privel."

 
 

Reply from Enrico

 

Re: Catalytic emission control system.

"Hi,

The 2.24v. was produced primarily for the Italian home market.

From 1992 all cars were fitted with a cat. But remember, if you are buying from Italy, even after that many Italians removed the cat to obtain more power.

Regards,

Enrico."

 
 
 
 

Triantafillos in Greece writes:

 

Re: Tightening torques.

"Hi Enrico,

First of all I would like to say a BIG THANKS to for your help with my car 2.24v. Nobody else gave me so much help like you. A lot of people must have been helped by you. You could be the "saint" (I think you mean Saint Andrea!!!) of the Maserati fans.

To continue, I have a small question for a Maserati Ghibli engine I have. Are the AM475 and the 1st generation Ghibli engines similar? I mean except the known differences (management,pistons,turbos etc) the tighten torques are the same? Is the same engine or am I totally wrong if I use the same tightening torques of the AM475 to the Ghibli 1st generation engine?

Thank you again Enrico.

Triantafillos."

 
 

Reply from "Saint" Andrea

 

Re: Tightening torques

"Hi Triantafillos,

The torque settings for all of the 4 valve engines are the same.

Regards,

Andrea."

 
 
 
 

Triantafillos in Greece writes:

 

Re: Electronic suspension (KONI)

"Hi Enrico,

I own a 1993 2.24v and I have 2 questions:

1) The engine is the AM475. Could you help me with the correct pressure of the turbos? How many psi bar each? If I put the pressure below the correct setting will I have a more reliable engine?

2) I have a question about the electronic suspension (KONI). One wire of the switch, where you select the 4 stages of the suspension - next to the gear inside the cabin - has been cut, and it does not working at all. Could you help me with a wiring diagram maybe or something else?

Thank you Enrico!

Triantafillos."

 
 

Reply from Enrico

 

Re: Electronic suspension (KONI)

"Hi Triantafillos,

1. The normal boost pressure is between 13 and 14 PSI (with the needle entering the end of the yellow zone). Some Maserati mechanics adjust the boost pressure so that the needle just enters the yellow zone; they do this so that their customers cannot use this as an excuse in the event of an engine failure. This lower setting will definitely lengthen the life of your engine.

2. Here you will see the wiring system for the KONI electronically adjustable suspension unit of the Ghibli. The wiring for this system should be the same.



Regards, Enrico."
 
 
 
 

Sal in The Netherlands writes:

 

Re: A Starter, but only in the whiite zone

"Hello Mr. Henry,

Thank You very much so far, I'll let you know what the mechanic will find. Yesterday the road assistance was one hour looking around and checking everything, including checking the electric cable to the fuel pump, but this was still being feed while the car stopped after few minutes. I could get the car to start again and again, but it would stop by itself between 3 to 5 minutes of being started. He left and was still unable to determine the cause of the failure.

By the way, I'm in The Netherlands, where are you? I may bring the car to you one of these days, for a revision and a perfect tuning!

Regards,

Sal.

P.S.: The car was brought to the mechanic, and he replaced the ignition relay. Now the problem is solved. I noticed that the turbos were suddenly working much better, and starting at much lower revs, to get almost in the red zone about 5000 rpm. This stopped the second day, and now I can't get them to pass half of the white zone, even at 6000 rpm. What do you think is going on?

Thanks,

Sal."

 
 

Reply from Andrea

 

Re: Lack of boost

"Hi Sal,

I think you have had a fusebox problem all along (the clue is the glovebox!) but this shouldn’t account for a lack of boost and I can't see how the two things are connected.

Andrea."

 
 
 
 

Sal in The Netherlands writes:

 

"Hello Enrico,

I bought myself a Maserati 2.24v. year 1990. I am very happy with the car and hadn't encountered a problem until now. Lately, the alarm installation (Texalarm AV-21B5) wouldn't work, blocking everything of course, so that the emergency road assistance disconnected the alarm boardbox and bridged the contacts in the sockets with some iron loops. It worked, so I could start the car and drive normally. The same day I spoke to my regular mechanic about the problem, who suggested that the problem may not be the alarm itself, but some fuse somewhere; he suggested I check for burned fuses before doing a replacement of the alarm installation.

