HOW TO: Repair F355 Spider Top Sensor for Power Windows

Note: This repair should take an hour or less and is simple if you know how to use a soldering iron and a heat gun.

My power windows stopped working when the top was down due to a bad sensor switch in the frame for the convertible top behind the LH drivers seat. I researched the replacement assembly and found it for roughly $300 from retailers and $200 on eBay.

I ended up pulling the part number off of the switch and locating a similar replacement. The switch I found was a SAIA-BURGESS V4NCS. This is a three wire switch instead of the original two wire switch, but other than that, it is an exact replacement.

I purchased the switch here:

V4NCS - SAIA-BURGESS - SWITCH | Newark element14

I will post the repair procedure that I used, with photos, in the following thread.

- Tom

 

The tools you will need include:
1. Phillips screwdriver
2. Small flathead screwdriver
3. 4mm socket
4. Soldering iron and solder
5. Heat shrink tubing and heat gun
6. Wire cutter and wire stripper
7. A piece of cardboard
8. Ohm meter (If you use a different switch than I used. You will need to verify that you use the wires that are in the normally closed switch position)
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

First, put your top into a partially closed position.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Next, remove the track cover behind the seat. There is one phillips screw on the end of the cover directly behind the seat.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Then remove the 4mm nuts from the screws that hold the switch. There is a small metal bracket on the screws that comes off next, followed by the switch, and finally the roller lever bracket. One of my screws was bent, so I left it in the track, but I placed all the other parts into an exploded view in the photo below. The screw on the far left is from the cover.

You may use the wire cutters to cut off the old switch. Cut the wires as close to the switch as possible so you can retain the length to attach the new switch.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The old switch is a "normally closed" switch which means it conducts electricity between the two wires until the button is pressed. The new switch has three wires so that it can be used in both "normally closed" mode and "normally open" mode.

The blue wire is for the "normally open" mode so we don't need it. Cut the blue wire off and use some heat shrink tubing to cover and protect it.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Next cut the other two wires and strip them back about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch each.

Twist each end and add a little solder.

Add heat shrink tubing to each wire, but do NOT shrink it yet. Make sure it is far enough from the ends of the wire that the soldering process will not shrink the tubing.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Now it's time to prepare the wires in the car.

Remove the plastic cover from the wires and cut it back about 1" so that the wires will be exposed when it is reinstalled. Do not reinstall it yet.

Strip both wires back 1/4" to 1/2", twist and add a little solder to each.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Reinstall the plastic cover over the wires and add a larger diameter piece of heat shrink tubing over the plastic cover (do not shrink it yet).
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Solder the new switch wires to the two newly exposed wires in the car. It doesn't matter which order they are in. I just happened to connect the red wire to the grey wire and the black wire to the white wire (even though you can't tell because of my crappy cell phone photo).

Next, pull the two heat shrink tubes over the solder connections. Then pull the larger heat shrink tube over the connections as well.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Place some cardboard behind the wiring so that you don't melt your carpeting. Then use a heat gun to shrink the tubing.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Put the switch mounting screws back into the holes and add the roller lever.

Then add the switch, followed by the bracket, and finally the 4mm nuts.

Tighten everything up and make sure the wire is tucked away back into its original position.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Reinstall the cover and return the top to the open position.

Verify that your windows now work properly.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login