355 - Convertible Top Control Module Repair | Page 4 | FerrariChat
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355 Convertible Top Control Module Repair

Discussion in '348/355' started by DanRC30, Feb 10, 2025.

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  1. DanRC30

    DanRC30 Karting

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    #76 DanRC30, Feb 11, 2025
    I think I need to pull the seat to tell what's what. But I can see two wires (blue/bk, white/bk) bypass that trailer connector. They go under the seat to a little black connector. I have no idea what those orange and white wires are doing. Maybe it's some kind of resistor? See pic.
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  2. Qavion

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    #77 Qavion, Feb 11, 2025
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2025
    No resistors. They're just jumper plugs which will stop the roof operating if disconnected.

    Blue/black & Black/white match the motor plugs in the wiring diagrams for the driver's seat.

    Sorry, I mean to say 7 wires apart from the orange wires. Your driver's wiring matches mine... except when it reaches the black tape section. The 5 wires which go to the 4 pin plug become 4 wires on your car. Sounds like you have a unique potentiometer setup. If the splicing under the black tape was done correctly, you should only need a 3 pin black plug (or standard white).

    Disconnect the black 4 pin plug and see if the seat operates.
     
  3. DanRC30

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    #78 DanRC30, Feb 11, 2025
    Well, I got brave.
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  4. DanRC30

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    #79 DanRC30, Feb 11, 2025
    I disconnected the black connector and the seat worked perfectly. Then I reconnected it and it still worked perfectly. WTH is going on???

    Also, keep in mine every time I disconnect/reconnect that module I flip the power shutoff to the car by the CD changer in the front. Doubt that has anything to do with it but figured I'd mention it.
     
  5. Qavion

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    #80 Qavion, Feb 11, 2025
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2025
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    For future reference: The alphanumeric code assigned to the wires represent Roof ECU plug and pin number. The yellow wire on your car goes to the potentiometer wiper arm.
     
  6. DanRC30

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    #81 DanRC30, Feb 11, 2025
    No idea why this is like this, but I think I'd like to go back to a factory connector, if I can source one...
     
  7. Qavion

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    #82 Qavion, Feb 11, 2025
    Maybe coincidence. Did you disturb the motor wiring?

    If the potentiometer system is affecting the manual operation of the seat, I don't know how it's doing it. Look for damaged insulation/shorts. Operate the seat and shake test the wiring. Don't flatten your battery or overheat the seat motor.
     
  8. DanRC30

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    #83 DanRC30, Feb 11, 2025
    I mean I was pulling on it to see how much wire I could expose for pictures...

    I can't see the pots you're referring to. Can you see them in my pictures?
     
  9. Qavion

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    #84 Qavion, Feb 11, 2025
    The pot(entiometer) is not easy to see... Here's a photo from the earlier link I provided on how to repair the pot..

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    I wouldn't bother changing the black plug. I doubt you'd be able to find an OEM replacement. It just needs to be secured somewhere on the seat. Either way, make sure that the wiring is long enough with the seat fully forward.
     
  10. DanRC30

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    #85 DanRC30, Feb 11, 2025
    Ok, at the very least I'm going to get rid of those bullet connectors and solder it. At least that will rule out a poor splice connection.
     
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  11. Qavion

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    #86 Qavion, Feb 11, 2025
    I'm still not convinced it's a potentiometer wiring issue. I disconnected mine completely and my seats still operate.
     
  12. DanRC30

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    #87 DanRC30, Feb 11, 2025
    I think it's either a bad connection, a relay, or a weak motor issue. The drivers side motor doesn't seem as strong as the pass side, but then again, I'm usually sitting in it and that's a load on the motor. Weird how it just worked flawlessly for me. I'll go out in a little bit and try it again...
     
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  13. DanRC30

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    #88 DanRC30, Feb 11, 2025
    Ok, so this is bananas... Seat is working perfectly now. And when I hit the top up switch, the seat will automatically go forward like was mentioned earlier in the thread. It did that several times without issues. Then I disconnect the black plug and it reverts to not pushing the seat forward and the top activates. Once the top activates, the seats will not move in any direction. It's like they're locked out. Then I turn the key off and on again and it works properly again. Then I reconnect the black plug and it acts up again activating the top and not moving the seat forward automatically. Then I cycle the key and it goes back to working. But other times it didn't work that way. Other times it would just work no matter what It's like an insane dance in the car and makes no sense. lol!!!

