[ap3xt]

Hello everyone,

Im a first time maserati owner and i bought a used 2017 ghibli sq4 that has around 66k miles on it. I've noticed 2 concerning issues that im not aware what are the cause and what the fixes can be.

Issue #1: Car starts fine, and turns on and off fine during normal use. However, whenever I get gas, and only the times I put gas in the car, turning the car back on after putting gas in seems to be an issue. It like cranks for 2-3 seconds and fails. I try it again and it does the same thing cranks for 2-3 seconds but then it would turn on. Sometimes it takes 2-4 tries before the engine turns on and im able to drive off fine. This only happens when I put gas into the car. I use premium 94 gas if its a concern. After driving off and stopping 30 minutes later, turning the car on and off turns on perfectly fine, it seems to only trigger after I put gasoline into the car.

Issue #2: Whenever im at a stop or when the car is idling, I notice its struggling to stay on. I turn off the automatic stop/start function cause I fear the car turning off at a red light to save gas and then wont turn back on. I notice the RPM stick moves up and down below the number 1 when idling, and the car exhaust sound noticeably goes up and down in volume. The car has never shut off on me while driving or whenever im at a stop or idling, but I feel like its about by the way the car is kind of rocking back and forth.

Is this something that can be an easy fix and will it be pricey?
The only modification ive done to the car was a resonator delete.

 

[CatmanV2]

You need to scan the car to determine what the CEL code is (you posted on Maserati Life)

C

 

[ap3xt]

Update: error code P2188 came up during a scan.

 

[Mark301]

P2188 apparently isn't a confined code for 'one' particular problem...it could indicate various areas that need looking at. From what I can ascertain, it can indicate a fuel problem & is most 'likely' related to the car running too rich. Lots of reasons why that can happen, from manifold air hose leaks, the fuel emission carbon canister saturated with petrol, the fuel filler cap seal...the list goes on.

I'm guessing the 2 problems are related...as in they are both fuel related. Idle should be a constant 750rpm when warm & in drive stopped with the brake applied. It should not hunt up & down. Idle on cold start is around 1000rpm & one other instance the idle is increased is when the car is at normal operating temperature during conditions where the the outside air temperature (ambient temp) exceeds 30c (or for all the nice US folks here...86f). The cars idle is increased to 950rpm in drive with the brake applied. Temps exceeding 30c are common in Australia & this summer we have seen 45c...or for you nice guys over there...113f. Very hot. Good news is the car has never overheated...good work Maserati. I assume the higher rpm in the heat is to increase the water pump flow...& you know the rest to why that is good.

Back to your problem. Well my feeling is to take it to a dealer (at least to discuss with them) or you may have a good mechanic who can do some elimination work for you. Because P2188 covers many problems it will be either good knowledge from Maserati or a little more long & drawn out process.

Please let the forum know the outcome. Tomorrow it could be mine doing the same thing so important to give feed back.

Good luck...look forward to seeing you get this sorted out...Cheers...Mark

 

[MaseratiCares]

Hello everyone,

Im a first time maserati owner and i bought a used 2017 ghibli sq4 that has around 66k miles on it. I've noticed 2 concerning issues that im not aware what are the cause and what the fixes can be.

Issue #1: Car starts fine, and turns on and off fine during normal use. However, whenever I get gas, and only the times I put gas in the car, turning the car back on after putting gas in seems to be an issue. It like cranks for 2-3 seconds and fails. I try it again and it does the same thing cranks for 2-3 seconds but then it would turn on. Sometimes it takes 2-4 tries before the engine turns on and im able to drive off fine. This only happens when I put gas into the car. I use premium 94 gas if its a concern. After driving off and stopping 30 minutes later, turning the car on and off turns on perfectly fine, it seems to only trigger after I put gasoline into the car.

Issue #2: Whenever im at a stop or when the car is idling, I notice its struggling to stay on. I turn off the automatic stop/start function cause I fear the car turning off at a red light to save gas and then wont turn back on. I notice the RPM stick moves up and down below the number 1 when idling, and the car exhaust sound noticeably goes up and down in volume. The car has never shut off on me while driving or whenever im at a stop or idling, but I feel like its about by the way the car is kind of rocking back and forth.

Is this something that can be an easy fix and will it be pricey?
The only modification ive done to the car was a resonator delete.

Hey there,

We understand that this would feel concerning. If you decide to address this with your dealership, please reach out to us. We're available via direct messaging.

Callie
Maserati Cares

 

[oz.in.colo]

FWIW i experience the same issue with the fill up. Mine issue seems directly proportional to how much gas i put in. I.e. if I fill 1/4 tank it takes 1/4 of the effort to restart the car. If I fill up 1/2 a tank it takes about 2x the time than for the 1/4 tank fill.

Check engine light codes I've gotten are different to yours, and related to gross evap emissions testing leak. Did try a smoke test, nothing abnormal. So i haven't found the "leak", but I did replace the control valve / charcoal canister bit near the right rear tire. It didn't help, chose pops up a couple of days to a week later.

 

[cuffhill]

Hello everyone,

Im a first time maserati owner and i bought a used 2017 ghibli sq4 that has around 66k miles on it. I've noticed 2 concerning issues that im not aware what are the cause and what the fixes can be.

Issue #1: Car starts fine, and turns on and off fine during normal use. However, whenever I get gas, and only the times I put gas in the car, turning the car back on after putting gas in seems to be an issue. It like cranks for 2-3 seconds and fails. I try it again and it does the same thing cranks for 2-3 seconds but then it would turn on. Sometimes it takes 2-4 tries before the engine turns on and im able to drive off fine. This only happens when I put gas into the car. I use premium 94 gas if its a concern. After driving off and stopping 30 minutes later, turning the car on and off turns on perfectly fine, it seems to only trigger after I put gasoline into the car.

