Just Got a 5-Speed 412! Need Window Help.

Hello everyone!! I’m the proud new owner of 60359 (red/tan California 5-speed 412). I’ve been reading this section almost daily for one year and now finally I can become an active member of the 365 GT4 2+2/400/412 inner-circle. This is my very first post on Ferrarichat!

I’m excited to drive my Ferrari as much as possible for years to come, continue to learn from you guys and possibly even make some cool ass new Ferrari friends.

First impression: The engine was smooth and quiet. The shifting seemed to work best from 1st to 3rd until warm. The shifter position felt far forward but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. The shift ball spins. This is a little weird/possibly annoying. The wipers have hoses (to spray the windows I assume) but they flop in the wind. This is also strange. The car is very big but the interior of the car somehow is not. Large windows and upright seating make it easy to see outside both the front and back. The steering wheel feels nice. The car might have more leather and air conditioning buttons than any other car on the road. It feels very modern. Driving down the road people don't go insane and take videos with their cell phones and chase you as in other Ferraris – but perhaps they are just scared because it looks a little like a mafia car.

Now after spending some time with my 412 (last night and this morning), I’m reminded that this is not a NEW car. I’ll have to fix some things and hopefully they are common issues that you can help me with. Instead of just listing everything in one post, I’ll just start with this first item – power windows.

The driver’s side is slow. But, slow is better than not functioning at all. Driving home from the dealership last night, the passenger side didn’t move. I pressed down and nothing. At 7 AM this morning, I checked the fuse for the passenger side window. It was OK. Next listened carefully. I could hear the motor make a slight sound if I tried to put it up (the window was already fully up) but if I pressed down, nothing happened and no sound. I took the door panel off and found the two wires that run the motor. I unplugged each wire and tested to see if power was coming from the switch. Had power for “up” and power for “down”. That was good news. The switch must be good. I especially didn't want to take the center console apart after just getting the car. So I disconnected the battery and switched the wires. Reconnected the battery and pressed the switch up – as hoped the window went down at a surprisingly fast pace. Then checked to see if it would go back up again and as expected there was no movement.

Now this is the limit of what I can do today without a little help. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Again, nice to meet all of you!

Christensen
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Hi Full_garage. Thanks for the response. After a little research, it seems the problem is a ground issue and probably not at the door.

Is this the product?

http://www.birdmanferrari.com/windows.htm

 

Quick update: I just ordered the “Birdman’s Ferrari Window Accelerators” from Rodney Dickman (262) 835-9575. I’ll get them next week. I chose this route because I’m receiving plenty of power from the switch but have a bad ground.

I learned that the switch on the center console works as a reverse polarity circuit. This means that only two wires run to the window motor. Press the switch down and one wire will be the power the other will be the ground. The window goes down. Press the switch up and then electrical current is opposite. The power and ground are switched resulting in reverse operation of the motor. Thus, the window will go up.

Currently, the problem with my Ferrari is that when I press the switch down, I only get the power and not the necessary ground. The window accelerator will create a local ground solving the problem.

Side note: the other “two relay” method would also work very nice because it makes a new ground too, along with a direct positive lead from the battery without going through the switch. It is a nice solution. However, although the “two relay” method is cheaper, I chose not to go this route as I don't need the additional power and it requires more wires and more parts. For me the simplest solution is the best.

Thanks everyone for the comments and help. Have a fantastic Friday!

Christensen

 

Another update: The "Birdman’s Ferrari Window Accelerators" from Rodney Dickman arrived in the mail as promised. They look like a high quality product.

However, while waiting I found out that the switches can be removed by just carefully pulling up on the switch. Before, I was under the impression that the entire console would have to be removed to take them out. This is not the case. You can just carefully lift them up and out of the console with a little force.

With the switch exposed, I removed the wires from the switch and cleaned the connections. Then plugged it back it. No change. So I removed and tried the switch from the other side and the window worked perfectly. It quickly went both up and down as it should. So, clearly the switch is bad.

Does anyone know of a good source to purchase a brand new switch? Please let me know.

Christensen
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Update: Fantastic news! Now, both of my Ferrari windows quickly move up and down as new. Thank you everyone for the helpful advice.

I first repaired the window switch. The switch can be dissembled with some carefully applied force. It has 3 parts: The rocker on the top, the actual switch with light bulb, and a outer ring/plastic cup that holds the switch into the hole in the console. All parts snap together with small tabs. After fully disassembling the non-functioning one, I found it was packed full of clear electrical grease. The working switch was clean and wasn't full of grease. So, I used a small rag, compressed air and electrical connection cleaner to clean up the greasy bad switch. Then sprayed some WD40 on all the moving friction parts. Then used electrical connection cleaner on the switch terminal and wire plug. Lastly snapped everything back together. It worked perfectly.

Second, I added the Birdman’s window accelerators. These small units detect the wire with power and redirect the other wire to a local ground. I chose to make my own connections rather than use the ones supplied as I didn’t want to cut or modify the original factory wiring harness. To do so, I split the grey power wires at each end with a butt connector and crimping tool. A small lock tie was added for additional reinforcement at the split. Then I added one solderless spade terminal (female) and one tab terminal (male) to each end. Next, I removed the large ground washer and nut from the bottom window frame base. I sanded these to create a clean ground surface. Installed the accelerator and added electrical conduit. Upon testing, I found the window speed was approximately twice as fast.

Lastly, I used a rag and WD40 to clean the old grease from all the moving parts of the window motor and cable guide wheels. The tracks were clean already so I left them alone. Then I added new grease to all the moving parts and carefully tightened the bolts going through the glass. Lastly, I made some new heavy plastic moisture barriers to keep the door panels clean. I used white tape (the same color as the originals) to secure the plastic to the door.

This project took longer than expected but the results were worth the effort.
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