FF seatbelt assist arm | FerrariChat

FF seatbelt assist arm

Discussion in 'FF/Lusso' started by travellingbearsva, Dec 11, 2012.

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  1. travellingbearsva

    Jul 22, 2012
    88
    Virginia
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #1 travellingbearsva, Dec 11, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The FF's have the seatbelt hand-over feature where an arm extends behind the seatbelt at shoulder level and supposedly retracts after belt is buckled. This seems to be a typical 'works sometimes' scenario where it fails to retract. After turning off engine, unbuckling belt to 'reset' conditions which would normally activate the seatbelt assist, it will often retract after engine is restarted and belt is buckled. This is hassle to get out of vehicle with this 8" arm extended. Dealer has reviewed programming for this feature and we may eventually get unit replaced. On passenger side my wife notices that belt assist extends on intermittent basis (not every time that she's in the car). When it goofs, there is message on display (after it resolves) that 'seatbelt hand-over is not available' or similar. Are other folk noticing this flakiness in the seatbelt assist? Just wondering how prevalent this issue is.

    Dave
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  2. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,837
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    When mine does that I unbuckle the seatbelt, open the door, close the door and it seems to retract as soon as I re-buckle. They are silly, really don't need them, but that thing and the rear view camera display on the speedometer are its only two flaws. The rear display should be on the NAV display like the California.

    Rick
     
  3. FFMAC

    FFMAC Formula Junior

    Jul 20, 2012
    397
    UK
    Full Name:
    Mac
    I've never had an issue with the arm failing to retract, only the occasional failure with the arm handing me the belt in the first place! Saying that, I must admit, it is a rare occurrence, it works perfectly 98% of the time.

    I agree completely with Rick, why the rear camera doesn't display on the Nav screen is beyond me!
     
  4. travellingbearsva

    Jul 22, 2012
    88
    Virginia
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Rick:

    So you experience the seatbelt assist 'goof' on a regular basis like I do? Did you mention it to dealer when you had car in for service recently? My service advisor indicated that after attempt to reset and reprogram, the next step was replacing the mechanical arm. I may shoot him an email to order the part.

    Agree with rear camera comment since my line of sight view is partially blocked by steering wheel rotation at times. For some reason they couldn't take the time to integrate camera circuitry interface into the Chrysler NAV head unit.

    Dave
     
  5. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,837
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    It is integrated with the California, for some reason they decided to dual purpose the speedo display in the FF.

    My belt passers work pretty good although I usually grab the bottom of the belt and pull it forward before I close the door, problem solved.

    Rick
     
  6. 13pauls

    13pauls Rookie

    Dec 17, 2009
    23
    I've had the same problem, only on the passenger side. I had it in for service and was told they replaced some sort of sensor. Its still happening once in a while, very annoying. I called dealer and told them to make a note of this for next time my car goes in for service. The car is performing great with the winter tires, can't wait for more snow to really test it out!
     
  7. London John

    London John Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2010
    560
    London & Melbourne
    Full Name:
    John
    Seat belt tender works fine.

    However, my fuel cap occasionally (5% of the time) opens when I adjust my right hand (drivers) side mirror. I only know it happens at that time because I happen to be looking into the mirror as I'm about to adjust it. It'll take forever to find the fault and fix it, but that's part of the Ferrari charm.
     
  8. eric

    eric Formula Junior

    Aug 3, 2001
    705
    Albion, CA
    Ours always retract once the corresponding belt is buckled. But the driver's side mostly fails to actually grab the belt. Actually presents a belt about 5% of the time I'd guess, while the passenger side works mostly as desired, only occasionally failing to present the belt.

    Its a cute little gizmo, and a nice attempt at convenience, if not fully fleshed out.
     
  9. Entropy

    Entropy Formula 3
    Owner

    Jul 10, 2008
    2,149
    FWIW ours seem to continue to work flawlessly.

    However, I know we have "confused it" a few times. I'm guessing there are more than a few microswitches and some serious software logic in that little feature...

    The logic seem to work off the sequence of key on - butt in seat - door closed...time delay...belt latched, etc....interrupt any of those things and it might confuse (literally) the system.

    In our case, it's gone back to normal the next power cycle or door opening.

    I'd imagine an issue is more likely a (physical) switch or sensor than software.

    As for the gas cap...that I'm curious to hear about.
     
  10. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,837
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    Gas cap (or lack of), works great, just have to go slow iserting te pump.
     
  11. Cariad

    Cariad Formula Junior

    Jan 1, 2006
    445
    Any F1 Circuit
    Let me add that I have had my FF nearly a year now and there have been no issues.
    It is an amazingly all purpose supercar. I may not have seen snow but boy in the wet it leaves everything else in the dust particuarly the all 4 wheel drive Lambo's and VW/Bentley.
    If it was not for my misplaced desire for the latest and greatest (F12 on order ) it would be a keeper.
     
  12. Trincap

    Trincap Formula Junior

    Sep 28, 2010
    321
    NorCal
    Ditto. Adore the FF. Yeah it's a bit polarizing on the styling but it literally is on the top of the list of all cars I would choose to drive for more than an hour. Power, comfort, steering, suspension, handling. . . I guess the nav could be better but I gotta admit I've never used it.
     
