Refurbishment of my Maserati Mexico
Discussion
The Surveyor said:
Good luck with the lighting and the trip Mike. I clearly have some way to go to build a collection of Maserati like your, so very impressed. Of all the cars which wear the Trident badge, its the original Ghibli that gets me every time. It's just so beautifully timeless and yours looks like a proper restoration job.
As a little thread update, I drove mine today for the first time ever! Not 400 miles, but a whopping 6 miles from home to the garage who are going to spend some time getting the engine running properly, setting the steering geometry and sorting things for it's MOT tomorrow. 6 miles isn't that far, but it was far enough to come to the conclusion that it's bloody terrifying.... Brakes are OK, the pull from the engine is nicely spirited but the steering is awful! Hopefully that will be sorted by the adjustments.
Couldn't resist getting a quick picture on the drive:-
and one when I'd arrived:-
Another gorgeous looking car!As a little thread update, I drove mine today for the first time ever! Not 400 miles, but a whopping 6 miles from home to the garage who are going to spend some time getting the engine running properly, setting the steering geometry and sorting things for it's MOT tomorrow. 6 miles isn't that far, but it was far enough to come to the conclusion that it's bloody terrifying.... Brakes are OK, the pull from the engine is nicely spirited but the steering is awful! Hopefully that will be sorted by the adjustments.
Couldn't resist getting a quick picture on the drive:-
and one when I'd arrived:-
neilbauer said:
So glad you didn't go for the spots, the front looks fantastic as does the whole car 
( Are you getting MOT prep work done on a farm 
)
Lol... Not on a farm as such. HWR Motorsport who are skilled race engine and car prep specialists who look after a mates Ginetta track car amongst other exciting stuff. An old Messer should be nice and easy for them ( Are you getting MOT prep work done on a farm )
Hi Paul...
I wanted to ask you another question, if I may.. The info you sent on the lighting schematic (Sch 19)
and the switches (Sch 11) are invaluable. Do you have more such info for the Mexico? I pretty much
have most of the other manuals (parts, both user manuals), etc.. Also, not sure you know, but
check out www.thecarnut.com ... There is a lot of potentially useful Maserati info there. The
owner of this site is a friend of mine and lives about 3 hours from me...
Mike
I wanted to ask you another question, if I may.. The info you sent on the lighting schematic (Sch 19)
and the switches (Sch 11) are invaluable. Do you have more such info for the Mexico? I pretty much
have most of the other manuals (parts, both user manuals), etc.. Also, not sure you know, but
check out www.thecarnut.com ... There is a lot of potentially useful Maserati info there. The
owner of this site is a friend of mine and lives about 3 hours from me...
Mike
Mexico074 said:
Hi Paul...
I wanted to ask you another question, if I may.. The info you sent on the lighting schematic (Sch 19)
and the switches (Sch 11) are invaluable. Do you have more such info for the Mexico? I pretty much
have most of the other manuals (parts, both user manuals), etc.. Also, not sure you know, but
check out www.thecarnut.com ... There is a lot of potentially useful Maserati info there. The
owner of this site is a friend of mine and lives about 3 hours from me...
Mike
Hi Mike, those wiring schematics came off that excellent 'carnut' site so when you next see your friend, can you thank him from me. I extracted the relevant pages from the downloads and cross checked the wire colours with my car and added the actual colours to help identification when lying upside down in the footwell! I'm just doing another sheet at the moment to try and get the wipers to work properly including the self-park function. I wanted to ask you another question, if I may.. The info you sent on the lighting schematic (Sch 19)
and the switches (Sch 11) are invaluable. Do you have more such info for the Mexico? I pretty much
have most of the other manuals (parts, both user manuals), etc.. Also, not sure you know, but
check out www.thecarnut.com ... There is a lot of potentially useful Maserati info there. The
owner of this site is a friend of mine and lives about 3 hours from me...
Mike
Cheers
Paul
Hi Paul...
I have begun working on my lighting, or namely lack of high beams (main beams)... The first think I notice is an issue with the documentation.
In the Mexico manual, it indicates fuses 1 and 2 are for the main beams, and fuse 4 is for the dipped beams. The wiring diagrams 1 and 6 indicate fuses 1 and 2
are for the low beams (dipped beams). Which is correct?
