Unwanted awning

[Nippy]

My wife and I have a T5.1 California, and neither of us are particularly fond of the wind out awning.
It still has the original canvas that has suffered with the heat, splitting along the glued join, replacing with a new item being one of the jobs on our list.
I think the awning is aesthetically unpleasant, (totally unbalanced) a bit of a carbuncle lashed on the side, and the plan is to remove it and replace with a rip stop nylon sun canopy, possibly from Wild Earth, something we enjoyed with our last T5, an Autosleeper.
Have any other California owners come to the same conclusion, or are we facing being blackballed for having the temerity to alter the original ?

 

[WelshGas]

My wife and I have a T5.1 California, and neither of us are particularly fond of the wind out awning.
It still has the original canvas that has suffered with the heat, splitting along the glued join, replacing with a new item being one of the jobs on our list.
I think the awning is aesthetically unpleasant, (totally unbalanced) a bit of a carbuncle lashed on the side, and the plan is to remove it and replace with a rip stop nylon sun canopy, possibly from Wild Earth, something we enjoyed with our last T5, an Autosleeper.
Have any other California owners come to the same conclusion, or are we facing being blackballed for having the temerity to alter the original ?

Blackballed.
No longer recognised as a VW California just lumped in with all the wannabe conversions.

 

[Nippy]

Blackballed.
No longer recognised as a VW California just lumped in with all the wannabe conversions.

Hi WelshGas, thanks for responding, bit harsh though…..
Am I right in reading that you bought a 180 DSG in 2014, selling after 130,000 miles?
Ours is a 180 DSG too, 2015 model, and we love it, but I’m slightly thoughtful about all the doomscrollers who write that it’s the worst engine combination ever and an (expensive) accident waiting to happen.
It’s got a “C” spec EGR valve, runs clean and pulls like a train, I had the EGR an inspected by VW Commercial when I bought it, and all seems well.
Any thoughts? Have you re-mapped to blank off the EGR, or taken any other steps?
I came to the conclusion that the problems were with the 2010-11 production and by 2015 any faults had been eradicated, I rest easy and then another horror story pops up, there are always going to some, but how many 180 brake engines did VW produce ?
Regards!

 

[WelshGas]

Hi WelshGas, thanks for responding, bit harsh though…..
Am I right in reading that you bought a 180 DSG in 2014, selling after 130,000 miles?
Ours is a 180 DSG too, 2015 model, and we love it, but I’m slightly thoughtful about all the doomscrollers who write that it’s the worst engine combination ever and an (expensive) accident waiting to happen.
It’s got a “C” spec EGR valve, runs clean and pulls like a train, I had the EGR an inspected by VW Commercial when I bought it, and all seems well.
Any thoughts? Have you re-mapped to blank off the EGR, or taken any other steps?
I came to the conclusion that the problems were with the 2010-11 production and by 2015 any faults had been eradicated, I rest easy and then another horror story pops up, there are always going to some, but how many 180 brake engines did VW produce ?
Regards!

Yes , I had a 180 , 2014 , that covered just shy of 150,000 miles. 0 mls oil usage between annual services. The EGR was changed at 900 miles, 2 weeks after pickup, due to an electrical fault and it didn't have a suffix letter after the part number, so that EGR was on the vehicle for 2 weeks short of 10 yrs when I sold it.
No remap or blanking off. I just used it.
The 2010/11 engines had a specific manufacturing problem. Every EGR model A to D have been blamed. I, personally, believe the EGR cooler corrosion that occurs is a symptom, not the cause. Many, if not all, the vehicles affected are not daily drivers mainly periodic drivers and therein lies the probable cause.
Anyway I've now got a Hybrid Multivan 19,000 miles in 18 months.

 

[Nippy]

Yes , I had a 180 , 2014 , that covered just shy of 150,000 miles. 0 mls oil usage between annual services. The EGR was changed at 900 miles, 2 weeks after pickup, due to an electrical fault and it didn't have a suffix letter after the part number, so that EGR was on the vehicle for 2 weeks short of 10 yrs when I sold it.
No remap or blanking off. I just used it.
The 2010/11 engines had a specific manufacturing problem. Every EGR model A to D have been blamed. I, personally, believe the EGR cooler corrosion that occurs is a symptom, not the cause. Many, if not all, the vehicles affected are not daily drivers mainly periodic drivers and therein lies the probable cause.
Anyway I've now got a Hybrid Multivan 19,000 miles in 18 months.

