| Author | Message | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 359 Registered: 11-2002 |
David is right...I thought that was a given. Usually low fluid or air in the system will make it intermitent or stop half way. BTW - it is a good practice when lowering the top after the sequence is complete..keep the button depressed for a second or two. A F tech posted this, stating it will bleed the air out of the res. | ||
| David (Nboy)
New member Username: Nboy Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2003 |
Ben, I have had similar troubles with my top in the past, and have resolved my troubles in each case by doing one of two things: 1) Used the manual switches to override and close the top; switches are located inside the small round caps on the transmission tunnel. Once closed, I cycled the top up and down a couple times and had no other trouble for months; 2) On one occasion when the top wouldn't close, the fluid was low in the hydraulic reservior. I hope this helps and you get your problem resolved. Haven't used the car in a bit, but when I do, the top goes up and down a few times a day; when parked for extended periods, the top should always be in the up position so the material doesn't shrink or crease. David | ||
| benedict caiola (Benedict)
New member Username: Benedict Post Number: 18 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Frank, that may very well be the problem. My handle is not as flush as yours appears to be so that may be the extra push I need to latch it. I'll WD-40 it and see what happens. Thanks so much for taking the time! Ben | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 352 Registered: 11-2002 |
When closing it is automatic until about the last 8 inches or so (the beep point)...then gravity drops it down. When I close mine, I stick out my hand on top of the front window to catch it, otherwise it will "slam" down. I think that if you let it slam down all the time it would impact the bushings on the last hinge. Here is where I'm talking about:  | ||
| P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
Member Username: Ferrari_fanatic Post Number: 604 Registered: 4-2003 |
Jeff, mine is exactly the same way. You pull it back until it beeps. When closing you do the inverse. The original poster states that he can not even latch the top closed. That is pretty weird. | ||
| Jeff (Jeff_m)
Junior Member Username: Jeff_m Post Number: 250 Registered: 9-2002 |
My top does not shut all the way to the latch. The last foot is done manually. Thought it was supposed to be that way. Same thing as when I put it down. I manually pull it back till it beeps and then it starts the process. | ||
| benedict caiola (Benedict)
New member Username: Benedict Post Number: 17 Registered: 9-2003 |
Frank, I think I know what you mean but a picture can't hurt. Greatly appreciate it! Thanks Ben | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 343 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ben - The prob has to been in the big hinge that is centered in the middle of the window. I just cycled mine to check. The rear hinges extend first during closing, then the most forward hinge (the one with what looks like a handle attached to it) closes last...so it must be in there. Shoot some WD40 or lithium grease if you have it...give it a wiggle and then recycle the roof. A friend of mine who also a 355 seems to have the same problem as the handle part of the hinge looks like it is slightly bent from yanking on it by hand. Also - that "handle" must be aligned flush with the rail or the arms will not extend all the way. Want me to post you a pix of the area I'm talking about or can you see it? | ||
| benedict caiola (Benedict)
New member Username: Benedict Post Number: 16 Registered: 9-2003 |
Frank, yes it is opening fine but stops just short of the latch. I'm afraid to go any distance with the car in case of a sudden rainstorm, I'm in deep sh!t. Luckily we've had a couple months of beautiful weather so it hasn't been a big problem. Thanks for the input everyone! | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 337 Registered: 11-2002 |
PS - May be a dumb question, but did you try to recycle it... run it through open cycle, then try to close again? | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 336 Registered: 11-2002 |
Like Doody - never had a problem with mine. Because I'm in FL I operate it 2 or 3 times a month...maybe that's the secret. However, I would prefer a manual operation like a Vette or older 450SL. It would be nice to just get out of the car and raise or lower it rather than going through all the whoopie do of seats moving, windows dropping, etc etc. If anybody can figure how it would be a blessing - The problem is the ECU and the trick would be do "fool" it or overide it somehow. Any electrical engineers out there...Q Benedict - Are you saying you are just shy of latching it (closing)..Q | ||
| john beaucher (Spider348)
Junior Member Username: Spider348 Post Number: 107 Registered: 11-2002 |
Benedict, not familiar with the automatic top operation on a 355 but my 348 spider shares the same top configuration. I would assume the actual top motion is the same. My 348 top has been up 3 days in the past 4 months, the rest of that period down. I have no problem raising and latching the top after extended periods down. It would appear the automatic mechanism is out of adjustment. If you have access to a schematic, locate the limit switches (if Ferrari uses these to control travel) and adjust. Again, only my opinion, worth exactly what you paid for it. Good luck. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1814 Registered: 11-2001 |
bummer, benedict. can't say i've ever had a problem, knock wood. arthritis-causing behavior and all. perhaps you might disable and disconnect the electric motor. then you could put it up and down purely manually. this might be an easier solution for you then replacing it. with only about 3,500 355 spiders in the world, i can't imagine anyone was too eager to build replacement tops - unless they cost five figures... doody. | ||
| spanky mcdoogle (Spanker)
New member Username: Spanker Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2003 |
Seems a bad top is a small price to pay for looking cool..Ya think? | ||
| benedict caiola (Benedict)
New member Username: Benedict Post Number: 15 Registered: 9-2003 |
I've searched the archives and have not come across this exact problem. My 355 top is basically nothing but trouble. The latest scenario is that it stopped about an eighth of an inch short of the latch and now won't latch at all. I haven't kept the top down for more than a few days at a clip. Would that be enough to give it "arthritis"?. On a related note, I actually hate the mechanism of this top and would love to replace the entire thing with a smooth, efficient running system. Anyone ever looked into this? is it prohibitively expensive. I plan to keep the car forever so I can justify a reasonable cost. This is the only sour spot on an otherwise perfect Ferrari experience! Thanks for the input. |