I removed the main beams (high beams here in the US - the two inner lights) to check the wiring and find some interesting things. First each main beam
has two wires going to it, whereas the diagrams show only one, but I believe the second is for ground, or so I hope. Secondly, the left main beam wire
connector is set up for 3 wires, with one of the three wires not connected. The right main beam has the two wires directly connected via male and female single
spade connectors. What type of connectors did you use?
When I tested the lighting, my results were as follows. 1. Dipped beams (outer headlights) work fine. 2. When the lighting stalk is pushed towards the
dash to engage the main beams, nothing happens. But I do hear a clicking sound. 3. When I check for power at the main beams, when the stalk is pushed towards
the dash, there is no power there.
I will check the fuses tomorrow, just in case. But chances are I would have noticed a blown fuse. What amp fuses did you use for 1,2 and 4? I will then
proceed to remove the dipped lights and check the wiring there.
How are things with you? Have you been driving the Mexico?
Mike
I have begun working on my lighting, or namely lack of high beams (main beams)... The first think I notice is an issue with the documentation.
In the Mexico manual, it indicates fuses 1 and 2 are for the main beams, and fuse 4 is for the dipped beams. The wiring diagrams 1 and 6 indicate fuses 1 and 2
are for the low beams (dipped beams). Which is correct?
I removed the main beams (high beams here in the US - the two inner lights) to check the wiring and find some interesting things. First each main beam
has two wires going to it, whereas the diagrams show only one, but I believe the second is for ground, or so I hope. Secondly, the left main beam wire
connector is set up for 3 wires, with one of the three wires not connected. The right main beam has the two wires directly connected via male and female single
spade connectors. What type of connectors did you use?
When I tested the lighting, my results were as follows. 1. Dipped beams (outer headlights) work fine. 2. When the lighting stalk is pushed towards the
dash to engage the main beams, nothing happens. But I do hear a clicking sound. 3. When I check for power at the main beams, when the stalk is pushed towards
the dash, there is no power there.
I will check the fuses tomorrow, just in case. But chances are I would have noticed a blown fuse. What amp fuses did you use for 1,2 and 4? I will then
proceed to remove the dipped lights and check the wiring there.
How are things with you? Have you been driving the Mexico?
Mike
Mexico074 said:
Hi Paul...
I have begun working on my lighting, or namely lack of high beams (main beams)... The first think I notice is an issue with the documentation.
In the Mexico manual, it indicates fuses 1 and 2 are for the main beams, and fuse 4 is for the dipped beams. The wiring diagrams 1 and 6 indicate fuses 1 and 2
are for the low beams (dipped beams). Which is correct?
I removed the main beams (high beams here in the US - the two inner lights) to check the wiring and find some interesting things. First each main beam
has two wires going to it, whereas the diagrams show only one, but I believe the second is for ground, or so I hope. Secondly, the left main beam wire
connector is set up for 3 wires, with one of the three wires not connected. The right main beam has the two wires directly connected via male and female single
spade connectors. What type of connectors did you use?
When I tested the lighting, my results were as follows. 1. Dipped beams (outer headlights) work fine. 2. When the lighting stalk is pushed towards the
dash to engage the main beams, nothing happens. But I do hear a clicking sound. 3. When I check for power at the main beams, when the stalk is pushed towards
the dash, there is no power there.
I will check the fuses tomorrow, just in case. But chances are I would have noticed a blown fuse. What amp fuses did you use for 1,2 and 4? I will then
proceed to remove the dipped lights and check the wiring there.
How are things with you? Have you been driving the Mexico?
Mike
Hi MikeI have begun working on my lighting, or namely lack of high beams (main beams)... The first think I notice is an issue with the documentation.
In the Mexico manual, it indicates fuses 1 and 2 are for the main beams, and fuse 4 is for the dipped beams. The wiring diagrams 1 and 6 indicate fuses 1 and 2
are for the low beams (dipped beams). Which is correct?
I removed the main beams (high beams here in the US - the two inner lights) to check the wiring and find some interesting things. First each main beam
has two wires going to it, whereas the diagrams show only one, but I believe the second is for ground, or so I hope. Secondly, the left main beam wire
connector is set up for 3 wires, with one of the three wires not connected. The right main beam has the two wires directly connected via male and female single
spade connectors. What type of connectors did you use?
