My first Fcar DIY project. If I can do it, anyone can! | FerrariChat
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My first Fcar DIY project. If I can do it, anyone can!

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Toronto308, Jun 20, 2008.

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  1. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
    Full Name:
    Esteban
    #1 Toronto308, Jun 20, 2008
    So.... my driver side window switch wasn't working on my 308. I lived with it for a while as I only take the car out on sunny days but still, it sure was a pain to wash it with the window down. For some time I played around with the idea of seeing whether I could fix the problem myself and spent a considerable amount of time here on Fchat reading all the posts about 308 power window woes. To be completely honest, the thought of 'cracking open' any part of a Ferrari intimidated me but, today I said 'what the heck' and did some exploring.
    From what I've read here the problem is often the switch itself. Okay. I felt around under the arm rest, looked around, and was able to pop up the switch from the door pretty easily. There were six wire leads. I pulled them off one by one and numbered them so I could put everything back together. Next came the little frame around the switch. This was not 'easy' to take off but, with care, I was able to unsnap it. Next came the two little snaps on each side of the switch itself. These unsnapped very easily. So then everything was pulled apart. Looking inside I saw all the point were covered in some sort of gung (kind of like a thick lubricant). I cleaned off everything inside the switch with Q-tips and tissue, then cleaned the outside connection points with some steel wool (please feel free to provide the correct terminology as I don't know what they're called but I'm talking about the prongs the wire connectors slide on to). Put everything back together, tried the switch and voila! It worked! Oh what a satisfying feeling.
    I started this thread first to share the good news but second to encourage anyone thinking about working on their own cars that it can be done! Granted, my little project was a very minor one but still, you gotta start somewhere.
    So where do I go from here? First I think Ill get an Fchat membership so I can post more pics, which will, undoubtedly, come in handy for future projects. (I need to do one more switch on the passenger side (not so pressing as the driver's side switch for the passenger window works fine)) and then tackle some other projects.
    I have to say, fixing even little things like a switch increases the ownership and use of these cars exponentially. It sure was fun to get my hands dirty.
     
  2. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2003
    43,841
    26.806311,-81.755805
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    Dave M.
    #2 dm_n_stuff, Jun 20, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2008
    First one is ALWAYS the scariest one.

    I did just about the same project as you. fixed a couple bad window switches.

    By the time I sold the car, I had replaced cooling fans, thermostats, fuse blocks, power widow motors, and any number of other various and sundry parts. I never tackled any huge projects, but it can get to be fun, rather than intimidating.

    DM
     
  3. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,053
    USA
    #3 f355spider, Jun 20, 2008
    Congratulations Esteban! I did the same on my 308 years ago, and also sprayed all the window felts/tracks with silicone lubricant, and the windows worked much faster. One tip, I prefer to use 3M Scotchbrite pad rather than steel wool when cleaning contacts, only because I fear (perhaps unfounded) that a bit of the steel wool might cause a short if I am not too careful and miss it somewhere....
     
  4. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,974
    MD and NE
    Full Name:
    Robbie
    #4 285ferrari, Jun 20, 2008
    Congrats----I remember working on the 328 for the first time, replacing the spark plugs, it was very intimidating!!
     
  5. gerritv

    gerritv Formula 3

    Jun 18, 2001
    1,400
    St Catharines
    Full Name:
    Gerrit
    #5 gerritv, Jun 21, 2008
    Congrats Estaban,
    Generally the switches have a dielectric grease in them. It helps keep things smooth and reduces the changes of the contacts oxidizing (going green which can result is poor connection). Of course after 25+ years the grease can also have the opposite effect :)

    http://dino308gt4.com
    Gerrit
     
  6. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
    Full Name:
    Esteban
    #6 Toronto308, Jun 24, 2008
    Thanks for the replies and tips. I'll be posting more as I move along. Is it best to post here or in the 308 section?
     
  7. James in Denver

    James in Denver Formula 3

    May 23, 2006
    2,136
    Centennial Colorado
    Full Name:
    James in Denver
    #7 James in Denver, Jun 24, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2008
    Took me 6 1/2 hours to replace the spark plugs, wires, extendors on my former 308 QV. I posted about it.

    Oil Change, no problem.... to a bit longer than my daily driver, but its straight forward.

    Windows..... wouldnt touch it. Heard it was a nightmare. Dave Helms fixed my window in about 45 mins to 1 hour. It would have taken me 2x the time to get the panel off, not to mention if I messed up the cabling, i would be hosed.

    Toronto308, congrats on the first small project. Fchat is definately the source to research prior to other projects.

    James in Denver

    EDIT: I'd post here if it was a complex project and you have major questions or pictures. Surely wouldnt hurt to let the 308 section know and post a link. Just my 2 cents.
     
  8. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
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    The Bad Guy
    #8 ernie, Jun 24, 2008
    ATA boy Esteban!!!
     
  9. jayt

    jayt Rookie

    Feb 26, 2008
    31
    Mt. Pleasant, SC
    Full Name:
    Jay
    #9 jayt, Jun 26, 2008
    You are so correct - first one is hardest. I had the alternator go out on my 355 after 2 miles - it had just been 30k serviced and I tralered it home (600 miles away) and need to fix. Thanks to some great help on this site I was able to fix myself- then I found alternator belt had not been installed correctly, then I found betl tensioning bolt had been bent - it broke and now I had driven the car for about 2 miles and it was DOA. Thanks to the Ferrari comunity and Ricambia I got it back working - I have no fear any more!!
     
  10. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,856
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #10 FasterIsBetter, Jun 27, 2008
    I've said this many times on here -- Ferraris are just cars. I know that is sacrelig around here, but it's true. There is no huge mystery about working on them. Sure, they have dedicated parts, but most cars do. Sure, there may be special procedures for certain things, but most cars have that. As long as you are willing to turn a wrench, you can work on a 308 as easily as any other car. Just take your time, be conscious of what you're doing, read the manuals, look at the parts diagrams to see how things fit together. And don't be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid questions, except the ones you didn't bother to ask. Not bragging here, but the first project I undertook on my 308 was pulling the engine and doing a major service (timing belts, valve timing, hoses, etc.) plus a conversion to an Electromotive ignition system. It sounds like an impossible job, when you look at what needs to be done. But if you break the job down into its component parts, none of it is that technically difficult. So that's what I did -- one job at a time. It took a while, but I wasn't in a rush. Everything came out and went back in, and the car runs like a dream now.

    Congrats on your first project, done successfully! Keep going. The more you do, the easier it gets, and the more enjoyment you'll have from the car, knowing that YOU did the work yourself.
     
  11. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 13, 2004
    7,353
    Kzoo Michigan
    #11 phrogs, Apr 23, 2013
    Damn, The first thing I did to my Ferrari 308 when I got it home was rip out the motor.

    Mainly so I had access to change out all the fuel lines. but it also gained me access to the engine for easier 30K service that I did as well.
     

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