HELP! All four 12V sockets in rear not working

[AlisonF]

Due to back issues I haven’t camped in my Cali from March 2018 until September 2019. All was functioning well in March 2018. Last week I discovered that not one of the four 12V sockets in the read of the van are working. The 12V socket in the dash is working.
In the 18 months inbetween the van has been driven regularly, just not used as a camper.
In September 2018 I had a tow bar retrofitted, which as I didn’t have a tow bar prep kit and have reversing camera, was quite a job as this involves running electrics and reconfiguring the camera.
VW Dyce are unable to find a cause (it’s not fuses) and are quoting me £200+ VAT to strip it back to try and investigate. This despite the fact I still have 18 months on my extended warranty.
I know there are folk on here who understand the electrics better than VW at times, so am looking for advice as to what could be the cause so I can point them in the right direction.
Thanks in advance.

 

[WelshGas]

Due to back issues I haven’t camped in my Cali from March 2018 until September 2019. All was functioning well in March 2018. Last week I discovered that not one of the four 12V sockets in the read of the van are working. The 12V socket in the dash is working.
In the 18 months inbetween the van has been driven regularly, just not used as a camper.
In September 2018 I had a tow bar retrofitted, which as I didn’t have a tow bar prep kit and have reversing camera, was quite a job as this involves running electrics and reconfiguring the camera.
VW Dyce are unable to find a cause (it’s not fuses) and are quoting me £200+ VAT to strip it back to try and investigate. This despite the fact I still have 18 months on my extended warranty.
I know there are folk on here who understand the electrics better than VW at times, so am looking for advice as to what could be the cause so I can point them in the right direction.
Thanks in advance.

Who fitted the TowBar and electrics?
If it was the VW specific kit it would have been wired into the electrics/electronics under the L&R front seats and the Body Control Module under the Drivers Dashboard. The fuses for the rear sockets are normally under the Passenger seat. The fuses might be OK but did they check that the circuit was live? The electric feed might have been disconnected to fit the Towbar electrics.

 

[Loz]

Is your control panel working?
Are leisure batteries flat?
Do the sockets work if you plug in your hookup?
Do they work with the engine running?

 

[AlisonF]

Who fitted the TowBar and electrics?
If it was the VW specific kit it would have been wired into the electrics/electronics under the L&R front seats and the Body Control Module under the Drivers Dashboard. The fuses for the rear sockets are normally under the Passenger seat. The fuses might be OK but did they check that the circuit was live? The electric feed might have been disconnected to fit the Towbar electrics.

It was VW John Clark in Edinburgh that did the tow bar. I will ask them about whether it was live.

 

[AlisonF]

Is your control panel working?
Are leisure batteries flat?
Do the sockets work if you plug in your hookup?
Do they work with the engine running?

Control panel fine, leisure batteries fine (charged regularly even though I was not camping). I can check the other bits today. Thanks!

 

[MattBW]

Sounds like it could be as simple as a disconnected wire somewhere if the fuses are fine (always try changing them though as they can sometimes look fine but not be).

 

[AlisonF]

Control panel fine, leisure batteries fine (charged regularly even though I was not camping). I can check the other bits today. Thanks!

Sockets don’t work with engine running or not also not running with hook up or no hook up.

 

[AlisonF]

It was VW John Clark in Edinburgh that did the tow bar. I will ask them about whether it was live.

@WelshGas - sorry that should say Clark Commercials, the same chain as the one here in Dyce. Went to them to ensure was genuine VW parts and have it in writing from them that it wouldn’t affect my extended warranty...

 

[Wongo]

Disconnection somewhere methinks

 

[WelshGas]

Sockets don’t work with engine running or not also not running with hook up or no hook up.

I think something has happened to the electrical feed to the fuses which should come from the Leisure Battery circuit and that should be under the Front Passenger seat where all the electrical connections to the Leisure Battery are situated.

 

[WelshGas]

@WelshGas - sorry that should say Clark Commercials, the same chain as the one here in Dyce. Went to them to ensure was genuine VW parts and have it in writing from them that it wouldn’t affect my extended warranty...

There should be a Warranty attached to the Towbar fitment.

 

[Loz]

Looking at the wiring diagram, I suspect one of these red cables has been disconnected/damaged or removed and not reconnected to the leisure battery live terminal under the passenger seat.


It would be unusual for all the fuses to blow, so it must be the common feed for this block of fuses.

 

[AlisonF]

Looking at the wiring diagram, I suspect one of these red cables has been disconnected/damaged or removed and not reconnected to the leisure battery live terminal under the passenger seat.
View attachment 50471

It would be unusual for all the fuses to blow, so it must be the common feed for this block of fuses.

@Loz, I can’t see beyond the green / purple box in your pic as there is a hard rubber cover which I can’t pull aside to check. I guess it’ll need to go back to the garage for them to look at...

 

[MattBW]

If you are handy you can remove the bolts at the rear of the seat and loosen the front ones and lift the seat up to remove the rubber cover.

Surely a T6 van is still under warranty unless it was one of the very first ones?

 

[AlisonF]

@Loz, I can’t see beyond the green / purple box in your pic as there is a hard rubber cover which I can’t pull aside to check. I guess it’ll need to go back to the garage for them to look at...

If you are handy you can remove the bolts at the rear of the seat and loosen the front ones and lift the seat up to remove the rubber cover.

Surely a T6 van is still under warranty unless it was one of the very first ones?

it is one of the first ones but extended warranty so still 18 mths - they’re p

 

[Loz]

The circled terminal looks a bit black(but could be shadow) as if it has overheated due to the terminal being loose, but I also see the 2 additional yellow crimps that tells me that additional circuits have been added, so it is possible that one of the red wires has dropped down and is not connected.
To get a good look you need to unbolt the seat and tip it over (prop it up) and slide off the rubber cover.