When I tested the lighting, my results were as follows. 1. Dipped beams (outer headlights) work fine. 2. When the lighting stalk is pushed towards the
dash to engage the main beams, nothing happens. But I do hear a clicking sound. 3. When I check for power at the main beams, when the stalk is pushed towards
the dash, there is no power there.
I will check the fuses tomorrow, just in case. But chances are I would have noticed a blown fuse. What amp fuses did you use for 1,2 and 4? I will then
proceed to remove the dipped lights and check the wiring there.
How are things with you? Have you been driving the Mexico?
Mike
I'll get back to you with a detailed responce later, however one thing that completly threw me was that the relays wouldn't click over if I had the battery conditioner connected.
If you're looking at the headlights operation, make sure you disconnect the car from any charger / conditioner.
Cheers
Paul
Hi Paul..
I will sincerely appreciate any help you can give! However, the plot thickens and I believe I have a wiring mess/nightmare on my hands.
I was out in the garage testing today and found some interesting things. Here is a summary:
1. My low beam (dipped) lights come on with the battery connected and the light switch in its upper most position. Doesn't matter
if the key is in the ignition, in the on position, or engine running.
2. Fuse 7 controls my low beam (dipped) lights. If fuse 7 is not installed, the low beam (dipped) lights do not come on.
3. Fuse 3 controls my front and rear parking lights and the engine compartment light. Light switch must be on and battery connected for fuse 3 to be hot.
Tomorrow I will need to test the low beam (dipped) lights with fuse 3 removed and fuse 7 installed. If the low beam (dipped) lights work, then it appears
a previous owner has had the car rewired to have the low beam (dipped) lights work with fuse 7, instead of fuses 1 and 2. According to my manual, fuse 7
should control the windshield wipers along with the headlamp flashing lights. Would these be the low beam (dipped) or the high beam (main) lights that flash
with fuse 7?
Maybe I should start crying now, or perhaps drink more beer!
Mike
I will sincerely appreciate any help you can give! However, the plot thickens and I believe I have a wiring mess/nightmare on my hands.
I was out in the garage testing today and found some interesting things. Here is a summary:
1. My low beam (dipped) lights come on with the battery connected and the light switch in its upper most position. Doesn't matter
if the key is in the ignition, in the on position, or engine running.
2. Fuse 7 controls my low beam (dipped) lights. If fuse 7 is not installed, the low beam (dipped) lights do not come on.
3. Fuse 3 controls my front and rear parking lights and the engine compartment light. Light switch must be on and battery connected for fuse 3 to be hot.
Tomorrow I will need to test the low beam (dipped) lights with fuse 3 removed and fuse 7 installed. If the low beam (dipped) lights work, then it appears
a previous owner has had the car rewired to have the low beam (dipped) lights work with fuse 7, instead of fuses 1 and 2. According to my manual, fuse 7
should control the windshield wipers along with the headlamp flashing lights. Would these be the low beam (dipped) or the high beam (main) lights that flash
with fuse 7?
Maybe I should start crying now, or perhaps drink more beer!
Mike
Hi again Paul..
My second post for the day on the lights...
I couldn't take it so I ran out to the garage before the wife came home, and before I started drinking beer!
I was correct, my low beam (dipped) lights work with fuse 3 removed, fuse 7 installed, and the light switch in its upper most position.
I then tested the high beam (main) lights with the rod pushed towards the dash, which should turn the high beam (main) lights on. Fuse
4 became hot at this point. According to my manual, fuse 4 should control the low beams (dipped) (anabbaglianti), and fuses 1 and 2 should
be the high beam (main) (abbagliante) lights. My gut feel here is someone has miswired the fuse box.
Correct me here if I am wrong, but when the light switch is in the upper most position, fuse 4 should be hot and the low beam (dipped) lights should
be on. If the high beam (main) rod is pushed to towards the dash, fuses 1 and 2 should become hot, and the high beam (main) lights should come on.
Perhaps if I connect the correct wires to the correct fuses, things will work. I will also need to check the low beam (dipped) light wiring...
MIke
My second post for the day on the lights...
I couldn't take it so I ran out to the garage before the wife came home, and before I started drinking beer!
I was correct, my low beam (dipped) lights work with fuse 3 removed, fuse 7 installed, and the light switch in its upper most position.
