Need an opinion

You have separate problems:

1. Leaking fluid (which fluid and where?)
2. F1 shift or not shift
3. Top won't operate with main switch.

1 and 2 may be related but 3 is not related to F1 at all.

You said that the Pots have been set to 500 ohms and tied back. Was that done right before the top stops working?

Close the top, and latch it. Do the window and seat work now?
Unlatch the top, push it back 6 inches manually, does it beep?

 

Be glad to try and help you BUT.........

Seems you might be a mechanic somewhere? How about filling out a profile, introduce yourself to us all before seeking the silver bullet from us.

There are countless threads on the infonet covering repairs to the soft top mechanism, in the almost twenty years of 355s being around, I for one have never seen or had to replace an ECU. Not to say that is not the problem, but IMO very unlikely. So who was the bright spark deciding to half a$$ the seat pots instead of a proper repair? I can't tell if this was to try and fix the issue or not, or if the top worked before with this arrangement.

As the late JRV once told me, "If you have to ask how to work on these cars, you best stick to Toyotas!" Real nice guy, but I wouldn't say that to you.

Stop running off with grasp at straw decisions, how about start from scratch?

Battery off, do a reset of the car. Car running, check the seats, windows, then try the top. Ensure the frame is not binding. Then, if it won't work, use the over ride, is the operation smooth both up and down? The devil is always in the details, watch each step to see exactly when things quit. Then let this thread continue.

Best, Brian

 

Well welcome Keith!

Sorry, being a bit old fart here, but, do I understand the way I am reading your post that the windows nor seats function (nothing to do with the top) anytime? the seats should function if the pots are unplugged via their console switches, and windows via their door switches. Just getting my ducks in a row here..........

 

This post is in regards to MY 355. My competent and experienced mechanic and I are asking for F-chat help to fix my top problems. Sarcasm and criticism is not appreciated. The problem is as follows: Parking brake engaged, key in "ON" position, doors closed, top unlatched. When console switch is pressed, seats NOR windows move. However, "beeping" occurs. Manual backward pressure on top does not allow ECU to "kick in". Emergency switch WILL allow top to retract, but windows and seats have to be positioned with their respective switches. Your help is appreciated.

 

there are 2 fuses 1 for the top and 1 for the seats, remove the cover for the top mechanism between the seats and check the fuses.

 

As for the windows, have you guys check the condition of the wires in the door hinge connectors yet? It is not uncommon for those wires to be broken.

 

PM sent Keith.

 

I suspect it is one of your microswitches or ECU. The first microswitch in the opening sequence is located in the front frame rail adjacent to the windshield. Since unlatching the top produces the characteristic beep, this is a good first step. HOWEVER this is also the exact same point at which the windows should drop an inch or so. Since your windows are not dropping the ECU, for some reason, doesn't think it is ready.

I believe the windows require 2 separate microswiches to communicate with the ECU. Consult the WSM for the top operation logic table. A small adjustment to one of these little switches can make all the difference.

 

I'm a bit late to this thread but interested in how the top,situation works out.

In the above comment you don't say whether you get the beep and the window drop when you unlatch the top and manually move it backwards a few inches

Does this happen?

 

After unlatching the top and manually pushing the top back approx 6", I press the console retraction button; the windows do not lower, the seats do not advance BUT the beeping does occur. Still no engagement of the retraction mechanism.