Slow down message on a 3200GT

[PedroGTi]

Hi,

I have a friend with a '00 3200GT and he had got a "slow down" message when he had got to 120mph.

Now, everytime he switch on the ignition this message appears.

Anyone knows the possible trouble?

Another question is where is the damn OBD2 plug in the car? I can't find it anyway...

I hope someone can help me...

Thanks

[Hughesie2]

I wonder if he keeps it planted if the OBC would have a heart attack ??

[chris_crossley]

You have got to be kidding. Never seen it and not sure it's even on the dash. 120mph, i assume he's on an autobarn or airfield runway.

[PedroGTi]

Hi,

Autobahn of course...

I'll take a picture of the dash with the warning...

I've looking all over internet i didn't find a single car with the same problem...

OBD2 plug? Anyone knows where is it?

Thks...

[maser sod]

There's something in the manual about the conditions causing this light to come on - I think it may have something to do with the cat getting too hot, but I can't remember for sure.

Check my thread below for OBDII socket. It should be in the driver's footwell. What I've found makes me suspect that I'm pre-OBDII - 2000/2001 is around the cut-off point.

The OBDII socket should be a static 18-holer (possibly with a protective cover on, which will need removing). The one I've found is movable 3-holer. With pre-OBDII cars I think there can be more than one of these, and in different locations.

I've no idea how to perform pre-OBDII tests unfortunately.

Sorry not to be more accurate ...

[maserati3200gt]

Check my thread below for OBDII socket. It should be in the driver's footwell. What I've found makes me suspect that I'm pre-OBDII - 2000/2001 is around the cut-off point.

-------------------------------------------------------

Is there Pro's and Con's to have a Pre - OBDII ?
Whats the advantages for example ?

[sco]

The manual does say it comes on when the Cat gets too hot .

[mr_tony]

From a general ferrari point of view I userstood the message was related to the catalytic converter being too hot / damaged. Never seen or heard of this on a 3200 though.

I would get this checked out immediately, and if it was my car I wouldn't drive it until it'd been given a clean bill of health. If the cat really is disintegrating then it's not worth risking it....

[PedroGTi]

Thank you all for the help.

Meanwhile i've found the problem and that's what you are saying...

As far as i can found it's the cat temperature sensor that is not working or working badly.

The fact is confirmed with the different color of the tail pipes.

The 2 from the right are clean and the 2 from the left are black...

Thank you from the help...

[David A]

Well it has its good side if the cats are knackered, take em put em in a sack with a couple of heavy bricks and into the nearest lake. Buy a tubi for the backend and hey presto one awesome sounding 3200 All good and now nasty cat sensors telling you to slow down - more like a nice decat + tubi telling you to go faster, much faster

[minimax]

David A said:

Well it has its good side if the cats are knackered, take em put em in a sack with a couple of heavy bricks and into the nearest lake. Buy a tubi for the backend and hey presto one awesome sounding 3200 All good and now nasty cat sensors telling you to slow down - more like a nice decat + tubi telling you to go faster, much faster

[PedroGTi]

It's a good idea but maybe doing that i'll get the dashobard flashing like a xmas tree...

[dutchy]

I have had the slow down light come on twice in the last year.
On both occasions I was pushing the car hard, first time I had got up to 140mph, the second time driving hard through the gears.
Just slowed down and no problems, I assume it is the cat getting hot.
Never had it checked out as the car performs fine.
Its been about 5-6 months since it last came on.

>> Edited by dutchy on Friday 7th October 14:24

[maser sod]

maserati3200gt said:

Check my thread below for OBDII socket. It should be in the driver's footwell. What I've found makes me suspect that I'm pre-OBDII - 2000/2001 is around the cut-off point. ------------------------------------------------------- Is there Pro's and Con's to have a Pre - OBDII ? Whats the advantages for example ?

OBDII was introduced in the US around '96 I think as a standard to help monitor emissions.

I think the biggest difference between OBDII and what went before is that OBDII gives you a single diagnostic interface to your vehicle (you can also look at other 'interesting' bits and pieces like RPM too).

Before OBDII there was no standard, and no single I/F to diagnostic data. I think that's correct anyway, I'm no expert.

[Hughesie2]

mr_tony said:

From a general ferrari point of view I userstood the message was related to the catalytic converter being too hot / damaged. Never seen or heard of this on a 3200 though. I would get this checked out immediately, and if it was my car I wouldn't drive it until it'd been given a clean bill of health. If the cat really is disintegrating then it's not worth risking it....

Sounds like a great excuse to decat it if you ask me

[PedroGTi]

Dutchy:

But after that light comes on, did it appear everytime you start the engine?

My friend already had gone to 160 mph but now he can't, as soon he pass 120 mph the "Slow Down" starts to flash and the accelerator disables when he gets to 140 mph.

Monday we'll try to fix the cat temperature sensor. It isn't normal to have the tailpipes with diferent colors i think...

Cheers

[Davey S1]

Just had the same problem on the old mans 456.

Looks like its a faulty sensor as the car was stone cold and had only gone 500 yards when the light came on.

Its a common problem according to the tecnician at Bob Houghton's.

[dutchy]

PedroGTi said:

Dutchy: But after that light comes on, did it appear everytime you start the engine? Cheers

The light only came on when I got up to 140, the next time I noticed it I was pushing the car up and down through the gears around twisting roads.
I've been up to 120 several occasions since with no light.
Let me know the outcome!

Steve