Central control display and fresh water pump failure

[MattiasR]

Hi
This is my first post here. Sorry that it had to a ”request help” type.
Just bought our first cali (T6.1) and this is the problem: It began when I filled the fresh water tank up to clean it. The water hose in the kitchen didn’t turn on the pump. A click can be heard from the switch, so I guess that’s working. After the click a tiny whining can be heard for about 2 seconds. But no water. I checked the shower to see if I could activate the pump that way. But it doesn’t activate. Then I checked all 5 amp fuses under the left seat, but those are ok too. When looking at the central display it indicated a fault at the water tank, to the left. For a short while it said something like ”… an issue with the water tank”.
The next day I checked the central display again and this time its totally black. I was hoping that I could just locate the right fuses to fix the problem, but now I’m not sure what the cause is.
Thanks in advance

 

[MattiasR]

I’ve checked all fuses I can find with a multimeter, all are ok.
Can I do anything more about the central control panel? Maybe there’s an another fuse somewhere that I haven’t checked?
I haven’t tried the “sucking” method to force water to enter the water pump yet, but I’ll do that this afternoon. Is there anything else I could try before I let vw do the repairs?
I would be very greatfull for any advice - thanks again.
It’s a 2020 T6.1 California Ocean 4-motion

 

[Stu@rt]

I have had this before a few times after draining and cleaning. In my case, it was just a small air lock. I can't recall the exact wording of the msg on the overhead display. But is suggests that the pump has been protected from running dry with no water. "Pump protection" something or other. I simply "ok"ed the msg on the panel, removed the external filler cap and blew up the tap. Hope that helps and saves VW labour charges.

 

[Stu@rt]

T 6.1 Ocean control panel reset

As we haven't been able to use the van since we got it in March, we thought that we would have a "night away" on the drive last night. The roof has been fine until now and raised ok yesterday. Today, I can't get it to respond when I need to lower it. The display on the new style control panel...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

This link ^^^ chats about which fuses to pull in order to reset the control unit (But not because it is completely blank though) But might be worth checking the 4 or 5 fuses mentioned in the chat ??

 

[MattiasR]

Thanks for the advice @Stu@rt I will refill the tank later today and try the sucking method to help getting water into the pump.

 

[MattiasR]

T 6.1 Ocean control panel reset

As we haven't been able to use the van since we got it in March, we thought that we would have a "night away" on the drive last night. The roof has been fine until now and raised ok yesterday. Today, I can't get it to respond when I need to lower it. The display on the new style control panel...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

This link ^^^ chats about which fuses to pull in order to reset the control unit (But not because it is completely blank though) But might be worth checking the 4 or 5 fuses mentioned in the chat ??

I have checked those fuses with a multimeter, but I haven’t removed them. I’ll try that and hope that it will reset the control panel. Thanks again!

 

[MattiasR]

Update:
None of the above worked, so now I have to get it to vw for repairs. Hopefully it’s not overly expensive

 

[Stu@rt]

Thats a shame. Let us all know what the fix was and hopefully its not too expensive

 

[The Broomwagon]

Have you checked whether the pump has become dislodged in the tank and there is no disconnected tube floating about? This happened to ours and other than the challenge of opening the tank, it was an easy fix.

Try this:

Water tap

Tap Issue Hi I have a lovely 67 reg Cali Ocean that I have had for 1 1/2 years The water pump for the sink sounds like it is working, but the water isn’t pumped to the sink. Instead seems to be pumped back into the water tank Any ideas? Thanks

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[MattiasR]

We have fixed the problems now. Vw had to install a new water pump because the old one was broke due to frost. I will drain it better than the previous owners before winter comes. The central display lacked a fuse. That’s a strange one. Maybe it got replaced in the wrong socket when I checked all the fuses, or the garage did it somehow.
Anyway all is fixed now and we made our premier short tour. Some small issues occurred, stuck back seat. I wonder what type of lubricant can be used so the backseat moves more easily?

 

[WelshGas]

We have fixed the problems now. Vw had to install a new water pump because the old one was broke due to frost. I will drain it better than the previous owners before winter comes. The central display lacked a fuse. That’s a strange one. Maybe it got replaced in the wrong socket when I checked all the fuses, or the garage did it somehow.
Anyway all is fixed now and we made our premier short tour. Some small issues occurred, stuck back seat. I wonder what type of lubricant can be used so the backseat moves more easily?

I would advise against lubricating the runners on the back seat.
How are you moving it?

 

[Almost bought a california]

We have fixed the problems now. Vw had to install a new water pump because the old one was broke due to frost. I will drain it better than the previous owners before winter comes. The central display lacked a fuse. That’s a strange one. Maybe it got replaced in the wrong socket when I checked all the fuses, or the garage did it somehow.
Anyway all is fixed now and we made our premier short tour. Some small issues occurred, stuck back seat. I wonder what type of lubricant can be used so the backseat moves more easily?

I think frost damage was probably hog wash - The pump recently became intermittent on my 2021 Ocean and stopped with the central display reporting a pump problem or empty tank. A quick probe on the pump supply plug when opening the tap showed 12v so I purchased a new pump from eBay (a big thank you to cooky73 for the eBay tip)

The part numbers are identical and almost half the price + £24. The old unit would work intermittently drawing about 0.3A (pumping water) - I checked the new pump, mainly to check the polarity before installing (the wire colours are the same as the original pump)
All replaced and working I gave myself a pat on the back, I have an extended warranty but it was a very straight forward job and didn't warrant the time and hassle of multiple trips to the garage.
The pump is sealed, well glued, and so no chance of fixing it but I thought I'd take a look....



Well that would do it - a completely bog standard 12v brushed motor running in your drinking water with no seals to be seen! Next time it fails, and I'm sure there will be a next time, I might investigate alternative offerings.
For what it's worth I add 1/2 the recommended dose of Aqua Midi water purifying tablets as we use the water for cooking, tea and brushing teeth, etc - this would equate to 0.017g/l of sodium dichloroisocyanurate in the fresh water which releases free chlorine to sterilise the water which potentially accelerates the failure however judging from all the water pump posts I doubt it contributes that much but if anyone knows of a better alternative I might give it a go?

 

[MattiasR]

I would advise against lubricating the runners on the back seat.
How are you moving it?

I’m lifting the handle and pressing back with my feet, while sitting on it. Maybe there’s a better way? I can see that the whole structure is kinda lifting it’s self while pressing backwards. Maybe that’s not optimal?

 

[WelshGas]

I’m lifting the handle and pressing back with my feet, while sitting on it. Maybe there’s a better way? I can see that the whole structure is kinda lifting it’s self while pressing backwards. Maybe that’s not optimal?

Personally I found sitting properly on the centre of the seat, touching the backrest, and walking my feet backwards while pulling the leaver firmly up worked and the seat moved easily.