Roof up and down problems

[Anthony1]

Just been out locally. Putting the roof up and down, on both occasions (ie up and down) it stopped about three times and the message: ' Start Engine' popped up. I started the engine and the message read: 'Roof Open!'. I know the roof won't operate with thengine running. I had to keep switching the ignition on and off and it opened and closed. But obviously something is not right.

Any ideas?

Thanks you

 

[JohnCalifornia]

I always have my engine running when putting roof up or down. I’m sure you have to when putting up and I don’t think you have to when lowering it

 

[Anthony1]

I always have my engine running when putting roof up or down. I’m sure you have to when putting up and I don’t think you have to when lowering it

Thanks. Maybe I forgot that I do that too. Brains overheated due to the weather.

 

[WelshGas]

Just been out locally. Putting the roof up and down, on both occasions (ie up and down) it stopped about three times and the message: ' Start Engine' popped up. I started the engine and the message read: 'Roof Open!'. I know the roof won't operate with thengine running. I had to keep switching the ignition on and off and it opened and closed. But obviously something is not right.

Any ideas?

Thanks you

Normally you get the message Start Engine if the power drain on the Leisure Batteries is too great for the Leisure Batteries charge state.

 

[Up10]

I always have my engine running when putting roof up or down. I’m sure you have to when putting up and I don’t think you have to when lowering it

Agree with @WelshGas but I never have my engine running so would check the condition of your batteries.

 

[Anthony1]

Agree with @WelshGas but I never have my engine running so would check the condition of your batteries.

See here. The roof is completely down but the icon shows it open.

Also what is the small square bottom left of the display? And the battery symbol bottom right is that ok?

Thank you

 

[Up10]

See here. The roof is completely down but the icon shows it open.

Also what is the small square bottom left of the display? And the battery symbol bottom right is that ok?

Thank you

View attachment 150678

Ah ok. T5?

 

[WelshGas]

See here. The roof is completely down but the icon shows it open.

Also what is the small square bottom left of the display? And the battery symbol bottom right is that ok?

Thank you

View attachment 150678

What is the Leisure Batteries voltage?
The L lower icon is the Waste Tank, empty.
The R lower icon, Leisure Batteries, but it does not show the state of charge. If the voltage is low it will ask to start engine so the alternator can provide extra electrical charge/power.

 

[TripleBee]

I never open or close the roof with the engine running, apart from an occasional time. It certainly isn't necessary.
Check the battery health, the leisure batteries might need to be changed.
If your roof is closed, but the display shows the roof is open, you will most likely have one or more roof sensors defective.

 

[Anthony1]

I never open or close the roof with the engine running, apart from an occasional time. It certainly isn't necessary.
Check the battery health, the leisure batteries might need to be changed.
If your roof is closed, but the display shows the roof is open, you will most likely have one or more roof sensors defective.

Thank you. I will check

 

[Anthony1]

What is the Leisure Batteries voltage?
The L lower icon is the Waste Tank, empty.
The R lower icon, Leisure Batteries, but it does not show the state of charge. If the voltage is low it will ask to start engine so the alternator can provide extra electrical charge/power.

Thank you. I will check the leisure battery. Do you know where it is, under the passenger seat?

 

[Anthony1]

Ah ok. T5?

Yes T5+1

 

[WelshGas]

Thank you. I will check the leisure battery. Do you know where it is, under the passenger seat?

Change the Control Panel.screen to show the Leisure Battery voltage.
There are 2 x leisure batteries. One under front passenger seat RHD and one in the rear wardrobe base accessed via the boot, L side, behind inspection flap.
I suggest reading the California Suppliment Handbook.
I believe there is a digital copy in the Resources section of the Forum if you don't have a copy.

 

[Anthony1]

Change the Control Panel.screen to show the Leisure Battery voltage.
There are 2 x leisure batteries. One under front passenger seat RHD and one in the rear wardrobe base accessed via the boot, L side, behind inspection flap.
I suggest reading the California Suppliment Handbook.
I believe there is a digital copy in the Resources section of the Forum if you don't have a copy.

Thank you. Much appreciated. I can't find the Supplement Handbook.

Checked aleisure battery via the control panel but only one of them. Sorry for my ignorance but How do I check them both?

 

[WelshGas]

Thank you. Much appreciated. I can't find the Supplement Handbook.

Checked aleisure battery via the control panel but only one of them. Sorry for my ignorance but How do I check them both?

The 2 batteries are wired in parallel so treated as 1 battery.
Here is a copy. Covers T5/5.1/6.

VW T5 California SE User Manual 2014 https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/vw-t5-california-se-user-manual-2014.18/

 

[Anthony1]

The 2 batteries are wired in parallel so treated as 1 battery.
Here is a copy. Covers T5/5.1/6.

VW T5 California SE User Manual 2014 https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/vw-t5-california-se-user-manual-2014.18/

Thank you

It currently reads - see attached

 

[WelshGas]

Thank you

It currently reads - see attached

View attachment 150713

At that state of charge the voltage would drop too low when putting roof up and you would get the message Start Engine to provide more power.