 

[WelshGas]

it is one of the first ones but extended warranty so still 18 mths - they’re p

I think that's where the problem lies.
As has been said, 4 nuts/bolts 2x front, push seat back, 2x rear so slide forward and once all undone the seat can be tipped so that it rests against the dashboard. The Battery cover just lifts up then check the connections are all tight and that ALL red wires are connected. I suspect one of them was removed to connect the towbar electrics and not replaced.

 

[AlisonF]

I think that's where the problem lies.
As has been said, 4 nuts/bolts 2x front, push seat back, 2x rear so slide forward and once all undone the seat can be tipped so that it rests against the dashboard. The Battery cover just lifts up then check the connections are all tight and that ALL red wires are connected. I suspect one of them was removed to connect the towbar electrics and not replaced.

As it’s under warranty I’m not planning on doing it myself but taking it to VW Dyce to get them to fix it. Thanks for all the feedback. Seems to confirm what I was thinking.

 

[AlisonF]

Based on your helpful replies above, I asked VW Dyce what work has been done so far and what their next proposed steps would be... I’ve attached the reply below and would appreciate any comments. Thanks in advance.

Hi Alison,

So far, we have checked all fuses (14 of them) - which all power different 12v sockets. None of these are blown. We have then put the vehicle on ODIS (VW diagnostic computer) to check for any stored fault codes that may have been logged, again, no codes on the system. We then checked the power supply going to the main battery and leisure batteries - both of which are showing good readings and good power supply. So far 2 hours have been spent checking the van.

We now need to remove trims from the vehicle, strip the wiring down and investigate a possible wiring fault.

We have to treat any diagnostic job as retail until proven otherwise to cover our technicians time, hence why I have had to quote you £200 + VAT for any further diagnostic work on the vehicle.

 

[Loz]

hmmm wasted time doing a diagnostic that doesn't go anywhere near the leisure electrics!

Show them the photograph and politely suggest they simply remove the seat and the battery cover and check the leisure battery terminal distribution block and the all the spade connectors.

It's such a shame you're so far away from me as I would fix this for you in an hour for free!

 

[AlisonF]

hmmm wasted time doing a diagnostic that doesn't go anywhere near the leisure electrics!

Show them the photograph and politely suggest they simply remove the seat and the battery cover and check the leisure battery terminal distribution block and the all the spade connectors.

It's such a shame you're so far away from me as I would fix this for you in an hour for free!

I did send them an email based on your earlier suggestions asking them to check things like that... it seems I’m being treated like a middle aged, blond female driver... if only they knew what my qualifications are
Thanks for your support @Loz you’re giving me motivation to stand my ground

 

[WelshGas]

Based on your helpful replies above, I asked VW Dyce what work has been done so far and what their next proposed steps would be... I’ve attached the reply below and would appreciate any comments. Thanks in advance.

Hi Alison,

So far, we have checked all fuses (14 of them) - which all power different 12v sockets. None of these are blown. We have then put the vehicle on ODIS (VW diagnostic computer) to check for any stored fault codes that may have been logged, again, no codes on the system. We then checked the power supply going to the main battery and leisure batteries - both of which are showing good readings and good power supply. So far 2 hours have been spent checking the van.

We now need to remove trims from the vehicle, strip the wiring down and investigate a possible wiring fault.

We have to treat any diagnostic job as retail until proven otherwise to cover our technicians time, hence why I have had to quote you £200 + VAT for any further diagnostic work on the vehicle.

Numpties.

 

[AlisonF]

This is the reply this morning after sending Loz’s picture.
An additional item is they fitted the bike rack for me in 2017 and omitted the plastic strip underneath and I wanted them to check for damage and put strips in as they should be. They are now denying the fitted the roof rack (I bought a genuine T6 bike rack from SMG and got local dealer to fit it)

Hi Alison,

This has been checked already. I have spoken to my manager regarding your issues and the bike rack and he has sent me the following reply. I have copied Garry in on the email, so if you do have any queries then please don't hesitate to contact him.

1. 12 volt socket fault, we will investigate the root cause of the fault and then tell the customer what it requires. Ms Fitzgerald has a factory extended warranty which should cover most eventualities but as you know it does not cover, Rodent damage, fitment of non VW parts damaged caused by an external influence, such as a charging device that is demands more current from the system than it is designed for. Full details of the limits of supply through the 12 volt sockets are available in the owner’s manual. As always; If the root cause is not covered under the terms of the manufacturing defect warranty our standard diagnostic charge of £200 + VAT will apply.
2. I believe the customer has a concern regarding the fitment of her bicycle rack. I have looked closely at the service history of the vehicle I can see no charges in relation to a cycle carrier supply or for fitment. If the cycle carrier has been purchased from another source, and is a genuine VW accessory it will carry a limited 2 year warranty on the cycle carrier in relation to manufacturing defects of the rack itself. VW class this accessory as a customer fit part, and do not provide any warranty regarding paintwork issues caused by the fitment of the bike carrier. Regardless of the fitment of cushion pads below the clamps, the racks have been known to rub through to the paintwork. Unfortunately this is not something that is covered under the manufacturing defect warranty of the paint work or the bike rack/cycle carrier. This leaves the question of fitment of the accessory, which would be covered under a local workmanship guarantee for 12 months if payment was made. Again as I can see no charge or record raised regarding the fitment of the part, and as such I cannot comment on liability of repair costs. Full T&C’s available on our own website under section 20.

 

[MattBW]

Raise it direct with VW customer services and as a complaint, usually puts a rocket up their arse.

 

[AlisonF]

Raise it direct with VW customer services and as a complaint, usually puts a rocket up their arse.

That was my next step @MattBW