Morning WelshGas, thanks again for previous posts, discussions Chez Nippy have now concluded that Management always wanted a wind out on her previous campers, so ours stays, end of conversation… the fabric had ripped along the seam at some point, photo attached, so now sunny holidays are over, I’m investigating repair / replacement.
On another matter, the sink water pump has stopped working, I’ve managed to get the tank cover off, but unsure of next step, could I pick you brains again?
Strange, but there was a pump in the lower drawer when we bought the van, and across the battery it spins nicely… my thoughts are if it has been replaced, why not chuck it, if it wasn’t going to be used , why buy it, it’s not an obvious spare…promotes the thought there might be an intermittent fault and never fitted…
Have to say, at nearly 80 I’m finding the water pump access a challenge, so any pointers would be appreciated!
Hope you’re well,

Paul

 

[Nippy]

Photo as promised…

 

[WelshGas]

Morning WelshGas, thanks again for previous posts, discussions Chez Nippy have now concluded that Management always wanted a wind out on her previous campers, so ours stays, end of conversation… the fabric had ripped along the seam at some point, photo attached, so now sunny holidays are over, I’m investigating repair / replacement.
On another matter, the sink water pump has stopped working, I’ve managed to get the tank cover off, but unsure of next step, could I pick you brains again?
Strange, but there was a pump in the lower drawer when we bought the van, and across the battery it spins nicely… my thoughts are if it has been replaced, why not chuck it, if it wasn’t going to be used , why buy it, it’s not an obvious spare…promotes the thought there might be an intermittent fault and never fitted…
Have to say, at nearly 80 I’m finding the water pump access a challenge, so any pointers would be appreciated!
Hope you’re well,

Paul

Before changing the pump, check the tap.
Remove Cutlery draw. Follow wires from tap around R side of sink to the foam covered connector. Undo connector and bridge the Non-tap side of connector with a paperclip or similar. If pump runs faulty tap microswitch. If pump doesn't run then swap out pump.

 

[Nippy]

Hi WG, thanks gain for your prompt reply and suggestions, I’ve done as you suggest and bridging the feed unfelt the sink sadly made no difference, despite my hearing loss I can detect a click when the pump is switched on, so the micro switch seems to be ok.
I’ve managed to get the pump out, but tracing the wiring feed back uncovers a rather nasty join in the wiring, where the pump wire joins the loom, taped up rather badly / untidily with red insulation tape, although the joint is practically below the cupboard floor and therefore inaccessible.
Unfortunately I’ve made some wooden shelves in the cupboard, so I’m working at a disadvantage , I think I need to strip the shelves out and have another go, perhaps extending the main feed a few inches to make life easier!
On a positive note, I’ve taken the awning fabric to a local contact who can happily stitch the two pieces together for minimal cost, so I will return to the pump over the weekend, refreshed and invigorated!
Thanks again for your help, I hope it’s not too inconvenient picking you brains!

Paul

 

[Perfectos]

Search results for the awning issue to assist other

Search results for query: Awning material replace

vwcaliforniaclub.com

@Nippy are you able to add details of the company who are fixing your awning pls , to assist others

 

[WelshGas]

Hi WG, thanks gain for your prompt reply and suggestions, I’ve done as you suggest and bridging the feed unfelt the sink sadly made no difference, despite my hearing loss I can detect a click when the pump is switched on, so the micro switch seems to be ok.
I’ve managed to get the pump out, but tracing the wiring feed back uncovers a rather nasty join in the wiring, where the pump wire joins the loom, taped up rather badly / untidily with red insulation tape, although the joint is practically below the cupboard floor and therefore inaccessible.
Unfortunately I’ve made some wooden shelves in the cupboard, so I’m working at a disadvantage , I think I need to strip the shelves out and have another go, perhaps extending the main feed a few inches to make life easier!
On a positive note, I’ve taken the awning fabric to a local contact who can happily stitch the two pieces together for minimal cost, so I will return to the pump over the weekend, refreshed and invigorated!
Thanks again for your help, I hope it’s not too inconvenient picking you brains!

