430 Spider flaps stuck

Was taking the top down today and the flaps would not close. This happened a while ago but corrected itself and hasn't happened since. I tried a few times to open/close the roof to see if the flaps would close but they didn't. Before I bring it to my local Ferrari dealer, anyone have any clue as to why this is happening and how I may troubleshoot?
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Sounds like the capote flap arm has snapped off, which connects to the softtop mechanism.

If both capote flaps has that issue, it could be one/both of the clips holding the cable into the central motor unit coming loose, and then screwing up the flap movement synchronisation.

Look inside the gap, and I think you should be able to see the flap in there.

 

Both flaps not closing. Should have mentioned that. Flaps are not broken. All looks OK in there. They are just not closing. Also gives me the roof open warning in the dash with no confirm beep as it does when roof is closed.

 

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/images/diagrams/full/430sp_117.jpg

Raise the softtop, until you can look right behind it. I think part number 15 in the diagram has popped out, and screwed up the capote mechanism.

Have a look and see if that's the case.

 

OK. I will give it a look. I'm hoping it's just that.

 

It's a somewhat common issue, where the alignment of the last mechanism in top closure is off. It was a 15 minute fix at the dealer.

 

Clips in place. Nothing has popped off. I guess it's time to visit the dealer.


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Keep us updated. Curious what the cause is.

good luck.

 

My guess would be the roof hasn't hit the limit telling the flaps to go up or the electric motor that move the flaps up is having an issue. either burnt out, or could be a disconnected wire, or fuse. If the roof doesn't hit the limit, it will not finish its cycle and will not put the windows up also at the end, which would be after your flaps come up and hit there limit to tell the ecu to put the windows up. The light on the dash will show the roof open. Check the manual there is a step by step showing limit switch sequence.

 

Yes. Probably a micro switch out of alignment or something related. Either way I don't want to tinker and mess it up further. That top is very complex!


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There is an ECU just for the top. It records all sorts of things - like # of cycles etc, but you can only get the info with an SD2/SD3.

 

If I'm not mistaking the micro switch you are looking for it right in the picture you posted.
it is right below the shiny peg on the left. The micro switch under the peg on the right is for when the top is up.

Your right the top is vary complex. I own a 360 spider and my main frame just cracked right there where you picture shows. Next week I will be going in and taking the whole thing apart to see if I can replace the casting or scan it and have a complete new piece created.

 

Brought my car to Ferrari of Long Island today and waited for it. I figured it wouldn't be a big issue. I was right. I waited about 1 1/2 hours and they fixed it. It was an adjustment to the cables that control the flaps and the micro switch. Just a tad out of alignment. $175 with tax and I'm out the door. In Ferrari terms that is a free repair!

On another note...the technician there is a Maranello trained Ferrari mechanic. I felt very comfortable with him as he was also working on an Enzo that was parked directly in front of mine in the shop. He said most of these issues are really simple but made worse by people tinkering around with the complex mechanism of the spider top trying to fix it themselves. So if you ever have top issues I think it's best left to the pro's. That is if you have a pro where you live.

 

Funny but I don't seem to have that problem with mine.
Alan

 

Still an issue. Ferrari mechanic adjusted twice but the problem came back. This is so annoying. Now they told me that the cables that operate these flaps are stretched and I need new ones. $250 on Ricambi. Waiting for a price from Ferrari dealer. $500 plus labor isn't bad as long as it corrects the issue. I'm hoping this is it although I don't exactly know what stretched means.

 

Sorry to thread swap, but this particular thread is a great reason to keep the 360/430 forum together, the spiders share the same top mechanism and the 360's have been around much longer exhibiting some historical reference for a question like this.

Sorry I have nothing constructive to add to the problem other than suggesting a good independent to look at it, it surely will be less costly. Just make sure they have an SD tool or the Leonardo.

 

This same thing happens in my 360 from time to time. Mine has always managed to correct itself next time I start the car. The last time it did it I turned the battery switch off and back on and that seemed to also correct the problem. It has been good ever since.

 

Hmmmm....maybe I should try that.
I do hear the flap motor go on when I keep the top button pressed though. I just don't understand how both cables can be bad at the same time. It doesn't make sense to me.

 

Mine did this once. I had someone else operate the top while I looked at it closely from the outside. When the flap failed to start moving when it was suppose to I gave it a little light pull with my hand and it closed. Hasn't done it since so who knows!

 

Thanks. It seems to be an internal issue other than them just getting stuck. I will try this though. Battery disconnect didn't help. Waiting for Ferrari of Long Island to get back to me with a price for the cables.

 

I lost my 430 for 6 weeks last summer to the same issue. Was trucking it from dealer to dealer to find a fix. Fixes would only last a week. You are on the right track. Turned out to be a stripped cable. Perfect since replacement.

 

Good to know. Was it one or both cables that were replaced?

 

Just one.

 

Ok. Both my flaps not going up so I guess both cables stripped. Good info. Thanks!

 

Steve, I don't pretend to understand the top, but the one cable affected everything on my mine, not just one flap. I cannot tell you why. I just know that the guy that finally fixed mine painstakingly went through and replaced or tested every possible part, actuator, etc., and then removed them if they didn't help, and it came down to the stripped cable.