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Rotary knob unresponsive in France

Abyssinian

Abyssinian

Messages
9
Hi,
My rotary knob on the control panel is completely unresponsive (meaning I'm unable to raise the roof) which is a massive blow as I'm in France right now on holiday.
Is there a way that I can remove the knob or maybe cut the top of the knob off, so that I can access the spindle inside and turn it with pliers or a screwdriver?
The rotary knob has been running slow for months now, but I never expected it to just stop working.
Thanks
 
Join as VIP. Download. You will need a small torx drive to do the job. Quick once you have one. I managed with a small flat blade once. Borrowed from campsite owner.


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Hint - once old one is removed reassemble as you don't need one to operate it. You can buy a replacement from the shop for delivery on your return.


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Aha... you fixed it yourself, in the field, in the face of all adversity, with shabby tools, the forum VIP download guide and a bit of dutch courage from me? Nice one!
 
Hi - just been reading about the problems with the rotary knob. Mine is starting to play up. Have been unable to put my fridge up to above a 3 until tonight and have to try several attempts to get onto open and close when required for the pop up roof.
I took into local dealership - they quoted me ÂŁ900 for the panel and another ÂŁ300 labour - stated that it would take 3 hours to replace the new panel!
As it is still sort of working, and am pretty sure that it is the knob, was reluctant to part with so much money.
Have ordered a replacement knob. Am tempted now to see what happens and take repair kit with me.
We are leaving end of next week for North Wales and Ireland. Should I just chance it?
I will order a "torx drive set" - not knowing what one is, will do some research.
Would value advice.
 
Hi - just been reading about the problems with the rotary knob. Mine is starting to play up. Have been unable to put my fridge up to above a 3 until tonight and have to try several attempts to get onto open and close when required for the pop up roof.
I took into local dealership - they quoted me ÂŁ900 for the panel and another ÂŁ300 labour - stated that it would take 3 hours to replace the new panel!
As it is still sort of working, and am pretty sure that it is the knob, was reluctant to part with so much money.
Have ordered a replacement knob. Am tempted now to see what happens and take repair kit with me.
We are leaving end of next week for North Wales and Ireland. Should I just chance it?
I will order a "torx drive set" - not knowing what one is, will do some research.
Would value advice.
I personally would chance it. At least you're on home turf.
Which Van Centre was that? The one beginning with S in Cardiff?
Would take less than 30 minutes to change over Control Panel units, and I don't think a new Control Panel costs ÂŁ900, expensive but not that much.
 
If knob doesn't fix it try this company i have used them to repair my panel. They take about 2 weeks turnround not much use at the moment for you but for future ref.
Verotronics bv
Kruburg 19
5632 PG Eindhoven
NETHERLANDS
 
I personally would chance it. At least you're on home turf.
Which Van Centre was that? The one beginning with S in Cardiff?
Would take less than 30 minutes to change over Control Panel units, and I don't think a new Control Panel costs ÂŁ900, expensive but not that much.
Thank you Welsh Gas. Yes re dealership. I did source one for ÂŁ725 independently.
Does anyone know of someone independent in South Wales or the South West that has a special interest in VW Californias for future reference?
If knob doesn't fix it try this company i have used them to repair my panel. They take about 2 weeks turnround not much use at the moment for you but for future ref.
Verotronics bv
Kruburg 19
5632 PG Eindhoven
NETHERLANDS
Thanks for that - I had picked this up from a previous thread and sounds worth looking into in the future.
 
Thank you Welsh Gas. Yes re dealership. I did source one for ÂŁ725 independently.
Does anyone know of someone independent in South Wales or the South West that has a special interest in VW Californias for future reference?

Thanks for that - I had picked this up from a previous thread and sounds worth looking into in the future.
I go to South Hereford VW. It is a combined car/commercial Dealership. The showroom has both cars and California in same showroom. The vans were outside.
They knew the vehicle and I've been happy with their service.
As far as Independants, sorry I have no recommendations.
 
Don't be scared of Torx @AnnP , it's just a slightly fancier Allen key!
 
Hi - just been reading about the problems with the rotary knob. Mine is starting to play up. Have been unable to put my fridge up to above a 3 until tonight and have to try several attempts to get onto open and close when required for the pop up roof.
I took into local dealership - they quoted me ÂŁ900 for the panel and another ÂŁ300 labour - stated that it would take 3 hours to replace the new panel!
As it is still sort of working, and am pretty sure that it is the knob, was reluctant to part with so much money.
Have ordered a replacement knob. Am tempted now to see what happens and take repair kit with me.
We are leaving end of next week for North Wales and Ireland. Should I just chance it?
I will order a "torx drive set" - not knowing what one is, will do some research.
Would value advice.

Check me out - the rotary knob guy....

