Yesterday the roof of my F355 spider would not close completely. The seats move forward, the windows drop and the roof comes up, but when it starts to push forward it only moves about 2 inches and then it beeps. I checked the fluid level and topped it up (it was at min), I also tried to bypass the seat potentiometers by using the override switch. But still the same problem. I oiled all the joints of the roof and now it seems to open up just a little bit more (see picture). Can there be air in the forward pushing rams? How do I bleed them? Any ideas? Thanks! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Its most likely binding up at one of the joints.. Spray them with WD-40, wait, and then try again. Worst case, a little tug forward while holding the close button should help it get going
When mine did the same thing I topped it off and had to cycle it a few times to get the air out. Now it works fine. As mentioned below, a little help might be necessary to get it to close when there is air in the system.
Ton, Mine did this last spring a couple times. If I released the switch and pressed it again, it would close the rest of the way. I checked the fluid level, it was fine. It did this again a week later. It then did it again a couple weeks after that. Surprisingly, it never did it again this past summer, and all I can think is it was from a lack of use. Perhaps it had some air in the system or something? No idea, but works perfectly after it got run up and down a few times. I would try cycling yours a few times, and see if it clears up. BTW, I recommend only running the top with the engine running...it appears to draw quite a bit of current.
Thanks a lot. I feel better knowing that you guys had the same problem, and that it disappeared after a while. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the car stood in the garage with the roof down for a couple of weeks. I already sprayed the joints and will cycle it a few times more today.
I had the same problem and I went to a certified Ferrari mechanic. They checked the system and it was air which caused the system to stop. They charged 3 hrs for check, air removal and readjusting of the sensors. Works great now. Advise: never force the roof! The slightest bend in the bars might cause additional friction and thus prevent the roof from opening/closing.
I was just trying to raise the roof on mine and it wouldn't come forward at all really. One side seems looser than the other as far as being able to pull it toward the windshield. I have used the override etc but no luck. Fluid level is not at min or max. How do I get air out of the system? Thanks,
Yes, hydraulic. Since the system will lose fluid over time, I would recommend topping off to max line. There are plenty of threads on the procedure and fluid. After that, run the top up/down as recommended, several times. That will usually get it back to correct operation. Have the car running, so you do not run down the battery.
I will do that from now on too. The problem still exists. I cycled the roof several times, but it stops half way the forward motion. Can I bleed it myself?
The fact that it beeps when it stops is strange. It makes me think that a micro switch is triggering early. If it were a hydraulic fault, or mechanical binding, I don't think it would beep when it refuses to move.
Check the elastic straps - they stretch over time and don't pull the "bow" open or closed. Lift up the edge of the cover and you'll see the elastic straps. Just had mine redone. Hope this helps.
This is the bleeding screw, use your flat head screw driver; while pressing the bypass up or down turn the screw back and forth to bleed the system, cycle the system 3 times at list after topping the fluid. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I found the problem! A bolt that holds the RH roof strut in place has snapped off. The strut now moves freely. So the roof tries to stretch with only the LH strut pushing. I need to find someone who can replace the bolt for me. Thanks all for your inputs. T
They fixed it! It was relatively easy after they drilled out the remainder of the broken bolt from the frame. I was afraid that the roof frame might have been bent by my clumsy way of trying to make it work. But it worked perfectly. Me happy again!
