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Spider Top Issue

Discussion in '360/430' started by kimpearsonusa, Oct 8, 2012.

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  1. kimpearsonusa

    kimpearsonusa Rookie

    May 18, 2011
    37
    Lake St. Louis, MO
    Full Name:
    Kim Pearson
    #1 kimpearsonusa, Oct 8, 2012
    Having a problem with my 2004 360 Spider Top. Has always worked fine and I don't put it up or down too many times as I understand the MTBF issue.

    Anyway three (3) days ago I went out and put it up. Worked great. Then I realized I needed it down to remove a camera mount I had placed on the rear shelf side. It went back down with no problem. When I tried to return it to the up position the cover went up fine but then the time in the cycle came that the top unit and fins come out. They were pulled down until I release the switch, then you can see them relax from the down pressure.

    When I try to open the top to recycle the system all works good until the final step where the flaps on each side go up. The cycle stops there and the flaps stay down and I don't get the end of cycle beeping the tells me the top is fully down.

    I have checked the the fluid and it is fine, disconnected the battery switch and left it over night to reset the ECU. Operated it with the engine running and stopped, put a trickle charger on the battery and left it for a day to top off the battery fully,

    None of these things had any effect. Finally I pulled up and down slightly on the flat plate that is located between the roll bars and rests just below the front center of the cover when it is down. When I did this the top popped out and completed the up cycle, all the way to getting the beeps that mark the end of the cycle.

    However when I put it down I never get the end of cycle beeps and the flaps stay down when they should come back up. Since it is both flaps and not just one makes me think it is not a microswitch issue, unless only one microswitch controls both left and right flap.


    HELP, any ideas how I can get it synchronized again?

    THANKS
     
  2. Spitfire

    Spitfire Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2006
    1,602
    #2 Spitfire, Oct 8, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2012
    To be honest with you I don't fully understand the problem based upon the description. However, I think it may be faulty operation of the side flaps, and given that you've checked the fluid and done an overnight reset I would guess that one of the microswitches has either failed or requires adjustment.

    I had issues with my top last year. As far as I recall, the microswitches for the flaps are only installed on the driver's side, so a microswitch problem would, I think, affect both flaps. I might be wrong about this.

    There's a lot of good info in the following thread, although it is a bit of a read:

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335288
     
  3. Trent

    Trent Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2003
    2,013
    Indialantic, FL
    Full Name:
    Trent
    #3 Trent, Oct 8, 2012
    +1; I a agree the top will only actuate N times before failure. Also the aging of the components will reduce the MTBF. If I want to put my top up or down I just do it, but I dont leave my top UP just so it does not wrinkle, etc, this would cause 10x the top actuations because I just always have it down.

    I dont quite follow the failure, and would like to help. Please shoot a video, upload to youtube, and post the link here. If you have an iphone you can do all of this from your phone in 2minutes flat. Have someone else shoot the video or actuate the switch so we can see the top motion failure.
     
  4. m.roberts

    m.roberts Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2009
    907
    USA
    #4 m.roberts, Oct 8, 2012
    I had the same problem with my old 430.

    Basically the color painted flaps that are right there by the little roll cages are not closing.

    First time, I sent to dealer and found that a piece of the roof hardware had bent and was causing this.

    Second time, I just let it sit for a few days, then somethow it corrected itself.

    DO NOT force the flaps with your hand. I tried this once. The flap actually broke because it is only held on with 1 cheap little piece of plastic that easily breaks.

    You might try to kill the power to the whole car and then try the top again.


    Ultimately, this is one of the main reasons I got rid of my 430 and went with a Scud coupe. I didn't want to have to mess with these soft top issues on a car that was out of warranty. I know the softtop is awesome, but it is also expensive to fix if a problem arises. I am looking forward to the hardtop 458 when I can finally afford it.
     
  5. BillEllison

    BillEllison Karting

    Oct 16, 2011
    89
    Conroe, Tx
    Full Name:
    Bill Ellison
    #5 BillEllison, Oct 8, 2012
    I had the same issue with my 2005 F430. Talked to FOH service guys and said when the top is not used that often, it loses pressure, even if you just used it and it worked fine, because of a "limited" use, this problem happens. It happened for about the 1st month I had the car and only occasionally happens now.
    Hope this helps...
     
  6. Trent

    Trent Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2003
    2,013
    Indialantic, FL
    Full Name:
    Trent
    #6 Trent, Oct 8, 2012
    The system is a self priming hydraulic circuit. It loses pressure the second the pump is deactivated. There is no accumulator or check valve to hold pressure.

    The system does have a high pressure valve limiting maximum pressure.

    The rams have a piston, driven from either side depending on desired direction, and this piston can wear causing a loss of pressure in the specific ram, but this is a localized issue caused from wear, not being idle.

    Some have reported the top fabric needs to be stretched out regularly or the top will have trouble closing properly, I have not had this issue and I rarely put my top up. This is just one data point.

    The main reason I leave my top up is to get that leather smell again, if left down the smell fades with time.
     

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