And another 355 Spider top problem! | FerrariChat
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And another 355 Spider top problem!

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by jh355, Aug 19, 2006.

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  1. jh355

    jh355 Formula Junior

    Feb 12, 2004
    424
    Halluci-Nation
    Full Name:
    Craven Morehead
    #1 jh355, Aug 19, 2006
    The top stopped working on the 355 a couple of months ago, just got around to diagnosing the problem yesterday. With all the necessary preliminary procedures in place (P brake on, Ign in position II, Doors closed). Manual top latch open and moved back 18” (signal heard) windows move down 50 mm. Push top open button and only a beep beep beep. Top fails to move any more, but the emergency switch will activate the top up and down correctly (without seat / window movement) (Hydraulic circuit seems to work properly).

    Today;
    1.) I removed the pump cover and added fluid (it was low, top works as before).
    2.) Disconnected connector A,B and D on seat / top module.
    a.) Ohm connector pins B- 4,5,7,8,9,10 and 12 to ground (R/L door, R/L window, P Brake, Pillar switch and Top bow switch). All limit switches are working properly for their function (door open / closed, window up down 50mm Etc.).
    3.) Measured voltage between pin B03 and B06 +11.6 when top switch is activated (top up) -11.6 with top switch is activated (top down).
    4.) Ohm between pin B16 and B18 (Right seat pot) 534 seat up 1750 seat back.
    5.) Ohm between pin B16 and B19 (Left seat pot) 639 seat up 1790 seat back.
    6.) Switched Battery switch off waited 1 hour, came back and tried again, same as before.

    It seems like everything is working properly, did the seat pot’s somehow end up out of time, and need reprogramming? Or is the seat / top module FUBR?

    Any takers with a solution short of SDII?
     
  2. SpannerMan

    SpannerMan Karting

    Nov 7, 2005
    116
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Erik Rathmann
    #2 SpannerMan, Aug 19, 2006
    All fuses okay?
    Connections at module okay?

    Sounds like you checked everything. If your not afraid, pull the module and open it up. Perhaps there is an easy fix-broken solder joint etc.

    Good luck.
    E
     
  3. TheOriginalJimC!

    TheOriginalJimC! Guest

    #3 TheOriginalJimC!, Aug 20, 2006
    Before doing anything more, find someone with an SDI or SDII and have them run the top program. It allows one to run the seats all the way forward and back while watching the potentiometer values. It's important that the potentiometers smoothly change value from all the way back to all the way forward. The SDI/SDII software also has a "seat position re-learn" program that allows the top computer to figure out where full forward and full back is and clear up any faults.

    There could be many things wrong, but you should suspect the potentiometers. Search the archives for much information.

    Good Luck.
     
  4. fmaderi

    fmaderi Formula Junior

    May 8, 2005
    258
    clearwater Fla/NY
    Full Name:
    frank maderi
    #4 fmaderi, Aug 20, 2006
    sounds like you need the SD . without a relearn i believe you are sol even if you repair the problem . i wish you the best . forza
     
  5. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    #5 No Doubt, Aug 20, 2006
    Doesn't the "emergency" switch just bypass the seat pots?! Clearly the hydraulics and electrics are all working when the top puts itself down via the emergency switch, so the problem is not in those areas...leaving the seat pots (anything else, perhaps a door switch??).
     
  6. jh355

    jh355 Formula Junior

    Feb 12, 2004
    424
    Halluci-Nation
    Full Name:
    Craven Morehead
    #6 jh355, Aug 20, 2006
    Fuses all good Relays working properly (window, Seat, Hyd), popped the Module top off, under 10x loop electronics look good(nothing cooked), a little splatter from the wave soldering, brass brushed little “BB’s” off. No change in performance.

    Pot values look like they are sweeping smoothly and properly seat forward / back (probably can’t really tell without computer).

    Turned bat switch off all night, performed relearn start-up this AM. No change.

    Contact cleaned and Stablant 22 terminals. No change.

    E-Switch bypasses all sensors (Piller, Bow, Window, Door, E-Brake and Seat pot’s). The hydraulics are working properly so it’s somewhere before to the pump relays.

    Looks like the system may have burped and isn’t seeing the pots. Will locate an SD and report back.

    Thanks for all the input.
     
  7. rjkennedy

    rjkennedy Karting

    Apr 30, 2004
    221
    Woodbury, MN
    #7 rjkennedy, Aug 20, 2006
    Had a similar problem with my 355 spider a few years ago and it required a new potentiometer. Don't know for sure if that's it but worth a try. My dealership took one out of their on the lot 355's to try first and that was the problem. Then bought a new one. Sounds very similar to what you're describing. Good luck.
     
  8. jh355

    jh355 Formula Junior

    Feb 12, 2004
    424
    Halluci-Nation
    Full Name:
    Craven Morehead
    #8 jh355, Aug 20, 2006
    It probably is a seat pot, module, or a logic problem, everything else in the system is digital, (micro switches seem to work fine). Seat pot’s test fine, but this is the most likely wear point in the system.

    For grins, I may tip the seat upside down and take a look prior to SDII intervention. You would think the system would have a reset time button, but I guess big F would have less work for the mechanics.
     

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