When you say it is playing up do you mean as you turn it you are no longer getting solid clicks that correspond to changes on the panel menus? It's a bit hit and miss, feels a bit loose, like the splines in the metal shaft no longer engage with the slots in the plastic knob?

If that's not the case I can't help, but if it is bite the bullet, join as VIP, download the instructions, order a replacement knob from the club shop and do the job before you go. What happens if you are away from home with the roof stuck up? The instructions are good. You need to be patient and diligent. Just take your time and have some confidence in yourself. Read the instructions thoroughly, make note of the bits that could go wrong, slip the unit out and fix it. First time around took me about an hour. Second time 20 minutes. Third time about 10 minutes.

Torx are a type of screw head requiring torx drivers and you can buy the latter for a few quid online.

Tip - once fixed keep the tools in the van. Mine worked for a while but the centre 'push to select' stopped working. I have no idea why. The roof was up. I was stuck. I was by the Norfolk Broads but had the confidence to strip it out, reposition the replacement knob and reassemble.

Worked for a while then same thing happened again, this time on way to France. I stripped it in a motorway services and this time left the button on the glove box. We broke a set of tweezers in two and keep one in each front door pocket. They fit the slot on the shaft allowing us to rotate and push to select.

Not the most elegant but nothing to fail now. I am tempted to file the edges off my replacement button so it can be fitted and removed without stripping the unit. Not done that yet though. Or maybe I should ask to return mine for a replacement with the club shop. Hopefully you will get a better result.

If it's the rotate to select issue don't wait till it breaks and you are stuck with an elevated roof and no easy way of carrying on or getting home. Don't hand your wallet to VW. Have a go at fixing it yourself before it breaks entirely (it will). A few of us here have managed just fine.

Hope that helps.
 
Check me out - the rotary knob guy....

When you say it is playing up do you mean as you turn it you are no longer getting solid clicks that correspond to changes on the panel menus? It's a bit hit and miss, feels a bit loose, like the splines in the metal shaft no longer engage with the slots in the plastic knob?

If that's not the case I can't help, but if it is bite the bullet, join as VIP, download the instructions, order a replacement knob from the club shop and do the job before you go. What happens if you are away from home with the roof stuck up? The instructions are good. You need to be patient and diligent. Just take your time and have some confidence in yourself. Read the instructions thoroughly, make note of the bits that could go wrong, slip the unit out and fix it. First time around took me about an hour. Second time 20 minutes. Third time about 10 minutes.

Torx are a type of screw head requiring torx drivers and you can buy the latter for a few quid online.

Tip - once fixed keep the tools in the van. Mine worked for a while but the centre 'push to select' stopped working. I have no idea why. The roof was up. I was stuck. I was by the Norfolk Broads but had the confidence to strip it out, reposition the replacement knob and reassemble.

Worked for a while then same thing happened again, this time on way to France. I stripped it in a motorway services and this time left the button on the glove box. We broke a set of tweezers in two and keep one in each front door pocket. They fit the slot on the shaft allowing us to rotate and push to select.

Not the most elegant but nothing to fail now. I am tempted to file the edges off my replacement button so it can be fitted and removed without stripping the unit. Not done that yet though. Or maybe I should ask to return mine for a replacement with the club shop. Hopefully you will get a better result.

If it's the rotate to select issue don't wait till it breaks and you are stuck with an elevated roof and no easy way of carrying on or getting home. Don't hand your wallet to VW. Have a go at fixing it yourself before it breaks entirely (it will). A few of us here have managed just fine.

Hope that helps.
 
Thank you - that's fab. That is exactly what is happening - you turn the knob and it's hit and miss whether you can select next one on the menu, - sometimes have to have several turn of the dials. It doesn't appear to be connecting with what is underneath.
Have ordered knob already - arrives on Monday. Will then review instructions and maybe bite the bullet when I have time to see what am doing as opposed to as you say trying to get the roof down and a ferry to catch!
 
Halfords sell a set of small Torx drivers. One of these fits the screws on the control panel.

Alan
 
Do I really need to comment on unresponsive knobs? :shocked

This is a family site:sad
 
Do I really need to comment on unresponsive knobs? :shocked

This is a family site:sad
I've been priding myself on ignoring the temptation and there you go and step right in .........


Mike
 
Ann P,
A little late in the game but thought I'd throw in some experiences. The first time the control unit went bad on my Westy, I was on the road in Holland and had to manually lower the roof. Then took the van to Ameersfort near Amsterdam to the VW California dealer who repaired it for a total of about 750 euro. Expensive but needed the fix as I still had more travels to do. The second time the unit broke (horizontal lines making it unreadable) I sent it to Verotronics (mentioned above). I paid approx 120 euro plus shipping, it was repaired in two weeks and works great, highly recommend them. Good luck!
 
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