Quattroporte III catch-all thread

I'm looking at the wiring diagram and I'm not seeing any resistor pack. It just shows 3 wires going from the switch to the fan with a plug in the middle somewhere. I'd suspect the plug.
Do you have the rotary controls or the sliders?
Tony

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/maserati/305467-1981-qp-iii-5-speed-1986-qp-iii-auto-13.html
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachments/maserati/1603382d1350480198-1981-qp-iii-5-speed-1986-qp-iii-auto-img_2186.jpg

If you look at the link to my thread above you can see the panel. I have heard the resistor used before and I am pretty sure my older car has it but need to look at this one.

Best
William

 

Hello Tony...

I just looked at my electrical wiring diagram for the QPIII and I see it as number 187,
at position B1 on the large diagram... Description for 187 is Air conditioner fan speed
resistor...

Mike

 

Hi I don't have my book here. It is with the car. Can you send this or tell me the location. I think it is on a mounting just behind the radiator?

 

Hello William..

Attached is a photo showing the resistor pack on the QPIII elec diagram (#187)...
Although the diagram shows it by the driver (USA) side headlights, the actual
location on my car (1982) was between the radiator and the water pump. It was attached
to the cooling fan housing.. You may have to look a little as it could have been
moved over the years..

Hope this helps...

Mike
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I've seen resistor packs on a variety of cars and they are usually mounted within the flow of air that's going into the passenger compartment because they don't get all that hot. So they are usually in the interior of the car near the fan somewhere.

In my previous post I was referring to the first attachment below when I said I don't see a resistor pack in the wiring diagram. #114 & #115.

Then I flipped a few pages and found the next attachment where one does exist and nothing is numbered. The slider controls I presume? My 1979 has the rotary knobs.
I'm also seeing a Fan High Speed relay and two additional fuses which should be checked.

I don't think my 1979 has a resistor pack because I looked under the hood and see nothing like that was pictured earlier. (Third attachment) Maybe that empty bracket in the picture is where it's supposed to be?
Hope something helps here.
Tony
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Hi Tony...

Glad you were able to find it on a diagram somewhere... Do you have the big diagram
showing all the wiring?? The coordinates are referenced in the booklet that comes with
the diagram.. It has been a big help to me, and "normally" shows approximately where
a component is located...

I found one picture in my collection showing the resistor pack on the car.. Look in the
lower left corner and you can make out the cage...

I am working on making this look nicer!!! Note also how the carbs are set low in the
lower filter box... NO easy way to get the carbs off... Normally I would have removed
the intake manifold with the carbs attached, but that won't work here.. The lower filter
box blocks the access.. Next pic is of the carbs next to the lower filter housing...
I think a tiny bit of cleaning is in order!

Mike
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Yes I have that blue print-like wiring diagram. It's very useful but can be misleading at times. It doesn't always match the booklet that comes with it or the car itself.

I see that resistor pack. Interesting. I definitely don't have one.

My air cleaner is waaaay different and much simpler. I guess it's due to the euro version. And very few vacuum lines. I could have removed the entire manifold along with the carbs but chose not to.

The wood prop bar is a nice touch! ;-)

 

Thanks Tony.. I think the wooden hood prop is a nice touch as well... I think I'll keep it
in the trunk for future use.. Adds that extra touch of class..

Actually, I do have new struts for the hood, but will wait to install them..

I did some additional checking on the blower fan resistor pack, and found the following:

1. It is shown in the 1982 specific parts supplement book, on table 26, item 45, and is called
a resistor

2. It is NOT the same as that used on the Biturbo.. I bought a used one for my Biturbo,
so pulled it off the shelf and compared it to the QPIII's... The QPIII's has 4 electrical
connections while the Biturbo's has 3.

Since there is a 1982 specific parts supplement book, I wonder if all these items were
carried forward on the future model years... Does anybody know?

Mike

 

Hi Quattroporte3...

I am surprised your car does not have the resistor pack.. It controls the AC/Heater Blower
fan speeds. When you move the fan switch, the resistance changes and increases/decreases
the fan speed. Does your fan work properly (ie: changes speeds)? If so, there must be
something similar somewhere, I would think.

Yes, my carb setup is a royal pin in the %$#* to work on.. I think this might have been
specific to 1982 model year. Diagrams for the carb set up are NOT shown in the regular
QPIII parts manual, but are shown in the 1982 specific parts supplement booklet. And yes,
the lower half is in the way for everything. I had to bend tools to make them fit to remove
the carbs, which had to be removed first, so the lower filter housing could be removed, before the intake manifold could be removed. With your car you can probably remove the
intake with the carbs attached!!

I have also restarted my 1982 thread with a question... If you get a chance, please take
a look..

Mike

 

Hello guys!

Hope all is well with, here the first snowstorm has started
Including a picture of my QP3 under such conditions!

Since my car is used a lot, I also needed a proper radio and proper sound.
Was considering a Becker Mexico 7948.
http://www.mybecker.com/enUK/hauptnavigation/automotive-archiv/mexiko-7948/ueberblick/
To expensive to be honest.
So opted for a Retrosound Modeltwo.
RetroSoundUSA.com - Classic Style Radio Systems
Turned out rather nicely, and the sound was more than adequate.
Including a picture of that installed as well.

