| Author | Message | ||
| Kds (Kds)
Junior Member Username: Kds Post Number: 180 Registered: 5-2003 |
Jeff's advice regarding "quiet" repairs to known defects is very valid in regards to any and all cars BTW. It sure helps to have a factory mechanic and/or service advisor/manager as your friend if you own something like this.....or the internet of course. | ||
| Kevin Deal (Tube_guy)
Junior Member Username: Tube_guy Post Number: 51 Registered: 5-2003 |
There are always parts upgrades being made as manufacturers come up with better or cheaper ways to do it. They will almost never call earlier owners to have a new part installed. It's that way in any business. Can you imagine the cost of doing so...in many cases for no reason? And in fact sometimes to the detriment of the car? I have never owned a car that in the next 6 months some changes were made. In the case of the 360, the build and engineering was done in Germany by the same company that has the Mercedes relationship. It is a complex sucka! | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1816 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think it is important to differentiate Ferrari SPA from Ferrari North America (FNA). I think it is FNA that are the cheapskates in the warranty/service issues. It takes a dedicated dealer (and there ARE some that I hear about on this List), to "go to bat" for you with FNA and make things right.... | ||
| J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
Member Username: Jeff Post Number: 261 Registered: 2-2001 |
One cause of top malfunction is too hot hydraulic fluid. This should not be a concern in most areas of the country but here in Phoenix when it's 115 and you've been running the car hard...the engine compartment can get real hot. It's something to consider. | ||
| Steven J. Solomon (Solly)
Member Username: Solly Post Number: 589 Registered: 6-2001 |
I have had the same problem and it has been "fixed" twice, at 2 different Ferrari dealers. It still happens occassionally. If reversing the procedure as described above doesn't work (and most times it won't), turn ignition off, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on, start engine and try again. Engine MUST be running to supply the minimum voltage requirement. This technique has always worked for me. Sometimes the computer becomes confused. I got this advice from someone else on this board, and i thank him/her for it. It has saved me from getting drenched a few times. Funny enough, after dealing with this problem for a few months it suddenly cured itself and doesn't happen any more. | ||
| jake diamond (Rampante)
Junior Member Username: Rampante Post Number: 138 Registered: 4-2002 |
Yet another fine example of how Ferrari tries SO hard to lose its customers to the new competitors nipping at their market. Are they really THAT dumb ? | ||
| J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
Member Username: Jeff Post Number: 259 Registered: 2-2001 |
"I cannot believe Ferrari has not fixed the top problem after three years" Ferrai may have fixed the problem (on future cars) they just haven't told the past customers that there is a fix. And the sad part is that Ferrari won't tell the customer there is a fix. Ferrari NEVER uses the words "problem/fix" because it will cost them money. Ferrari tells the dealers this, "we are now using part X inplace of part Y." Here's something else you may not know. Say you bring your 360 Spider in for normal service. And let's say you never have had a problem with the top. Let's also say that the dealer is aware that part X is now being used in place of part Y. The dealer is NOT allowed to automatically change that part because the customer has not complained about the top. It's up to the customer to complain first then the dealer can fix the problem. I am only using this situation as a hypothetical. I don't know if there has been a fix for the top problems. But let me give you a real example. Remember when the gas guage would not register properly? This was on the 1999-2001 360s. Ferrari changed a part on the 2002 models to fix the problem. Did Ferrari notify all the previous owners about the fix? NO!!!. So a word to the wise. The next time you take your spider in for service, mention that the top is acting up. Maybe there is fix and the owners are not aware. | ||
| Nick Berry (Nickb)
Junior Member Username: Nickb Post Number: 136 Registered: 8-2002 |
Eli that is exactly what I mean. Close the top and start again. Mr C. is right the top stuck in the open position will loss preasuure after a certain time period and will come down but not in a secured position. I cannot believe Ferrari has not fixed the top problem after three years.  | ||
| Mr. C (Mr_c)
New member Username: Mr_c Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2003 |
In order to operate the soft top, the following conditions must be met; * Engine compartment closed * Battery voltage >10.6 volts * Key in the "ON" position * Speed less than 5 mph * The hand brake does not need to be set- however it is advised to do so. | ||
| ELI (Titanium360)
Member Username: Titanium360 Post Number: 598 Registered: 4-2002 |
Nick, by reversing the process you mean if i am trying to open the top, i should close it first and restart the opening process once again? | ||
| ELI (Titanium360)
Member Username: Titanium360 Post Number: 597 Registered: 4-2002 |
Mr. C., what is the proper way of opening and closing the top? someone told me that the hand brake must be on before any operation. | ||
| Mr. C (Mr_c)
New member Username: Mr_c Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2003 |
If the top locks half way or is stopped in the opening/closing cycle for more than 3 minutes, the hydraulic system will be de-activated. This means there will be a loss of pressure in the system and the top will come to rest at its most convenient point. The operation can be resumed by pressing the button again. If there is no response, cycle the ignition key off, then on and resume the cycle that was interrupted. Hope this helps. | ||
| Nick Berry (Nickb)
Junior Member Username: Nickb Post Number: 135 Registered: 8-2002 |
These are typical problems. When it occurs stop depressing the switch for about ten seconds and try again. If that does not work, reverse the process and start again. Expect the problem to continue. You probably need to take it in for an adjustment to the sensors. | ||
| J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
Member Username: Jeff Post Number: 258 Registered: 2-2001 |
Eli My top has malfunctioned a couple of times but nothing like the problem you have. My top would get stuck half way. The good news is that the dealer told me the top problems are easy to diagnose and fix. | ||
| ELI (Titanium360)
Member Username: Titanium360 Post Number: 594 Registered: 4-2002 |
the top goes up half way but the lid where the top is stored does not open. you can hear the motor running and the top can be closed but the open top sign in my dash is still on and when the top is closed you don't hear the usual four beeps indicating the top is closed. any suggestions will be appreciated. I remember someone else having the same problem and searched the archives but could not find the thread. |