Window Switch for 2012 California not working | FerrariChat

Window Switch for 2012 California not working

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by Brad of Naples, Feb 25, 2025.

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  1. Brad of Naples

    Brad of Naples Rookie

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    Brad Overby
    Hello Ferrari California friends,
    Had my California out last weekend for a nice drive and a cars and coffee, i took the top down and everything worked just fine. When i started the car and put the top back up all worked great, top went up and windows all went up fine. But, when i pressed the switch to lower the passenger window it went down fine but when i tried to bring the window up the switch would not work, the driver side is fine as well as the switch for the top.

    Any thoughts from the experts out there would be greatly appreciated.

    BTW, when i take the top down and up the widows go up and down as they are suppose to, so its clearly the switch, also the switch does not stay in place and will come off at times, but in the past always worked.

    Thanks for any assistance.
     
  2. Redneck Slim

    Redneck Slim Formula 3 Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

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    Walt Kimball
    With my Portofino dealing with the window switch requires removing the center console. If your California is the same way,you will need the thread titled "Center console disassembly to refinish auto r ps buttons ".
     
  3. dera

    dera Formula Junior

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    Ferrari came up with a "new solution" switch which requires to replace the whole switch assembly with wiring in the center console.
    The older ones are not in production any more. Part was about 1FU, some hours to replace the setup.
     
  4. Brad of Naples

    Brad of Naples Rookie

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    Thanks, i found the link for the procedure to R and R the part, i was hoping someone figured out how to repair the old one... $900 for a replacement :)
     
  5. Brad of Naples

    Brad of Naples Rookie

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    Thanks for your response, i was hoping for a possible fix to the old one, apparently not, but i'll remove it and give it a go myself, worst case i buy a replacement ! Whats $900 among friends :)
     
  6. Klas

    Klas Formula Junior

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    Had the same problem with LR window last summer. It didn`t go down when pushing the switch but when operating the roof, it worked fine. After that the switch has been working fine since then. What I noticed was that the area around the switch location gets quite warm after some driving. Heat from the exhaust system warms up the area through the tunnel in the floor. Heat decreases life for electronics. Maybe that has an impact to the switch funtionality.
     
  7. Brad of Naples

    Brad of Naples Rookie

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    Thanks Klas, i kinda suspected the same thing, the electronics are a bit finicky and i tried the top up and down a few times let the car sit for awhile but no go, i may try putting the scanner on the car and see it it shows up. Worst case, i'll take it apart and try to fix myself, if that doesn't work its time to spend the $900 dollars :)
     
    Willl likes this.
  8. Willl

    Willl Karting

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    If your able to fix the old switch please let us know how it played out. Good luck.

    A side note, I've had good luck using Electric Parts Cleaner to help clean the contact points on switches.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2025
  9. Brad of Naples

    Brad of Naples Rookie

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    If it works out i'll detail the procedures and post it. Yes i have used the parts cleaner myself in the past.
     
    Willl likes this.
  10. Klas

    Klas Formula Junior

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    As I discovered the heat last summer I isolated the area under the armrest with a heat shield. This to save the switch module a bit. Really easy. It's also very easy to exchange the switch module if you need to. Just a few screws. The only problem is that a new one is quite expensive, but that we all knew as we own a Ferrari. It's meant to be expensive.... :)
     
  11. Willl

    Willl Karting

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    What material did you use as a heat shield?
    Was the heat shield placed under the body or inside?
     
  12. Klas

    Klas Formula Junior

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    I just took out the armrest box and the center console and placed alu foiled heat shield foam there of about 1/2" thickness. Very easy.
     
    Willl likes this.

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