Now for some questions.
The car is very good, and does not demand a lot of work.
But there are some issues.

1. The oil temp gauge starts at 90C and spikes after 10 minutes about.
Sensor related, or gauge??
2. None of the electric windows work like they should. Stop halfway, some don't move at all. Fiddly job this? change the cogs to the metal type I guess?
3. Then the front a-arm bushings. Did this on my Merak, similar job I guess.
4. Cosmetic jobs, a few dents etc. That is a summer job.

Cheers, Jarle
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Hmmm standard fixes and nice to see the early model like mine with the rotary dials and it looks to be in great condition. Every car seems to need new oil sending units. Electric windows seem to turn to glue inside. I would like to get a modern unit to replace it with. I think to make it work you will likely need to service the unit, lube appropriately and replace the channels in the windows. Front ends are weak. I have a new shock unit designed by Ohlins in the UK that will fit and take some of the strain but front suspension always needs doing……. More fixes on the threads here

 

Well, yes there are some fixes to be done.
Oil sending unit will be bought quite soon.
The electric windows I will do as a spring project.
The Ohlins shock, expensive stuff?

I do like the rotary dials, personally I prefer them.
And it is a very nice car, in very good nick.
There are some cosmetic interior things to be done too, but will do that under way.

Cheers!

 

I opted for the retrosound unit also except I went with the euro trim package. I have the battery disconnected so I can't light it up at the moment. But it really goes well with the car and it's modern enough for Bluetooth utilizing a $17 adapter hidden in the compartment under the steering wheel. I love that thing!

In the trunk I mounted a ZAPCO. It's real loud!
I need to tidy-up the wires.
Tony
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* Proper radios are available everywhere. One's without disco-flashy light up the entire front half of the car lightshow in the display ;-)

You can set the text to default green like all radios had at that time.
Haven't had the time to do that yet.

* Check out: Oldautoradio - PORSCHE 80's

Well, I am a computer programmer. Usually stream music from my phone or from a USB stick. I wanted a modern radio that looks right for the time.

* to get you started. Dump that garish faux 60's plasti-chromed thing in the bin!

All of the buttons and facias can be changed to whatever material you want.
Personally I like it, and the chrome on the gearleaver suits it nicely I think.
The Becker Mexico 7948 is the one I want, but at 2500£ it's a bit on the expensive side!


* Oil tempo at 90C? You're in the tropics, right? What with all that snow and all... Check the sensor and wiring first.

Yes, it shows 90C at startup, so something is definately fishy

*Electric windows. They were never particularly quick to begin with, but stopping halfway is definitely not how they were designed. It could be several things. Most probably dried out lube on the tracks and motors, next up would be worn out and dirty felts and guides, lastly is possible misalignment.

I will split the doors one by one when time permits!

* Getting the windows and guides all straight and in place without messing up the paint is a really delicate and difficult job. Definitely a winter project

I guessed so. Will have to do this when my other projects are done, probably spring.
Thanks for the info.

* because you have to open the door panels and pull everything out, which is a major PITA.

Sure!

* I'd go with William's suggestion to see if there's a replacement that will drop in. Invariably it will be smaller, lighter, more powerful and draw less current than the original, and best of all no one will ever know it's there!

Def. agree!

* Since the car sat for 15 years unused, I would guess gummed up lubrication is probably the place to start looking.

Agree!

* Haven't done the bushings myself, but most stuff on these cars is pretty straightforward.

Sure, like most elder cars. A bit easier than new cars, that's for sure.

* I have William's original custom dampers on my car, and would recommend them to anyone. The biggest problem is the shop finding time to put a set together! The price is higher than MIE's set, but cheaper than OEM from Campana. Just barely. But they're very high quality, can be rebuilt easily, and are adjustable while they're on the car.

Thanks, anyone have any info on them? Link?

* You could probably push the dent on the driver's door out while you're in there taking care of the window motors. Just a thought.

My plan exactly.

* Personally, I'd rather buy a car with higher mileage that was driven regularly and maintained than one that sat in a museum or garage unused for decades.

I do agree, and was highly skeptical. At this stage I have driven the cars 2000kmtrs without one single hickup. It has been through quite a bit of jobs since the revival, it does seem to be running very nicely I must say. Even a bit impressed I must add!

* But it still looks like a really great car. Once you take care of all the little things that pop up with these cars you'll be good to go.

Sure, lotsa people called me a nutcase having a Biturbo as a daily driver, but that car has been a very good car to me. Even in deep snow and -30C.

 

Like you I need some modern comforts. Like bluetooth and usb playing. But also a proper radio that can hold a frequency!

I chose the chrome surround, since the gearleaver has chrome as well.
But buttons and facia can be changed easily!

Looks good!

 

Thanks!

Ah, Nice Shiny rebuilt carbs reinstalled!
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1975 Ford Fairlane window motors are $15 in a junk yard and bold right up and work 100x"s better than $480 Maserati units. I have been there and done that.

 

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