URGENT SPIDER ADVICE PLEASE!

[theironduke]

Sorry to shout..

Going to look at a Spider tomorrow morning (1999 CAR) Its got a electric hood which the seller has said "only half works"

Is this one of those things which will be a nightmare/expensive to fix? or could it be something simple? any advice really welcome please. ta

[wrinx]

They can be a bit of a pain....something like the ECU can be expensive but often it's just one of the motors or a relay.

Bit difficult to diagnose over the wonderweb, but if it "half works" then it'll be cheaper than the ECU!

wrinx

[theironduke]

Thanks guys..

Ive been to look at it..so i can give a better description...

Here's what happens when you press the button....

Windows go down a bit...the rear section of the hood lifts...and then nothing...

I gather the "top" should move at this point but it doesn't.

Does this sound like something simple?

TIA

[RichB]

This has happened to both my spiders, it's the hydraulic pump that lifts the roof. I think it cost about £200 to fix at the dealer. You can reach into the batter box behind the seat and hit it with a hammer to make it work but I can't tell you exactly where! SGT in Taplow fixed mine.

[theironduke]

Thanks for that.

As the rear half is lifting is that done off a separate pump or separate system all together?

[RichB]

Different pumps I think.

[theironduke]

ahhh....i see, makes sense

Do you know if you can somehow operate a electric hood manually? (obviousley didn't want to try this on the car i went to look at...) short term it would mitigate the problem.

[RichB]

Yes, there is a handle which you can turn to raise it but it's a PITA. Personally I would leave it in the closed position and get it fixed.

[theironduke]

Cool, well it can stay up then This is all assuming i buy it, but i think i will though...the seller is waiting on somebody else getting back to her with a yay or nay...


fingers crossed....

[RichB]

Have you registered on here? http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum it's an excellent resource for Alfa owners. I was just searching for "roof failure or electric roof" and there loads of posts to read through.

[xyyman]

I presume the two locking handles above the windscreen have been released. Is the engine running as you operate the elecric part? If the answer is yes to both then I agree with the above although Alfa Aid down the road from SGT are an independant specialist and cheaper. I had my roof fixed under warrantee by Black & White in Reading and was fine for the three years I owned it afterwards.

[RichB]

Yes Alfa Aid also have a good reputation but we don't know where the OP lives so it may be irrelevant. One of mine was fixed under warranty too but can't remember which one