Issue #2: Whenever im at a stop or when the car is idling, I notice its struggling to stay on. I turn off the automatic stop/start function cause I fear the car turning off at a red light to save gas and then wont turn back on. I notice the RPM stick moves up and down below the number 1 when idling, and the car exhaust sound noticeably goes up and down in volume. The car has never shut off on me while driving or whenever im at a stop or idling, but I feel like its about by the way the car is kind of rocking back and forth.

Is this something that can be an easy fix and will it be pricey?
The only modification ive done to the car was a resonator delete.

Have you ever replace the plugs . You should be on your third set of spark pluga

 

[cuffhill]

Hello everyone,

Im a first time maserati owner and i bought a used 2017 ghibli sq4 that has around 66k miles on it. I've noticed 2 concerning issues that im not aware what are the cause and what the fixes can be.

Issue #1: Car starts fine, and turns on and off fine during normal use. However, whenever I get gas, and only the times I put gas in the car, turning the car back on after putting gas in seems to be an issue. It like cranks for 2-3 seconds and fails. I try it again and it does the same thing cranks for 2-3 seconds but then it would turn on. Sometimes it takes 2-4 tries before the engine turns on and im able to drive off fine. This only happens when I put gas into the car. I use premium 94 gas if its a concern. After driving off and stopping 30 minutes later, turning the car on and off turns on perfectly fine, it seems to only trigger after I put gasoline into the car.

Issue #2: Whenever im at a stop or when the car is idling, I notice its struggling to stay on. I turn off the automatic stop/start function cause I fear the car turning off at a red light to save gas and then wont turn back on. I notice the RPM stick moves up and down below the number 1 when idling, and the car exhaust sound noticeably goes up and down in volume. The car has never shut off on me while driving or whenever im at a stop or idling, but I feel like its about by the way the car is kind of rocking back and forth.

Is this something that can be an easy fix and will it be pricey?
The only modification ive done to the car was a resonator delete.

Yes so I would start with plugs. But did you change air filters or did any kind of service when you bought it?. Because the reason your fuel mix is too rich could be related to a number if things primarily not enough air to fuel ratio

 

[oz.in.colo]

P2188 apparently isn't a confined code for 'one' particular problem...it could indicate various areas that need looking at. From what I can ascertain, it can indicate a fuel problem & is most 'likely' related to the car running too rich. Lots of reasons why that can happen, from manifold air hose leaks, the fuel emission carbon canister saturated with petrol, the fuel filler cap seal...the list goes on.

I'm guessing the 2 problems are related...as in they are both fuel related. Idle should be a constant 750rpm when warm & in drive stopped with the brake applied. It should not hunt up & down. Idle on cold start is around 1000rpm & one other instance the idle is increased is when the car is at normal operating temperature during conditions where the the outside air temperature (ambient temp) exceeds 30c (or for all the nice US folks here...86f). The cars idle is increased to 950rpm in drive with the brake applied. Temps exceeding 30c are common in Australia & this summer we have seen 45c...or for you nice guys over there...113f. Very hot. Good news is the car has never overheated...good work Maserati. I assume the higher rpm in the heat is to increase the water pump flow...& you know the rest to why that is good.

Back to your problem. Well my feeling is to take it to a dealer (at least to discuss with them) or you may have a good mechanic who can do some elimination work for you. Because P2188 covers many problems it will be either good knowledge from Maserati or a little more long & drawn out process.

Please let the forum know the outcome. Tomorrow it could be mine doing the same thing so important to give feed back.

Good luck...look forward to seeing you get this sorted out...Cheers...Mark

Mark,
FWIW I'm an expat Aussie and live in Colorado. I've driven my 17 Ghibli sq4 hard uphill at altitude ( 2300m/7600ft ++) at 40C / 100F and been suitably pleased at temps not climbing on the car. (Unlike my Biturbo or QP1 which often are a coin flip).
But I don't know why Maserati has ambient temp causing an increase in idle. Ideas?

 

[Youboughtawhatt]

I don’t have any experience solving this issue on Maseratis, but on other cars I’ve repaired, a tell tale sign of the evap purge valve sticking “open” allowing fuel vapors info the intake when they shouldn’t be, is hard starts/stalls or stumbling especially after a fuel tank fill up. Not sure how easy it is to replace but, might be worth looking into. This kind of issue Usually sets the CEL, but some didn’t.

another possibility it’s a vacuum leak allowing unmetered air into the engine. One way to test this is to spray some carb cleaner around any area you suspect leaking (air intakes, pcv etc) and see if the engine rpm changes as it burns the cleaner. Be careful trying that don’t soak the top of the engine, spray selectively if you do it.

 

[Youboughtawhatt]

FWIW i experience the same issue with the fill up. Mine issue seems directly proportional to how much gas i put in. I.e. if I fill 1/4 tank it takes 1/4 of the effort to restart the car. If I fill up 1/2 a tank it takes about 2x the time than for the 1/4 tank fill.

Check engine light codes I've gotten are different to yours, and related to gross evap emissions testing leak. Did try a smoke test, nothing abnormal. So i haven't found the "leak", but I did replace the control valve / charcoal canister bit near the right rear tire. It didn't help, chose pops up a couple of days to a week later.

by control valve do you mean the vent valve or purge valve? Just curious as replacing the vent valve likely wouldn’t solve the issue, especially if the smoke test was inconclusive. The purge valve is usually located on top of or near the engine.