Ferrari California T Trunk, Boot, Fuel Door Button Failure Fix

How to Replace the Switch – Removal and Reinstallation


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Symptoms:

- First, the trunk stopped opening with the door button. Had to use the key.

- Two months later, the fuel door wouldn’t open either. (If this happens, there's an emergency release cord behind a trapdoor on the right side of the trunk. It might be hidden in the fold of the carpet, so look carefully.)


What Ferrari Quoted:

The dealer quoted 2 hours of labor at $305/hour to replace the switch inside the door panel. Total: $610 + tax. This did not include parts which were an extra $460 + tax from them. Turns out, the trunk and fuel door switches are part of the same unit, so both need to be replaced if one fails.


What Really Happened:

As you can see from the photos, the switch literally fell apart. The backing plates detached from the micro switch, even though the button and LED light still looked functional. The button was just sitting there, no longer able to trigger the switch. You might think it's working because the light is on, but it's not. I could have just super glued the backing plates on again and everything would have probably worked fine, but In my case, the switches were sticky anyway, so I replaced the whole unit.


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What You’ll Need:

- Angled Allen wrench

- Wrench for the single door pull bolt

- Fine steel pick (to pry tabs on the chrome button surrounds)

- New switch assembly (Ferrari Part # 311279, also used on the Ferrari F12)


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Thanks to Mafiaboy1975 for his helpful thread on door card removal! Link: How to Open Door Card - https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/california-t-how-to-open-door-card.606829/


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Step-by-Step Guide:


1. **Remove the Door Pull Cover**

- Remove the allen screw hidden behind the door pull. Removing the leather cover is tricky. When Mafiaboy says "jiggle," he means it! Tug downward while moving horizontally and vertically. It’ll come loose after a bit of rocking.



2. **Remove the Door Card**

- Remove the allen screw below the pull lever. No need to disconnect the door latch— it can be slotted through the hole in the door card.

- Disconnect the door mirror adjustment connector to free up the panel.

• Disconnect the white connector (probably shrouded in sponge) to the failed switch

3. **Remove the Old Switch**

- There are two Phillips screws holding the switch assembly to the back of the door card.

- Gently push the switch out from behind, including the chrome surrounds (don’t remove them yet!).


4. **Take Out the Chrome Surrounds**

- The chrome surrounds are held by three pressure tabs each. To remove them, you’ll need to push the buttons backward through the switch holder until you see the tabs.

- CAREFULLY press the tabs inward—just a tiny bit—then pull the chrome pieces free.


5. **Install the New Switch**

- Before installing the chrome surrounds, secure the new switch into the door panel and tighten the screws.

- Now, take a chrome surround, gently push it into the leather, and twist it clockwise until you feel it drop into an indentation then push further home until it locks into place.

- Repeat for the other button.


6. **Reconnect Everything**

- Reconnect the mirror switch connector first and ensure the pressure tab is flat against the door card.

- Plug in the new switch connector (no pressure tab here).

- Pull the door opener back through the door card and put the card back into position.


7. **Reassemble the Door**

- Ferrari uses steel prongs (not plastic clips) to secure the door card. Tap gently above each prong to seat it into the pressure plates.

- Reinstall the short Allen screw into the door pull first, followed by the top door pull bolt.

- when reinstalling make sure the leather door handle cover slots into the guide rail at the top near the bolt. Push the bottom pressure teeth in to secure the cover.


8. **Final Touches**

- Once everything’s snug and flush, reinstall the last Allen screw behind the handle to secure the leather cover again.


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Time & Cost:

- Total cost: $347 for the part + shipping

- Time: 25 minutes

- Tools: Basic wrenches and a pick


The Result:

You’ve just saved over $650 in labor. Congrats!


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Good luck with your fix, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!