Pop up roof issues T7

[heidiboy]

I'm looking for some advice please...

We've been looking at a T7/MV California Coast, it's a 2024 (74) ex-rental from a VW main dealer. It's a lovely van but when I test drove it a warning alert came on the dashboard regarding the pop-top. Something along the lines of 'Error Pop-up roof, refer to manual'. When I tried to open it after the test drive it wouldn't open. The salesman couldn't open it either. The warning came on whenever the van was accelerating from a stationary position (not sure that's relevant?).

They took it into the workshop to see if they could fix it and end result was they said it needed a new leisure battery. Does this seem likely or more likely a problem with the roof itself? I'm probably being over cautious but it's a big investment. At the end of the day we don't have to buy it, and if we do then we have 5 years warranty. Just don't want the hassle of having to keep going back to the dealer if there is a more serious problem.

Thanks,

 

[Paul White]

I'm looking for some advice please...

We've been looking at a T7/MV California Coast, it's a 2024 (74) ex-rental from a VW main dealer. It's a lovely van but when I test drove it a warning alert came on the dashboard regarding the pop-top. Something along the lines of 'Error Pop-up roof, refer to manual'. When I tried to open it after the test drive it wouldn't open. The salesman couldn't open it either. The warning came on whenever the van was accelerating from a stationary position (not sure that's relevant?).

They took it into the workshop to see if they could fix it and end result was they said it needed a new leisure battery. Does this seem likely or more likely a problem with the roof itself? I'm probably being over cautious but it's a big investment. At the end of the day we don't have to buy it, and if we do then we have 5 years warranty. Just don't want the hassle of having to keep going back to the dealer if there is a more serious problem.

Thanks,

Hi, I have a T7 2025 Ocean and I know there is a campaign to upload new software for battery drainage issues. I’m taking mine in next week for the upgrade which will mean leaving the van for a couple of days as they will complete my first service also.
If the dealer had not kept the leisure battery and engine battery charged then as you know this may damage the battery so that it will not hold a charge.
The dealer could simply plug the van via the 220v connection, which is what one does at a camp site and the roof should open no problem. I’m not sure how many leisure batteries you have with the coast and not sure how many years the warranty covers batteries , may not be 3 years.
Personally I wouldn’t buy the van unless they replace the batteries. My previous California Van had two leisure batteries plus the motor battery and I always charged them over night at home every two weeks regardless of depending on charging via the engine. This advice came from a VW Mechanic. Strongly advise you fully understand what is covered with the 5 year warranty
Good luck

 

[heidiboy]

Hi, I have a T7 2025 Ocean and I know there is a campaign to upload new software for battery drainage issues. I’m taking mine in next week for the upgrade which will mean leaving the van for a couple of days as they will complete my first service also.
If the dealer had not kept the leisure battery and engine battery charged then as you know this may damage the battery so that it will not hold a charge.
The dealer could simply plug the van via the 220v connection, which is what one does at a camp site and the roof should open no problem. I’m not sure how many leisure batteries you have with the coast and not sure how many years the warranty covers batteries , may not be 3 years.
Personally I wouldn’t buy the van unless they replace the batteries. My previous California Van had two leisure batteries plus the motor battery and I always charged them over night at home every two weeks regardless of depending on charging via the engine. This advice came from a VW Mechanic. Strongly advise you fully understand what is covered with the 5 year warranty
Good luck

Thanks, that’s really useful info. I’ll ask them on Monday about plugging in. Funny thing was the engine was running when we were trying to get the roof up.

They are offering the cover vehicle/battery as if new and all will be under the 5 year warranty.

 

[Meoncoast]

If the van is the one you want. Then I would not worry. 5 year warranty and dealer aware so will fix it. However if the leasure battery failure would expect other camping things would not function. Have you test fridge and camping heater.

 

[heidiboy]

If the van is the one you want. Then I would not worry. 5 year warranty and dealer aware so will fix it. However if the leasure battery failure would expect other camping things would not function. Have you test fridge and camping heater.

Thanks, the saga continues, they've now had to send the van away to a lithium battery specialist to be fixed. They couldn't do at a VW main dealer which seems odd. Something to with lithium battery cells needing to be re-somethinged. Not paid anything yet so unless we get a detailed explanation of what the problem is I'm tempted to walk away.

 

[Meoncoast]

Thanks, the saga continues, they've now had to send the van away to a lithium battery specialist to be fixed. They couldn't do at a VW main dealer which seems odd. Something to with lithium battery cells needing to be re-somethinged. Not paid anything yet so unless we get a detailed explanation of what the problem is I'm tempted to walk away.

I tend to agree if the battery is "duff" then I thought VW would just change it for a new one.

 

[vbk1975]

Thanks, the saga continues, they've now had to send the van away to a lithium battery specialist to be fixed. They couldn't do at a VW main dealer which seems odd. Something to with lithium battery cells needing to be re-somethinged. Not paid anything yet so unless we get a detailed explanation of what the problem is I'm tempted to walk away.

They will be referring to get getting the battery cells rebalanced. Basically the li-ion batteries are constructed of a number of cells and combined they provide the battery output. If one of the cells becomes out of sync with the others then the battery is effectively restricted by the weakest cell. I will be honest I had no idea that it was an economical thing to get a 12v li-ion rebalanced. On main HV batteries on electric vehicles the cell balancing is a background task.