Ignore the % reading that is just a simple calculation on how long the battery will last based on the current power consumption. The 0.2 A shown is the power consumption of the Control Panel screen and drops to 0 A when the screen goes into standby mode.

The Voltage is more important. It is accurate.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Just been out locally. Putting the roof up and down, on both occasions (ie up and down) it stopped about three times and the message: ' Start Engine' popped up. I started the engine and the message read: 'Roof Open!'. I know the roof won't operate with thengine running. I had to keep switching the ignition on and off and it opened and closed. But obviously something is not right.

Any ideas?

Thanks you

I also always have the engine running when I raise and lower the roof though I know you don’t have to. It’s fine, dare I say recommended.
The “Roof Open” warning is because it thinks you are going to drive off.

Everything is absolutely fine.

 

[jeff]

I also always have the engine running when I raise and lower the roof though I know you don’t have to. It’s fine, dare I say recommended.
The “Roof Open” warning is because it thinks you are going to drive off.

Everything is absolutely fine.

Yes I always have engine running as well without any problems over the last 18years.

 

[Anthony1]

At that state of charge the voltage would drop too low when putting roof up and you would get the message Start Engine to provide more power.

Ignore the % reading that is just a simple calculation on how long the battery will last based on the current power consumption. The 0.2 A shown is the power consumption of the Control Panel screen and drops to 0 A when the screen goes into standby mode.

The Voltage is more important. It is accurate.View attachment 150721

Thank you. I have the van plugged in at home and I have raised the roof with not dramas.

I want to check of the battery is charging properly but the rubber cover on the leisure battery is a devil to remove - any tips?

Also, with the roof now up and the van plugged into the house, this is what my cobtrol reads - see attached.

See attached.

 

[TripleBee]

When I plug in the EHU, my batterie voltage rises to 14,4V. Only when the batteries are full, and the current is less than 2A, the voltage drops to about 13,4V and then it will stay there if there is no load.
When I then operate the fridge, heater or roof, the voltage rises again to 14,4V.

 

[willwander]

I’d guess your leisure batteries are a bit duff, leave van plugged in at home for 24 hours which should charge them, then check the control panel voltage, as per welshgas above.
You can do lots of checks on leisure batteries but in my experience none of them really work, if they have gone flat a few times and are not holding a charge then they are probably on their way out and need replacing, there are lots of threads on here about replacing them.

 

[WelshGas]

Thank you. I have the van plugged in at home and I have raised the roof with not dramas.

I want to check of the battery is charging properly but the rubber cover on the leisure battery is a devil to remove - any tips?

Also, with the roof now up and the van plugged into the house, this is what my cobtrol reads - see attached.

See attached.

View attachment 150725

View attachment 150726

As said above the Mains Charging voltage is low. It should be about 14.4v when charging initially dropping to 13.4 v as the batteries approach full charge.

To check voltage of individual batteries it is easier doing it from the rear battery.
Open battery hatch in base of rear wardrobe. Undo battery clamp. Pull battery out into boot space. No Need to undo connections as the wires are long enough to move battery out into boot.
Undo Red lead, but keep it isolated as it is connected to the +tve pole of under seat battery in the front.
Use a multimeter to measure voltage between red lead and -tve pole on rear battery. This give the voltage of the front Leisure battery.
Measure voltage between red lead +tve pole of rear leisure battery and -tve pole of same battery. This gives voltage of rear battery.

NB there is a Cube Fuse on the +tve pole. Check that that is OK.

If these are the original leisure batteries then they should be Varta 75 amp/hr batteries,

Check the manufacturer date .

To check the manufacturing date of a Varta LA80 AGM leisure battery, locate the matrix/dot-matrix code heat-stamped on the top lid or case, or check the negative terminal post where a week-and-year code (WWYY) is often embossed. Alternatively, decode the serial number string (the 4th digit is the year, and the 5th/6th digits indicate the month).

 

[Aubisque]

Sometimes if you half raise or lower the roof it can lose track of what position it is in. If you turn off the control panel and then switch back on it re-registers correctly.

 

[vbk1975]

Sometimes if you half raise or lower the roof it can lose track of what position it is in. If you turn off the control panel and then switch back on it re-registers correctly.

@Aubisque

It only has limit switches, so it doesn't track the roof position.

More likely you have a faulty roof sensor or low fluid or low battery and switching the panel off and on resets the error and allows it to function again.

if you read this then it can help you determine if you have a faulty sensor or it is reading the sensors incorrectly.

Does £800 sound about right including new loom to fix roof sensor issue?

Hi all. Been qu’outra the above for a new loom inc three hours labour to fix issue where I keep getting warnings the roof is open. 2012 SE. I have no mechanical knowledge so couldn’t do it myself. Does this sound about right? Thanks in advance

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