Top won't go down - 1998 355 F1 Spyder

Gorgeous job on that black, Mike. I'm a big Pinnacle fan.

Most issues with the 355 top start with a screwed up frame alignment during the retracting movement...specifically caused by worn elastic straps that assist with pulling the first "bow" not pulling back completely or evenly. I am referring to the front-most rail nearest the windshield. After unlatching the first rail from the windshield, try gently pushing this rail toward the rear of the car while nudging the second rail straight up toward the sky.

These tops are overly complicated so more info on exactly how the top is behaving would be helpful.

 

That car looks blue to me.

Welcome, Mike. I'm a fan of your work. I can't help on this issue as I own a GTB but you've come to the right place. This is a very helpful forum and a somewhat common issue so someone knowledgable will be along shortly.

 

The list of possible issues is long.

If you unlatch the top and push up on it slightly does it beep?
Do the windows drop down about 1"?

If not, then the you probably have a micro switch failure

If it passes that test, what happens when you hit the retract button?

Do the seats move forward? If not, it is probably the seat potentiometer. But it could be the relays on the top ECU board.

If the seats move forward and the top starts to retract, make sure the second bar from the front flops backwards. As mentioned, the elastic straps stretch and the bar will not move backwards and gets caught in the retraction process.

Of course, the top could need to be bled as well.

There are several switches throughout the top, doors and seats....the ECU is always a variable.

Fun huh?

 

There is 20 reasons why the top does not go down. But, you first need to tell us what it is doing.

1) car in neutral, parking brake engaged, windows rolled down all the way.
2) Unlatch the top, push it back 10 inches, does it beep?
3) If it beeps, you push the top button back, does it beep at you?
4) If it does not beep, does it begin to move the seats forward?
5) If the seats move forward, does the top begin to fold back, or nothing?

 

I forgot that part...but the windows need not be down.

This top is freaking awesome!


...but once it works it's just fine.

 

Slight revision:

1) Doors closed, parking brake on, ignition switch in position 2, engine not running.
2) Unlatch the top, windows should go down about 1 or 2", push top back until you hear a beep, (about 10 inches).
3) After the beep push and hold the top button and the seats should start to move forward. If they don't you will hear another beep indicating a problem.
4) Once the seats stop moving forward the top should retract.
5) Upon completion of top retraction seats should move back to original position.
6) release top button.

 

Doesn't matter if engine is running or not. Ignition just needs to be on

Windows do not need to be lowered. Watch this video of the top being sequenced five times in a row with the engine running.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/yw2p9ijbfV8


Bob Ferraris

 

Correct, but I was saying engine off since the car in question is an F1 and if it's running you get into all the crap about starting it.

 

Before trying to operate the top again the first thing I would check is the fluid level. There is a good chance that is low or non-existent. Remove the upholstered cover between the seats and take a look.

My top started acting sluggish this summer and bringing the fluid level up to the max line restored its vitality. Liquid viagra

 

Don't forget the emergency switch, when I bought mine it was the only way to get it down. The console switch would not work but the emergency switch would lower and raise the top.
Before I got it fixed, thanks to Craig

 

I was going to mention that. If it's just a switch gone bad in the system you can roll the windows down and slide the seats forward yourself then pop the little circle out of the pump cover and use the override switch. When I got mine the override was hanging out and the dealership had been using it to put the top up and down. Turns out there was nothing wrong with the top they just didn't know all the sequence of things you have to do like set the brake.

 

Awesome that nothing was wrong with the top, surprised they found the over ride switch lol. Mine was also hanging out from the PO, also my Indy shop guy says always complete the whole open and close cycle, all the way up and all the way down. He said the car does not like you otherwise. I have no clue what he was thinking, but I was thinking " sounds expensive " and he is the factory certified trained owns ferrari guy so ...... I listen.

 

What he is referring to is holding the switch until it beeps and all of the functions are complete. I.e. Seat movement.

I have stopped the cycle when the top was down and noticed the seats won't move. By pushing the switch agsin and letting it finish the cycle all things function correctly.

 

What is the hydralic fluid this group is using for the top? Mine was working perfectly, but now the secondary rams? aren't finishing the job. I was going to have them change out the fluid during the next service, as I've read on here that old fliud can cause these kind of problems, but maybe I can just top it off. Hydralic fluid recommendations? Thanks!

 

In view of your extensive experience can you explain why you regard it as bullying to think a newbie should have the courtesy to see if a solution has been previously posted ?

 

Mercedes product. My 360 buddy bought a can and I topped mine off with it a few months ago. Made a big difference. I just added it. No bleeding , etc.


Here it is on eBay or go to mb store

http://m.ebay.com/itm/251380106957?_mwBanner=1

 

Mike,
If you determine that something is really wrong, you may want to check a thread on making the top manual. I'm going manual later this month.

 

Don't forget that the voltage supplying the ecu for the top must be above 10.5volts. So sometimes it does help to have the engine running to not drain the battery.

 

That's the stuff. It works fantastic. There is a full article buried here on Fchat on how to bleed the system. It is a bit complicated, but it works. I'll try & find it..

EDIT: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/135464575-post5.html

If you are to the point of making the top manual, why not just put a switch in the hole by the ashtray to operate the top with the "emergency switch"? Couple of wires & tada. Heck, you could actually use the existing top switch. Just pull the e-switch wires & connect.

You will need to move the seats & windows manually, but you would need to do that if you went manual anyway.

Just a thought.

 

Just for reference I did this awhile back to track hydraulic flow (and not full convinced the diagram is correct):
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Watson
When you make your top manual ,you dont need to move your seats forward only the back sides of the seats.

 

Makes no difference. Same travel distances. Move the seats up or tip them forward...what ever floats your boat.

 

O/K