Need help with 355 convertible top and Shock sensors | FerrariChat
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Need help with 355 convertible top and Shock sensors

Discussion in '348/355' started by TinSoldier, Jul 26, 2008.

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  1. TinSoldier

    TinSoldier Rookie

    Jul 24, 2008
    6
    Atlanta
    #1 TinSoldier, Jul 26, 2008
    I had these 2 problems shortly after I purchased the 97 F355 Spider. Ever since, I kind of stop driving the vehicle and would only drive it on a short trip to keep the oil and everything elses lubricated. Now that I have time and found this site, I would like to fix these.

    First is that the top is not working (I know this is a common problem with F355 spider, so I made sure it was working before purchase). I was letting it down one day and while waiting for the top to go down, I decided to let the windows down because it was a little hot. Well as soon as I did that, the top stop right in the middle. I thought maybe it was a fuse or something so I took the Owners Manual out to see. Besides, I need to find out the emergency procedure to put the top back on. Well while reading the manual, it mentioned not to lower the windows while top is in function . To this day, I have not been able to get the top to do anything after the emergency procedure. I would push the button and the seat wouldnt' even bother to move forward. Is there a fuse for me to check? After searching on here, I only see mainly the fluid might be low. The problem with mine is that both seats dont' even move which I know would be a requirement before the top will function.

    Second is the light for the shock is lit up. I have removed each sensor from the top of each shock to determine which one is bad but it seems that they all turns and go throught the tests, when I turn the ignition on.

    Please help..
     
  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,702
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #2 greyboxer, Jul 26, 2008
    Which shock light - can I just check if you mean the picture of the single shock or the four shocks ?
     
  3. Cardigon

    Cardigon Rookie

    May 24, 2008
    36
    Peoria, AZ
    Full Name:
    Jonathan
    #3 Cardigon, Jul 26, 2008
    I just recently had a similar problem with my spider. The top got caught in between open and closed. As a result the windows wouldn't work and the seats wouldn't work. Turn the car off and let it sit. After awhile get back in and try moving the seats with the center console buttons, try the emergency button again and hopefully it'll move the top a little more. If you can get the seats to move again with the center console buttons, move them up as far as possible. It'll be really cramped getting in and out. If you can get the top to the point where it is 3/4 closed you can push up on the hinges and bring it up the rest of the way. The top will not close and latch at this point because it's not in the proper position but it will give you the opportunity to pull it back manually again until it beeps while pushing up on the center bar. Then give it another try. Just keep fiddling with it and you should get it. If you can get it to work then you will need to push up on that center bar everytime you manually open the top so the top opens properly (not that big of a deal really). Here is the thread with the problem that I posted.

    P.S. If you can get the top to move at all with the emergency button just keep moving it until the seats respond to the center console controls. I think that's the key.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205501
     
  4. TinSoldier

    TinSoldier Rookie

    Jul 24, 2008
    6
    Atlanta
    #4 TinSoldier, Jul 27, 2008

    Sorry, its the light with the four shocks.
     
  5. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,152
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #5 ferraridriver, Jul 27, 2008
    Turn battery master switch off for 5 minutes. You must then let it idle for 10 minutes or so to reset the ECU.

    That's if all the actuators are really working. If the ignition switch is actuated 3 times without starting it will set a soft code.

    I just had this happen last week when I did the shift paddles and had to turn the key on multiple times to turn the steering wheel. when I got finished I had a shock light. Turning the battery off for 5 minutes cleared it.

    If that doesn't clear it you may have a bad actuator or speed sensor.
     
  6. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,152
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #6 ferraridriver, Jul 27, 2008
    Too late to edit the above post

    I forgot to mention that the car was on a lift with the suspension at full droop when I was turning the key on and off to turn the steering wheel. This may have something to do with the shock light coming on
     
  7. TinSoldier

    TinSoldier Rookie

    Jul 24, 2008
    6
    Atlanta
    #7 TinSoldier, Jul 29, 2008
    Well the last time I tried to diagnose the actuators, I was doing it by myself. So confirming if the actuators are moving completely or not isn't 100%. I will try to get help from a friend to switch the ignition while I verify again. Thanks.
     
  8. TinSoldier

    TinSoldier Rookie

    Jul 24, 2008
    6
    Atlanta
    #8 TinSoldier, Jul 29, 2008
    I finally fill up the reservoir and bleed the system by pressing it for couple of seconds beyond closing and opening..This was done with the emergency button..

    Here is my problem. I can't open the top with the main switch. I can hear the beep as I manually move the top into position. It would then start the sequence by moving the seats forward, however only the passenger seat moves. The driver is not moving at all. Even with me manually moving the driver seat forward, the top still wouldn't budge to the open. However it would still close by the main switch though. Is there another fuse or relay to initiate the moving of the driver's seat?

    I have been searching and saw people mentioned about the potentiometer..However my seat still move with manual button.
     
  9. eyboro

    eyboro Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 30, 2004
    989
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Eitan
    #9 eyboro, Jul 29, 2008
    Where are you located? I had similar problems with my top the technition, I don't konw his name, at Continental Ferrari in Illinois was able to fix. He is a trained Ferrari Spider top repair tech. Try calling him at 630-655-3535.
     
  10. TinSoldier

    TinSoldier Rookie

    Jul 24, 2008
    6
    Atlanta
    #10 TinSoldier, Jul 29, 2008
    Sorry, just updated my profile..I am in Hotlanta....
     
  11. Loser

    Loser Formula Junior

    Apr 11, 2008
    791
    Gilroy, CA
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #11 Loser, Jul 29, 2008
    Hi TinSoldier,

    Does the driver's seat move forward with the seat switch? If both seats work with the seat switches, then I would look at the potentiometer under the driver's seat. Or, there is a diagnostic connector that a Ferrari shop can connect to for diagnosing the system.
     
  12. TinSoldier

    TinSoldier Rookie

    Jul 24, 2008
    6
    Atlanta
    #12 TinSoldier, Jul 29, 2008
    Yes, the seat is still able to move by the switch..As I previously posted, as I was searching. To my understanding is that if the potentiometer is malfunction, the seat would not be able to move via the switch at all. Am I understanding that right?
     
  13. Loser

    Loser Formula Junior

    Apr 11, 2008
    791
    Gilroy, CA
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #13 Loser, Jul 29, 2008
    My driver's seat moves fine with the potentiometer disconnected. My passenger seat moves only one way but I'm pretty sure this is due to the ECU. Neither seat has the potentiometer connected at this point. Have you removed your seat yet and visually inspected the potentiometer? Mine actually cracked.
     

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