I then tested the high beam (main) lights with the rod pushed towards the dash, which should turn the high beam (main) lights on. Fuse
4 became hot at this point. According to my manual, fuse 4 should control the low beams (dipped) (anabbaglianti), and fuses 1 and 2 should
be the high beam (main) (abbagliante) lights. My gut feel here is someone has miswired the fuse box.
Correct me here if I am wrong, but when the light switch is in the upper most position, fuse 4 should be hot and the low beam (dipped) lights should
be on. If the high beam (main) rod is pushed to towards the dash, fuses 1 and 2 should become hot, and the high beam (main) lights should come on.
Perhaps if I connect the correct wires to the correct fuses, things will work. I will also need to check the low beam (dipped) light wiring...
MIke
Hi Paul..
Day 3 on the lights, and I think I have it all solved.. As it turns out there were several issues: 1. No power to fuses 1 and 2, and 2. missing wiring at
the lights themselves.
As I mentioned yesterday, I tested the fuses with the high beam (main) lever pushed towards the dash. At this point fuses 1 and 2 still had no power,but fuse
4 was getting power. This morning I disconnected the power lead to fuse 4 and jumped it to fuses 1 and 2. I now had power to the inner high beam (main) lights, but not at the outer. As I also mentioned yesterday, there were only two wires on the right outer most light... One was ground and the other was for the low beam (dipped) light. There was no wire for the outer high beam. I got some 16 awg wire and ran a lead from the inner to the outer high beam (main) light.After splicing and making sure the correct connections were set, I tested the right (passenger) side of the car. I now have low beam (dipped) light when the
switch is in the upper most position. When I move the high beam (main) light lever towards the dash, I now have both the inner and outer high beam (main) lights!
YEAH!!!! I also noticed I have the blue indicator light on the dash turning on and off appropriately.
Of course this was the easy side as it was easy to remove the air filter housing to gain access to the right side wiring. Tomorrow, I will work on the left
(driver) side. This won't be as easy, as I don't want to remove the brake boosters, and as such, access to the wiring is extremely limited. But I am on my
way now, I think.. I will still have to find a way to connect the power lead to fuses 1 and 2 permanently, but I will get to this. I will also have to figure
out why the low beam (dipped) lights are still routed through fuse 7 versus fuse 4. This is not as critical, but I should try and get this correct!
Anyway, progress is being made!
Mike
Day 3 on the lights, and I think I have it all solved.. As it turns out there were several issues: 1. No power to fuses 1 and 2, and 2. missing wiring at
the lights themselves.
As I mentioned yesterday, I tested the fuses with the high beam (main) lever pushed towards the dash. At this point fuses 1 and 2 still had no power,but fuse
4 was getting power. This morning I disconnected the power lead to fuse 4 and jumped it to fuses 1 and 2. I now had power to the inner high beam (main) lights, but not at the outer. As I also mentioned yesterday, there were only two wires on the right outer most light... One was ground and the other was for the low beam (dipped) light. There was no wire for the outer high beam. I got some 16 awg wire and ran a lead from the inner to the outer high beam (main) light.After splicing and making sure the correct connections were set, I tested the right (passenger) side of the car. I now have low beam (dipped) light when the
switch is in the upper most position. When I move the high beam (main) light lever towards the dash, I now have both the inner and outer high beam (main) lights!
YEAH!!!! I also noticed I have the blue indicator light on the dash turning on and off appropriately.
Of course this was the easy side as it was easy to remove the air filter housing to gain access to the right side wiring. Tomorrow, I will work on the left
(driver) side. This won't be as easy, as I don't want to remove the brake boosters, and as such, access to the wiring is extremely limited. But I am on my
way now, I think.. I will still have to find a way to connect the power lead to fuses 1 and 2 permanently, but I will get to this. I will also have to figure
out why the low beam (dipped) lights are still routed through fuse 7 versus fuse 4. This is not as critical, but I should try and get this correct!
Anyway, progress is being made!
Mike
It sounds like progress Mike, you'll be ready for that beer soon!
