capnal63 said: ↑ I have a 2004 Ferrari Spider. We have been having trouble with the Capote (top) working well. My Independent Ferrari repair person needs to find someone who has the method or methods of trouble shooting the hydraulic, electrical and mechanical aspects of the Capote. Basically the steps of trouble shooting the system. Any comments welcome.
The top is not opening and closing properly. The back hood opens normally but as the cloth top moves out and up everything stops. My Ferrari Independant repair person can't find the steps to touble shoot. Remember the top is partly hydraulic, electrical and mechanical. Maybe the elastic bands are worn out. It also has lots of limit switches to control the top.
There are 5 limit switches. They are all located on the left side of the car. Testing them is very simple with multimeter. I have run into these switches falling out of position a few times simpley dues to coming loose from there mountings. The one that seems to move the most is located on the main arm assembly on the left side...with the cover open and the roof in its flipped back position.. you will be able to see if it is making contact with the switch stop. The switch is slightly adjustable. If possible post a video of the issue. These roofs are pretty basic. Do not be afraid to get into it.
There are a number of references, but I can't say I've seen a bible which covers all. e.g. hydraulic reservoir top-up https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/ferrari-360-spider-soft-top-roof-hood-hydraulic-liquid-reservoir-how-to-top-it-up.140091/ overview of operation: https://www.dropbox.com/t/kxENTdfAvjr2JcQj (link expires in 7 days) disassembly: https://aldousvoice.com/2013/02/05/ferrari-360-spider-roof/ cable replacement: https://aldousvoice.com/2014/12/07/ferrari-360-f430-spider-roof-cable-replacement/ wiring diagrams: https://www.dropbox.com/t/t4iBhydy3xuNVBsG https://www.dropbox.com/t/Ya2sojYoQcJXIfvI Links expires in 6 days. spider top elastics: https://www.ferrari360.org/2020/09/capote-elastic-bands-and-more.html If you're paying an indepedent to learn about the system, then maybe you should go to an official service centre?
3 most common failure points on these tops. 1st..roof elastics..failing to pull the central bar back far enough.. which causes the material to bunch up. 2nd..bent hinges or worn out hinge bushings..causing inference with the top cover. 3rd..hydraulic rams leaking..becoming more and more of an issue as these cars age. I will add a fourth.. when the canvas top has been replaced..improper "learnijg" of the material folding positions. This is critical. If the top is bunching up material it will not collapse and fold properly in the down position. It will always close OK.. however..