Paul

So, it would seem as if the pump has been replaced before because that type of connection is not VW standard.
This is the VW connection covered in grey foam.

 

[Nippy]

Search results for the awning issue to assist other

Search results for query: Awning material replace

vwcaliforniaclub.com

@Nippy are you able to add sp details of the company who are fixing your awning pls , to assist others

Hi Perfectos, I’m in touch with Manuals Drapes, on the Baldock Industrial Estate, the estate has the appearance of a war zone, as there was a huge fire some time ago and most of it was destroyed, but Manuals was of the few untouched, I’ll report again when the canvas is picked up!

 

[Nippy]

So, it would seem as if the pump has been replaced before because that type of connection is not VW standard.
This is the VW connection covered in grey foam.

I’ve had another fiddle and one pic will show the pump in the car, I’m guessing it’s not original with the three wires , one taped up with the same red insulating tape, another shows the pump found in the car, two leads, brown and blue, another pic shows the bare brown wire and blue ‘spade’, any thoughts?

 

[Nippy]

So, it would seem as if the pump has been replaced before because that type of connection is not VW standard.
This is the VW connection covered in grey foam.

Hi WelshGas, at risk of overstaying my welcome, I’ve had another fiddle…
I’ve put a bulb across the wires going to the pump, an it glows when the water is turned on at the sink, I’ve tested the pump, and it is fine with a strong 12 volt feed, taken from the leisure battery below the cupboard, as is the spare that came with the van.
Conclusion is that the voltage drops somewhere between the sink and the feed at the water tank end, I hesitate before dismantling the van completely, but there must be a weak connection somewhere in between, if you’re still prepared to make a suggestion, I’d be pleased to hear it!
Kind regards!

 

[WelshGas]

Hi WelshGas, at risk of overstaying my welcome, I’ve had another fiddle…
I’ve put a bulb across the wires going to the pump, an it glows when the water is turned on at the sink, I’ve tested the pump, and it is fine with a strong 12 volt feed, taken from the leisure battery below the cupboard, as is the spare that came with the van.
Conclusion is that the voltage drops somewhere between the sink and the feed at the water tank end, I hesitate before dismantling the van completely, but there must be a weak connection somewhere in between, if you’re still prepared to make a suggestion, I’d be pleased to hear it!
Kind regards!

Check the multi connection located beneath the kitchen cupboard floor. R side kitchen floor there is an inspection cover. Connector below cover. It is prone to corrosion. Disconnect and clean connectors.

 

[Nippy]

Check the multi connection located beneath the kitchen cupboard floor. R side kitchen floor there is an inspection cover. Connector below cover. It is prone to corrosion. Disconnect and clean connectors.

Hi WG, youngest daughter’s partner is an electrician, and was tempted to bring some tool / gauges around on the promise of a roast dinner, so I’ve managed to enlist some specialist help!
Much testing resulted in the tap being the culprit, and I’m in the process of getting another, I remember seeing another of your helpful posts including a video of the tap replacement, but can’t find it again…
I really appreciate your time and help on a number of occasions, so thanks again, I’ve reassembled the van and as soon as I get the awning back and a replacement tap, and all things are working again, I’ll post something appropriate on the web!
Regards,
Nippy / Paul

 

[WelshGas]

Hi WG, youngest daughter’s partner is an electrician, and was tempted to bring some tool / gauges around on the promise of a roast dinner, so I’ve managed to enlist some specialist help!
Much testing resulted in the tap being the culprit, and I’m in the process of getting another, I remember seeing another of your helpful posts including a video of the tap replacement, but can’t find it again…
I really appreciate your time and help on a number of occasions, so thanks again, I’ve reassembled the van and as soon as I get the awning back and a replacement tap, and all things are working again, I’ll post something appropriate on the web!
Regards,
Nippy / Paul

Campervan tap replacement.