  13. London John

    London John Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2010
    560
    London & Melbourne
    Full Name:
    John
    Well, it happened again TWICE on seven mile drive to work this morning. Stopped each time and shut it firmly, so it certainly wasn't left open. Didn't seem to be linked to the mirrors this time, so perhaps it's just a gremlin that needs looking at. Car's in for tyres Monday, so they can look at it then.
     
  14. London John

    London John Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2010
    560
    London & Melbourne
    Full Name:
    John
    Seems the gas filler cap problem was easily isolable and fixed with a small adjustment.........so move on, nothing to see here.
     
  15. Lone Wolf

    Lone Wolf Formula 3

    Oct 24, 2006
    1,085
    Highway to Hell
    i just put my belt on before closing the door or starting the car. that way i avoid the intolerable beeping too!
     
  16. London John

    London John Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2010
    560
    London & Melbourne
    Full Name:
    John
    Must be a US spec issue, I don't get any of that.
     
  17. FFMAC

    FFMAC Formula Junior

    Jul 20, 2012
    397
    UK
    Full Name:
    Mac
    Agreed, same here. Glad you sorted your filler cap problem John!
     
  18. travellingbearsva

    Jul 22, 2012
    88
    Virginia
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Just wanted to update folks who might be having issue with the seatbelt handover arm on their FF. After a few tries at software tweaks and mechanical adjustments, the dealer moved to replacement. Apparently there's also a recent service bulletin that recommends bracket replacement (identified as root cause). Seems that parts kit is typically on back-order and we're now waiting for second kit for passenger side to arrive from Italy. Dealer (Ferrari of Washington) has been great through-out this process.

    Dave
     
  19. oxford

    oxford Rookie

    Oct 15, 2006
    28
    Same problem at our end. Dealer says we have to replace the entire unit. Waiting for it to come in now
     
  20. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
    32,118
    Full Name:
    Jim Glickenhaus
    One of them attacked my shoulder!
     
  21. ChalStrad

    ChalStrad Formula 3

    Jan 22, 2004
    2,249
    Lausanne Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Peter Mann
    Poor you...

    But that's why you have two... Shoulders, that is.

    You do have two, don't you?
     
  22. Agpl

    Agpl Karting

    Jan 15, 2013
    91
    Worcestershire UK
    Full Name:
    John Ranson
    Mercedes made it work perfectly years ago!!
    So why at this level do ferrari think it is acceptable,its a great drive but annoying when let down by this, the nav ( why Chrysler rubbish).
    Anyway I will try and get the upgraded arm on order.
     
  23. Munich

    Munich Rookie

    Jun 1, 2013
    3
    My car was delivered in March 2013 and the issues with the assist arm started on day one. After two dealer visits the unit was completely replaced and this did last for two days. Only way to reset now is to disconnect the battery. They have now idea what is causing the issue so any similar experience would be valuable and I will keep you posted.
     
  24. travellingbearsva

    Jul 22, 2012
    88
    Virginia
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #24 travellingbearsva, Jun 2, 2013
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2013
    I had full replacement of all components on both sides after I went thru 4-5 shop visits on this issue. At last episode (failure occurred 2 days after all the mechanical swaps) it actually 'auto-recovered' (after 5-days of being in failed state) when the transport guy sat in car during home pickup. He had observed it was in failed condition 10 minutes earlier. While at dealer it continued to work without issue for the next 5 days and for two weeks after return. For past three weeks it has been failed again on driver's side (extends 1 inch and retracts) but still okay on passenger side. Wonder if passenger is working since it gets cycled infrequently (rarely have passenger).

    I was recalling the circumstances under which the hand-over system 'auto-reset' when I had it picked up for service. We had turned engine off for a few minutes and left key in position 1 (electrical power on) for a minute or so. Then we ended up oscillating between position 1 and 2 (probably 2x) and it worked.

    I just went out to my FF and did the key to position 1 power on (15 seconds) and then oscillated key between positions 1 and 2 a few times (5 seconds in each position). I then opened and shut drivers door (seatbelt assist on drivers side is triggered by door open/close) and the arm moved to normal extension. I went thru start/stop of engine and checked repeated performance. It worked!

    It seems that you can reset on module electronics by doing the position 1/2 deal 2x. I did need the mechanical replacement to resolve an issue where arm stuck in extended position but was still haunted by this fail to reset. This method above seems to reset the electrical subsystem to the arm without needing to mess with battery.

    Dave
     
  25. Entropy

    Entropy Formula 3
    Owner

    Jul 10, 2008
    2,149
    Assuming your car has the same software as ours (no problems), and they replaced the actual mechanism(s) to take the hardware out of the equation, I'm going to guess it's a balky sensor or connection somewhere.

    Knock on wood, we have had ZERO glitches on our FF, but I continue to be amazed at the amount of software on this car and the number of sensors involved in small things (eg. open the door, involves a lot of sensors/microswitches!).

    This can be maddening I am sure. Frankly we could live without the assist arms, they are nice but a bit gadgety.

    Keep us posted, I'm sure this will happen to someone else. I'm sure part of the challenge is the fleet size of FF's is limited, so the knowledge base of wisdom is still very much WIP, statistically we all could have problems that are legitimately "hmm, that's the first time we've seen THAT happen....". Good though that the mechanicals (engine, chassis, gearbox, et al) continue to appear to be relatively robust. (hope I did not jinx all of us)

    did you address your seat comfort issue?
     

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