    So then I started playing with the plug and the splice connections while moving the seat and while triggering the top up. And I noticed that while triggering the top up, the seat would move forward correctly, but suddenly stop and the pump would activate! AH!!! I think I found my problem! I think I have a bad connection in the splices and/or that connector.

    I know you said not to swap out that connector, but I think I'm going to do it because there are crimp splices at both ends which means I need to remove the seat and solder anyway. And why not get a better, more factory looking 3 wire connector while I'm at it from the auto parts store while I'm at it? This is literally a 4 wire trailer connector and looks like crap. Do you have a picture of the factory connector? I'll try to find something similar it if I can....
     
  14. Qavion

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    #89 Qavion, Feb 11, 2025
    Just checked on my car. That's normal. After the seats move forward (with the roof switch) and the roof starts moving, the windows and seats are frozen.

    Do you mean when the seats were well forward? The forward limit for the seats in the Roof ECU should be programmed (by the Ferrari SD1 tool). Once the ECU (via the pot) sees the limit (a certain voltage/resistance), it stops the seats moving. Occasionally pots break or lose their calibration. There are techniques you can use to fudge the calibration after you repair them.

    There are some photos of the white connector here, but I can't say I've seen any replacements.

    https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/136344918/

    It has a fixture at the back to allow it to clip into the seat base.
     
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  15. Qavion

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    #90 Qavion, Feb 11, 2025
    TE Connectivity make other plugs for the roof system, but I can't find any TE plugs online which match the OEM style 3 way pot connector.
     
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  16. m.stojanovic

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    #91 m.stojanovic, Feb 11, 2025
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2025
    I would certainly replace that connector, crimp the original wires directly if long enough otherwise solder extension wires and insulate the joints with heat shrink tube. The current flowing through the pot wires is very small (some mA) so you don't need a big connector. As it may be hard to find a connector similar to the factory one, I would go for a 3-pin Tyco (AMP) Superseal:

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    Ebay: AMP Electrical Waterproof Connector Kit 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pin Way Super seal Car Auto | eBay (again, it comes from a Tyco factory in China). You can also search for a local source if you need to get it faster.
     
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  17. DanRC30

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    #92 DanRC30, Feb 12, 2025
    What happens is as the seat moves forward and I handle the connector/splices, the seat will stop randomly and the top will function. But then I'll continue to play with it and the seat will then go forward again. It's like there's either a short or a bad connection is confusing the control unit. I'm going to remove the seat and replace the connector and that should hopefully solve the problems with the seat not moving forward 100% of the time. I'm embarrassed that someone used a trailer wiring connector on it. How ridiculous. #facepalm
     
  18. DanRC30

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    #93 DanRC30, Feb 12, 2025
    Just got myself a kit. Thx for the advice!

    https://www.amazon.com/YMYP-711Pcs-Waterproof-Automotive-Connectors/dp/B0CL9D3DDQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=JEP0HRGFTH79&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cpEubh5R_1SrbRLeNZbZCcwr4sFLtzTuYlH3bogaMwiDZAsWSRsTchub8yHj3Mitx0dBlm8UsTnEFij3CMQwS-abWsE9vufvHkb6igC9vAIfcS9iVWYxAEOv2EqqxqNeJDyg1bIGIPcY_ShVf8NyoLwKiqNqcNbp9qJ4Xz7sv_Rt2Cx3uwMaSCEzrdnbs5vh8MC2G4TPvF_qD-HKA509MG_Jwu3T7ddl-EHNWxA2ZsM.UAlJs4OdGSbhMiOUPAQNZi9NBr6siEf4byvf99nP5uU&dib_tag=se&keywords=waterproof%2Bauto%2Bwire%2Bconnectors&qid=1739379348&sprefix=waterproof%2Bauto%2Bwi%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
     
  19. Qavion

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    #94 Qavion, Feb 12, 2025
    Just be aware that if you don't secure the plug on the seat, it will be dragging on the floor. The clips and projections on the plug may get snagged on the carpet.
     
  20. DanRC30

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    #95 DanRC30, Feb 12, 2025
    Yes, I'm going to find a way to clip it to the seat. What does the factory clip look like? Any pictures?
     
  21. Qavion

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    #96 Qavion, Feb 12, 2025
  22. DanRC30

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    #97 DanRC30, Feb 12, 2025
  23. Qavion

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    #98 Qavion, Feb 12, 2025
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  24. DanRC30

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    #99 DanRC30, Feb 12, 2025
  25. Qavion

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    #100 Qavion, Feb 12, 2025
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