I typed a long response yesterday but got the dreaded 'Pistonheads has a problem' and the text was lost. Regardless, it sounds like you are getting to the bottom of the problem which is good. The wiring on mine is just as that coloured wiring diagram I sent you earlier, with fuses 1 and 2 serving the high beam, one via a grey wire and one being grey / black. At the headlight end, the black wires to the moulded plugs are 'earth' and the green / black wire serving the low beams.
The operation of the headlights on mine is correct (according to McGrath Maserati) although it doesn't appear to be logical....
With the headlight switch in the 'off' position, the outer lamps flash when the indicator stalk is pulled back, nothing happens when the stalk is pushed towards the dash.
With the headlight switch in the middle (side-lights) position, the rear lights come on, the under-bonnet and boot lights come on (when open), the side lights at the front as well as all the dash-lights. The indicator stalk operates in the same way as above.
With the headlights fully on, all is as above except the stalk operates differently. With the stalk in the middle position, both high and low beam (inner and outer) lamps are illuminated along with the dashboard warning. Pulling the stalk back flashes off the outer lamps, and when the stalk is pushed away them only the low beam lamps are illuminated.
Meaning, when you switch the headlights on fully to get the low-beam lamps, you also have to push the stalk away otherwise you end up with high beam. I'm going to call it 'character' lol.
Best of luck Mike
Paul
I typed a long response yesterday but got the dreaded 'Pistonheads has a problem' and the text was lost. Regardless, it sounds like you are getting to the bottom of the problem which is good. The wiring on mine is just as that coloured wiring diagram I sent you earlier, with fuses 1 and 2 serving the high beam, one via a grey wire and one being grey / black. At the headlight end, the black wires to the moulded plugs are 'earth' and the green / black wire serving the low beams.
The operation of the headlights on mine is correct (according to McGrath Maserati) although it doesn't appear to be logical....
With the headlight switch in the 'off' position, the outer lamps flash when the indicator stalk is pulled back, nothing happens when the stalk is pushed towards the dash.
With the headlight switch in the middle (side-lights) position, the rear lights come on, the under-bonnet and boot lights come on (when open), the side lights at the front as well as all the dash-lights. The indicator stalk operates in the same way as above.
With the headlights fully on, all is as above except the stalk operates differently. With the stalk in the middle position, both high and low beam (inner and outer) lamps are illuminated along with the dashboard warning. Pulling the stalk back flashes off the outer lamps, and when the stalk is pushed away them only the low beam lamps are illuminated.
Meaning, when you switch the headlights on fully to get the low-beam lamps, you also have to push the stalk away otherwise you end up with high beam. I'm going to call it 'character' lol.
Best of luck Mike
Paul
Hi Paul...
Thanks for getting back to me.. I now have all lights working correctly, I think! I even believe the flashing is working correctly.
Tomorrow, I will test thoroughly and if everything checks out, I will clean up some of the wiring. I still have to deal with the
fuse box however, and this is where I could use your help. I am not sure the power-in leads are connected correctly. Is it possible
for you to perhaps disconnect your fuse box from the side of the frame and provide a very good color picture of the back side of the
fuse box? I can then compare the power-in lead colors to mine. Based on my lighting problem, I know for a fact that some things were
not wired correctly.
Also, I now need to turn my attention to the horns. My car has two different horns, one round smaller unit, and then the two trumpets
that work off a compressor. What information do you have on these? Mine don't seem to be working at all! In fact, how are they supposed
to work?
What is the latest with your Mexico? I had hoped to see some pictures of you and the car out on the road having fun!
Thanks...
Mike
Thanks for getting back to me.. I now have all lights working correctly, I think! I even believe the flashing is working correctly.
Tomorrow, I will test thoroughly and if everything checks out, I will clean up some of the wiring. I still have to deal with the
fuse box however, and this is where I could use your help. I am not sure the power-in leads are connected correctly. Is it possible
for you to perhaps disconnect your fuse box from the side of the frame and provide a very good color picture of the back side of the
fuse box? I can then compare the power-in lead colors to mine. Based on my lighting problem, I know for a fact that some things were
not wired correctly.
Also, I now need to turn my attention to the horns. My car has two different horns, one round smaller unit, and then the two trumpets
that work off a compressor. What information do you have on these? Mine don't seem to be working at all! In fact, how are they supposed
to work?
What is the latest with your Mexico? I had hoped to see some pictures of you and the car out on the road having fun!
Thanks...
Mike
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