Ferrari 360: Spider roof stops part-way — hydraulic fluid and microswitch faults
Spider roof stops part-way — hydraulic fluid and microswitch faults is a common electrical fault on the Ferrari 360 on the 2000–2005 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $800 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 7 documented faults on the Ferrari 360.
- Vehicle
- Ferrari 360
- Years
- 2000–2005
- Fuel
- petrol
- System
- Electrical
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
The 360 Spider's powered soft top is driven by a hydraulic pump and rams and sequenced by a string of microswitches, and when it misbehaves it almost always stops part-way through the cycle — typically with the canvas nearly flat and the tonneau refusing to close. Low hydraulic fluid and a microswitch that has drifted out of position account for most of it and are cheap to sort, but a seized ram or a failed pump is not, and a roof left half-open lets water into the cabin and the electronics behind the seats. Cycle it yourself rather than taking the seller's word, because it is one of the few things on the car you can fully test in the driveway.
What you would notice
- Roof stopping part-way through opening or closing
- Tonneau cover not lowering or latching after the roof folds
- Roof operating only after several attempts or with a helping hand
- Damp carpets or a musty smell behind the seats
- Hydraulic fluid stains in the roof well
How to check it
Where to look. Roof hydraulic pump and rams behind the seats; microswitches on the roof frame and tonneau
With the engine running, cycle the roof fully open and fully closed at least twice from start to finish and time it — it should complete without pausing, without anyone touching it and without a warning chime.
Watch the tonneau cover close and latch properly after the roof folds.
Look and feel in the roof well and behind the seats for damp, water staining or oily hydraulic fluid.
Check the canvas for wear along the folds and the rear window for clouding or splits.
Ask whether the roof has ever needed repair, whether the hydraulic fluid has been topped up and whether any microswitches have been adjusted or replaced.
What it costs to put right
$800 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Does the roof complete a full cycle every time, and can we run it twice now?”
- “Has the roof mechanism ever been repaired, and were microswitches or the pump replaced?”
- “Has water ever got into the cabin?”
Now check the Ferrari 360 you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
- FerrariChat — 'Ferrari 360 Spider Roof Stuck' thread
- FerrariChat — '360 430 spider roof problems - how to fix' thread
- Aldous Voice — 'Ferrari 360 Spider Roof'
- PistonHeads Ferrari V8 forum — '360 Spider Roof issue'
Ferrari 360 buyer questions
Is spider roof stops part-way — hydraulic fluid and microswitch faults serious on a Ferrari 360?
We rate it major and common on the Ferrari 360. The 360 Spider's powered soft top is driven by a hydraulic pump and rams and sequenced by a string of microswitches, and when it misbehaves it almost always stops part-way through the cycle — typically with the canvas nearly flat and the tonneau refusing to close. Low hydraulic fluid and a microswitch that has drifted out of position account for most of it and are cheap to sort, but a seized ram or a failed pump is not, and a roof left half-open lets water into the cabin and the electronics behind the seats. Cycle it yourself rather than taking the seller's word, because it is one of the few things on the car you can fully test in the driveway.
How much does it cost to fix on a Ferrari 360?
$800 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Ferrari 360 years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2000–2005 Ferrari 360. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
With the engine running, cycle the roof fully open and fully closed at least twice from start to finish and time it — it should complete without pausing, without anyone touching it and without a warning chime. Watch the tonneau cover close and latch properly after the roof folds. Look and feel in the roof well and behind the seats for damp, water staining or oily hydraulic fluid. Check the canvas for wear along the folds and the rear window for clouding or splits. Ask whether the roof has ever needed repair, whether the hydraulic fluid has been topped up and whether any microswitches have been adjusted or replaced. Look here: Roof hydraulic pump and rams behind the seats; microswitches on the roof frame and tonneau