MY BAD....... Mice.......... not Windows......... Mice, $6,000 Mice!!! (can't edit the darn title) I've recently signed on the dotted line to buy a 1994 348 SS and right now it's off at the Ferrari dealer getting a pre-delivery major service (that was part of the purchase deal). Anyway, one of the things I stipulated was that they needed to fix the non-functioning seat belt mice. I figured it was just a removed fuse (because the previous owner said it was)....... but evidently it wasn't quite that simple. The dealer called today saying they'd diagnosed the issue and that it was a "known issue" with these cars that they've seen before. It's a $6,000 part and they need to contact Ferrari. I asked which side (driver/passenger) the part was for and the sales person said it's a part that effects both sides (but I'm not sure he really knows). Can anyone tell me what the heck they're talking about? What is this ridiculously expensive mystery part?
This will be VERY interesting.... I'll be watching. They didn't by chance give you a Ferrari part number??? Jedi
Agreed, but in my state the car wont pass inspection if all the factory safety equipment isn't functioning. Fortunately, I won't be the one picking up the tab either!
Nyet, no part number. I got this news from the salesman, so technical details/accuracy aren't guaranteed.
i had a working mouse for all 5 yrs i had 348 and never used them! just attach the belt to the fixed clip. and no way will any state inspection pick up on a near 20 yr old ferrari's 'safety equipment'.
No doubt, you're probably correct, but remember the dealer will be picking up the tab, so I'd rather get it fixed while I can! I just can't imagine what kind of part they could possibly charge that kind of money for, unless these mice are driven by hydraulics with pressurized liquid gold.
I got the same quote (well almost), I was quoted $5,700, for the part alone, from Ferrari of Ontario...and then labour would be extra. I respectfully declined. The reason I declined was because when I was in the process of closing the deal in Portland Oregan (Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo), one of my conditions was that I wanted it working (it was the passenger side, the driver side works fine) and they did fix it because it worked for about 1 week...but then it died again....so I figured I would be paying $5700 plus labour and it may last only a year or less. At the time, I had owned my Ferrari for only 2 weeks when I got that quote, and unfortunately I did not get a part #. I didn't think of it at the time, but for fun I think I will call them tomorrow and get another quote.
There was a factory recall on 348 seat belts, but I think it was on the Spider. Someone should check to see if the serial number of "your" car falls within the range covered by the recall. I don't think there is any one single part that controls both drivers and passengers seat belts. There are two control units and two track assemblies
Honestly, I do not know. The only thing I recall for sure was that they called it the Passenger Restraint System, so that sounds like it was a physical part to me. I am going to call them again tomorrow and get a quote again, and get the particulars, then I will post it here.
Dude, first take a breathe and calm the F down!!! This is a known 348 problem and none of us really care. My first 348, a 1994 Spider, went in to the dealer for this repair, all under warranty. They will redo one side at a time when it fails, but you need to twist their arms a bit AND the repair must not have been done before. Mine was done on the passenger's side in 2001 so you can see the car was 7 years old at the time. Reportedly Ferrari NA "sunsetted" the soft recall (that's when they only do the repair if an owner complains) and has left it to the dealership to make the call. In my case I think I paid for labor which wasn't much. Can't really remember those details. My 1993 348 SS has the exact same problem, but I am not going to get it fixed. Don't care and not sweating it. Just like I'd advise you to do. My driver's side mouse gleefully travels its course up and down the track, but I do not use it to fasten the shoulder strap. I intend on letting the little sucker go until it joins its mate in mouse belt heaven. Or until Ernie and Bruce harass me into killing it.
Ricambi lists the left and right seat belt "rails" at $1246 each, and the two seat belt ECU's at $1008 each. If the VIN number of your car falls within the range of the recall, then the dealer should fix it at no charge to you, whether it's in your contract or not. Assuming it hasn't been done already.
Yup, and you can replace the entire system yourself in about 1.5 hours per side. I removed both of mine in no time at all. $6000.00 is robbery. I've seen new packaged sets for both sides on a popular auction site recently for around $2500.00 -Mike
The entire problem boils down to two fragile plastic parts in the assembly. These parts have been made (by a highly guarded un named source in the past) in aluminum and have proven completely reliable over many years..... Only a complete fool would make repair parts for a seat belt system for a performance car, there isnt enough insurance in the world to cover that but they have worked great. These cars are now old enough the belting should be replaced as many are now frayed quite bad. One day we will have to find what amounts to a seamless, water tight disclaimer, something that is yet to be invented.
I've seen working used ones many times for $600-$700 range on that popular auction site ;-) I feel even that is too high for what you are getting but $6000 is WAAAAY over the top IMHO. I wouldn't spend that much on seat belts. I'd manually move the mouse latch to a spot you can connect the belt and leave it in that spot before I'd spend that kind of money...that $6K could be spent on many other things you'd get enjoyment from...like a new exhaust, CF parts, wheels ect. Good luck with it and please post your resolution. BTW my drivers side has been locked into position so I can snap my belt latch into it because mine is broken too...it's totally useable that way and was a free "fix" if you wanna call it a fix. It's more of a Jerry Rig...but works fine for me.
I've got a 348 Spider and the belts/mice worked only at a crawl and you sorta had to grab hold and guide them. The dash light for belts seemed like they were always lit up and I personally found them to be a hassle getting in or out of the car. Mike over at RAC/RUF suggested locking the belts in place (fixed position) and removing the fuse. This effected nothing else on the car and really solved the only annoying thing about the car. Enjoy your car mate!
I hate the mice, so once theyt're fixed, I'll probably end up disabling them. I'd just like them repaired by the dealer befiore I buy the car. When I test drove the car, I put on the lap belt as usual and I used a secret fixed receptacle at the base of the seat for the shoulder strap. So in reality I won't need the mice at all. Do all the 348's have these "hidden" receptacles? Or just some? As for disabling the mice..... is that as easy as removing a fuse? I've heard that it can be done this way, but that it lights up a warning on the dash, and I'd rather not have to look at an idiot light either.
To disable the mice and lights, unplug the control units. They're under the radio. Not difficult at all.