So I started under the hood, and checked the fuses in the relays, disconnecting some of them as I could not get the fuse easily out. I did not found any burned fuse, but next time I try to start the car, it turns, but does not start. All lamps burn correctly, I even smell gasoline, hear the start motor in a normal way, but no starting at all. After a while, called the emergency road help again, and the mechanic check most everything (if the electric circuit was working, it did, if the spark plugs where getting juice, they did, and so on), until he got to the gasoline pump, and he decided he could not hear the pump in action.

I insisted that the car was working OK until I did check the fuses, so he got checking them again, and after a few moments, the car got started without problem. He then went away, having done anything as a matter of fact.

Two days later, the problem repeated itself, so I got pulling the relays again, with no apparent effect, until my wife closed the glove compartment (!?!), and the car started. I drove few hours, and then while driving, all instruments turned out, and the car wouldn't react anymore. Pulled to the side, turned the contact off (the motor was already out by itself) switched contact on again, and could start the motor again. This repeated itself at list 7 to 8 times in the following hour, falling down even faster in even shorter distances. At times, the contact wouldn't work at all, and all lamps will stay out, only an electric sound behind the Air Conditioning panel, but no further reaction at all.

While working, random use of switches or the cigarette lighter will trigger the failure again.

My questions:

1. Is this a recurring problem for the type of Maserati I own?

2. It it a fuse or a relay problem?

3. How can I prevent it happens again?

Thanks for any help.

Greetings,

Sal."

 
 

Reply from Enrico

 

Re: Non Starter?

"Hi Sal,

I think you have a relay problem. C48 is the Fuel Pump relay (see attached diagram).

First you must remove the glove box. To the right of the glove box under the dashboard there is a relay that controls the fuel pump. This may not be making a good connection and that is why you are experiencing intermittent starting. Remove this relay, replace with a new one and clean all contacts in the receptical.

Please let me know how you get on.

Regards,

Enrico."

 
 
 
 

A solution to a problem from Attila in Hungary

 

Re: Ignition cutting out!

"Dear Enrico!

For a couple of months I wrote You about my problem of cutting ignition at 4000rpm in my car. Now I have the solution, maybe it can help others too.

The crankshaft sensor caused the problem. It had a wrong angular position. In the service manual is a special tool (page 0-64, no 96) to use to take the right position, but it can do without it. If any piston is right at the power stroke-TDC position, there is one of the teethts of the pulley at the sensor, but it need to be not directly face to face. With the support it's needed to shift the sensor so, that the left edge of the sensor is at the right edge of the neerest tooth, when viewing direction is facing the car (piston no.1. at the left side).

Regards,

Attila from Hungary."

 

"Dear Attila,

You have made my day, my week, my month and my year!!!

At last someone has written to explain the answer to a question that Andy and I could not answer.

Thank you very much.

All the best,

Enrico and all Maserati 2.24v. owners!!!"

 
 
 
 

Arjan in The Netherlands writes:

 

"Dear Sir,

Herewith I would like to try if you can provide me with the colour code (a dark grey) of the trim and grille of my Maserati 2.24v. I have not been able to achieve this so I hope you can help me with it. Thank you very much in advance.

Kind regards,

Arjan."

 
 
 
 

Mahmut in Turkey writes:

 

"Hello Mr Enriko.

I am Mahmut and am from Ýstanbul in Turkey.

I have Maserati 2.24v. but its engine is broken. Your frend Mr Mehmet said to me you can help me ebout the engine.

Can you help me?

Mahmut."

 
 

Reply from Enrico

 

Re: Seized engine?

"Hi Mahmut,

Could you please supply me with more information? What is wrong with the engine? Are you looking for a replacement engine?

The more information you give me about the engine, the more chance there is of finding out what's wrong with it.

Regards,

Enrico."

 
 
 
 

Alex from The Netherlands writes:

 

"Hello I am Alex from Holland.

I am the proud owner of an original Italian 2.24v. The problem I have is that all red control lights keep on burning (they normally switch off a few seconds after starting the engine) but only when the car stood in the sun.

It looks to me as an electrical failure in the dash, but which component could cause this problem?"

 
 
 
MORE 2.24v. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 
 



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