Removing the dashboard - seeking "how-to" help

[Blanco]

Does anyone know if there are any step-by-step instructions out there for removing the dashboard on a T6 Ocean.

Top of my snag list since deciding to keep our T6 is the thorny problem of Code B109071 - defroster flap motor actuator jammed - causing windshield demister vents to produce barely a draught and from what I read almost certainly also accounts for the absence of air from the centre two dashboard vents.

Removed the instrument cluster thinking I could reach the motor only to find access completely obscured by a large umbilical of wiring so stiff it can’t be moved, which I assume must be specific to the Cali as it doesn’t appear to be there on a T6 Transporter. Unless anyone miraculously worked out how to get around this lump of wiring (?) it appears the worst-case scenario has to be that the air distribution flap mechanism has jammed thereby stopping the motor from actuating and to fix this the entire dashboard or at least much of it has to come out.

I'm sure I saw something a while back from someone taking the dashboard out but having searched everywhere I can think of and read several posts here on this Forum and on the T6 Forum, there are posts/Youtube videos for removing the lower dash and various other components and a video showing how to take the dash out on a T5 transporter, but nothing I have found explains how the dashboard on a T6 Ocean with Comfort dash and Climatronic is removed.

Hoping someone on the forum has had to do this before and is able to help.

 

[Perfectos]

I'm am sure someone found a way to replace broken actuator arms without extensive dash removal. I'll have a dig around the search feature and report back.

Have you tried the reset procedure ?

Climatronic Heating Flaps Calibration

Hi All, thought I'd add this short note of how to calibrate the climatronic heating flaps on the California SE T5, it may work on other models. Worth a try if you have heating or air distribution problems. Turn on the ignition, press and hold both the AC and Front Vent buttons until both lights...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Perfectos]

Just dropping relevant threads in here FYI

Check out the replacement actuator lever threads

Van heater (driving heater) issues

Hi, my van seems to have developed a problem with the driving heater, when the heater control is set at 22 deg, in the middle of the range at TDC, the van produces the temperature I would expect when it is warming up, however once the van is up to full temperature it starts to cool down to a...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Search results for query: Heater actuator

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Please report back to help others

 

[Blanco]

Much appreciated Perfectos. This is the view inside the dash with the instrument panel out - flap motor behind the wiring - when powered up with my hand on it I could feel the motor working, so it could be the arm has broken or the flaps are jammed - hard to tell with everything buried as it is behind wiring.
Not sure how feasible replacing any of these components is without taking much of the dashboard out or somehow shifting the wiring over without disconnecting probably umpteen plugs first. The two wiring looms in the picture are almost rigid so no way easily moved.

Edit tried reset, sounds of presumably flaps moving but no improvement.

 

[Perfectos]

Much appreciated Perfectos. This is the view inside the dash with the instrument panel out - flap motor behind the wiring - when powered up with my hand on it I could feel the motor working, so it could be the arm has broken or the flaps are jammed - hard to tell with everythingView attachment 152964 buried as it is behind wiring.
Not sure how feasible replacing any of these components is without taking much of the dashboard out or somehow shifting the wiring over without disconnecting probably umpteen plugs first. The two wiring looms in the picture are almost rigid so no way easily moved.

Edit tried reset, sounds of presumably flaps moving but no improvement.

Can you remove the top storage / speaker (which ever you have) to gain access.
Removing a dash is not a small job.

I assume others have managed to access and change the link without drastic surgery, suggest some more digging and possibly some messaging to those who have resolved the issues.

The fact that your motor works suggests the linkage may be the issue.

Did you try the reset ?

 

[sidepod]

Not van relevant but, I’ve changed a few of these on VWs. Always a massive PITA to access but always the same fault. The motor is fine but it’s the white plastic cogs inside that strip so the motor shaft just spins.
The point being, if you dive in hoping to fix it make sure you have a new actuator ready to fit. Don’t just expect to find a dislodged or broken link arm. Good luck.

 

[Blanco]

Helpful intel Sidepod, thank you.

I tried the Reset, more than once as it happens, but nothing improved which may of course be because the cogs are stripped and hence the flaps either aren't moving or they're now stuck in the wrong position.

I have after a fair bit of digging found the post I remembered. From this, taking the dashboard out shoudn't be necessary (wasn't looking forward to it one little bit) also from the photos it seems possible to lift the wiring loom out of the way and get to the screws on the motor. Feeling slightly more confident armed with this and Youtube vids about removing the lower dash panels and various others.

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/t6-caravelle-centre-vents-no-air.57301/#post-822137

Credit to the T6 guys for putting all this down in a post.

Interestingly, double checked today in case any other related faults cropped up recently, turned the ignition on although didn't start the engine and strangely Carista found no HVAC faults. I thought the relevant ECU would have retained any fault(s) cropping up, but seemingly not. I'll need to check again when we're next in the van and the engine's running.

 

[Blanco]

The reset I tried was the one using climatronic controls.

Apparently there is another reset method - disconnecting the engine battery for 15-30 mins depleates the memory in the control module for the flap motors so when the battery is reconnected the control module forces a recalibration. Not quite as simple as all that but a good video on Youtube explains the procedure and likely side-effects .. definitely worth a try.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLDLnoM-dEY

If this doesn't solve it, looks possible both the air distribution motor behind the instrument panel and the defroster flap motor behind the glove box have stopped working. 1 and 3 in the diagram. Ugh!