97 355 Spyder Top Retraction Problems | FerrariChat
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97 355 Spyder Top Retraction Problems

Discussion in '348/355' started by Gary Logan, Mar 26, 2011.

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  1. Gary Logan

    Gary Logan Karting

    Dec 19, 2009
    54
    West Vancouver, BC
    Full Name:
    Gary Logan
    #1 Gary Logan, Mar 26, 2011
    Just tried earlier today to put the top down on the 355. Ensuring that I have done everything correctly, trying several times, the top will not retract. I am getting a continuous beeping sound when I hold the switch to engage the retraction process. The soft top worked a couple of months ago.

    I have checked the wiring, all the sockets appear to be solidly connected.

    Thoughts pls.
     
  2. CANDREAM

    CANDREAM Canada

    Nov 13, 2009
    407
    Burlington, Ontario
    Full Name:
    Sadi
    #2 CANDREAM, Mar 26, 2011
    Have you tried helping it gently ?

    Hand brake should be on and door closed.

    Also, are the seats advancing/windows dropping ?

    The seat switches are prone to fail too......do a search here you will find tons of fixing.

    Process of elimination.

    Good luck
     
  3. Gary Logan

    Gary Logan Karting

    Dec 19, 2009
    54
    West Vancouver, BC
    Full Name:
    Gary Logan
    #3 Gary Logan, Mar 26, 2011
    The windows go down however the seats are not advancing.
     
  4. CANDREAM

    CANDREAM Canada

    Nov 13, 2009
    407
    Burlington, Ontario
    Full Name:
    Sadi
    #4 CANDREAM, Mar 26, 2011
    try advancing the seats manually to the closest position and try it again.

    If it beeps,.....sounds like your seat pots ! Locate those...search in threads...where they are....
     
  5. Gary Logan

    Gary Logan Karting

    Dec 19, 2009
    54
    West Vancouver, BC
    Full Name:
    Gary Logan
    #5 Gary Logan, Mar 26, 2011
    The seats will move using the seat adjustment switch but do not advance when in the process of retracting the soft-top.
     
  6. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Dec 7, 2003
    16,474
    Winston Salem, NC
    #6 Ricambi America, Mar 26, 2011
  7. niklas

    niklas Formula 3

    Apr 25, 2008
    1,535
    Chilliwack BC
    Full Name:
    N. Olafsson
    #7 niklas, Mar 26, 2011
    Hey Gary. Sorry I don't have an idea for your problem, but I was just wondering how the car in general is for you? I remember our little discussion in the past about Auto One's car and Siyam's. Hope you get this little kink fixed soon :)
     
  8. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #8 f355spider, Mar 26, 2011
    Unlikely related to your current issue. But it is important to check and top off the hydraulic fluid at least once every 24 months.
     
  9. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
    2,398
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    Paul
    #9 roadracer311, Mar 27, 2011
  10. Rorie

    Rorie Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
    459
    Toronto, Canada
    #10 Rorie, Mar 27, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2011
    Gary,

    Check as well nothing is blocking either seat from moving forward. I had the floor mat once catch under the passenger side seat, and that was all it took.

    There was another f-chatter who I remember found one of his kids toys stuck under the passenger side seat.

    Hopefully it is something simple.
     
  11. Gary Logan

    Gary Logan Karting

    Dec 19, 2009
    54
    West Vancouver, BC
    Full Name:
    Gary Logan
    #11 Gary Logan, Mar 27, 2011
    Thanks to all that responded, I will work through this again and re-post once I figure out the problem. In the process of moving house so this may take a bit.

    Regards to all
     
  12. butch355

    butch355 Karting

    Jan 27, 2005
    114
    Denver
    Full Name:
    Brent
    #12 butch355, Mar 28, 2011
    My top slowly started working less and less even with some help over the last 5 years.

    I would park the car in the sun with the top down and it would help a little. My car would lower top fine, but when I raised it would beep at the first transition. Then I would press the button again and it would start to the next transition where the top should drop to the clamps. Finally after about 5 tries the top would move into locking position.

    When I completed my 5 year service last month FOD said the fluid was like HONEY and was no longer fluid!

    SO, many hours later and a large bill the top now is BRAND NEW!

    My experiences would lead you to flush the system if all the parts work such as seats, top moves, beeps, and you can "help it along" and try the warm sun thing since that would make the fluid more useable? So, even if you fluid is showing at the min line, it might be goo inside which would put all your parts under pressure.

    Just my 2 cents.
     
  13. FloridaF355

    FloridaF355 Rookie

    Oct 12, 2008
    32
    #13 FloridaF355, Mar 29, 2011
    The fluid does turn to honey, or worse. Those hydraulic pipes are up against the engine bulkhead, roasting your hydraulic fluid every time you drive. I flushed and bled mine and found it made an incredible difference. Top is quick, secondary cylinders now work, roof closes all the way automatically. Here is the write up I did on it.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316148
     

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