VW California Central Control Panel button- intermittently not engaging with menu

Mo Howard · Mar 23, 2017

We have recently purchased a 2013 SE and are delighted with it.
However it would appear that the control panel button is sometimes not engaging- bit of an issue fiddling to get the roof down last week.
The display etc is fine just the control button on the right hand side!
Any ideas?

calikev · Mar 23, 2017

Fit a new button

Mo Howard · Mar 23, 2017

Any ideas how this is done? Tried to download the instructions on this site but no luck.
Was wondering if anyone has fitted a new one themselves?

2into1 · Mar 23, 2017

Mo Howard said:
Any ideas how this is done? Tried to download the instructions on this site but no luck.
Was wondering if anyone has fitted a new one themselves?

You'll need to be a vip member I think to use the downloads.

Mo Howard · Mar 23, 2017

Thanks very much. Better pay my money then!

calikev · Mar 23, 2017

If you order one you get fitting instructions

WelshGas · Mar 23, 2017

Mo Howard said:
Any ideas how this is done? Tried to download the instructions on this site but no luck.
Was wondering if anyone has fitted a new one themselves?

I haven't had to personally fit one but many have with good results. Cheaper than a new Control Panel at £700 +.

New Control button here.- https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/product/central-control-panel-replacement-knob

And you get a VIP discount.

ianp · Apr 7, 2017

Had the same problem shortly after getting ours. Bought a new control button and became a VIP member to get the instructions download. A simple job that took no more than 20 minutes and as others have said, saved £700+.....

GrannyJen · Apr 7, 2017

All you clever people :sad

If I attempted to fit a new button then I would definitely need a new control panel... probably in a new California :shocked

stewmac · Aug 24, 2017

I have a 2009 California and I am attempting to replace the control panel knob which I have bought from the forum shop. The new knob is of single piece construction while the existing is composed of 2 pieces - internal to press and external to rotate the dial. Will the single piece knob work.

The instructions contained in the downloaded video imply that there is just a single lead to the control panel. Mine has the same large lead and 2 smaller ones which are very difficult to remove. Has anyone any experience of replacing the knob on this version of the control panel?

aileen · Apr 17, 2018

Hi Aileenonroad here. Travelling in Portugal i. my T5 Cali Brandy. The know in the central control panel is loose and it’s done difficult to get it to the next programme. I’m of course worried that I won’t be able to turn on frig , lower roof etc. I wish we also had a remember the control as we do for the heating. I would gladly order a knob but won’t be home to get it for three months. Does anyone know where I can buy one and get it fitted in Portugal. Reading about very expensive for nstallations vs DIY makes me wish that I could manage it myself but afraid I’d just make a mess of it. I’m on the road already e as usual. Appreciate any advice

WelshGas · Apr 17, 2018

aileen said:
Hi Aileenonroad here. Travelling in Portugal i. my T5 Cali Brandy. The know in the central control panel is loose and it’s done difficult to get it to the next programme. I’m of course worried that I won’t be able to turn on frig , lower roof etc. I wish we also had a remember the control as we do for the heating. I would gladly order a knob but won’t be home to get it for three months. Does anyone know where I can buy one and get it fitted in Portugal. Reading about very expensive for nstallations vs DIY makes me wish that I could manage it myself but afraid I’d just make a mess of it. I’m on the road already e as usual. Appreciate any advice

This might be useful.
The Forum Map shows a number of members in Portugal

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/usermap

I don’t know how current it is but if you click on the Red icons it will list the members in that location. You could hopefully contact one and have the Part delivered to him and he might know someone who could fit it using the instructions in the Download Section.

Or you could get someone to just take the Knob off and use some pliers.

aileen · Apr 18, 2018

WelshGas said:
This might be useful.
The Forum Map shows a number of members in Portugal

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/usermap
View attachment 32177

I don’t know how current it is but if you click on the Red icons it will list the members in that location. You could hopefully contact one and have the Part delivered to him and he might know someone who could fit it using the instructions in the Download Section.

Or you could get someone to just take the Knob off and use some pliers.

Thank you so very much for replying Welsh Gas. How thoughtful of you. I have tried clicking on the red icons but none of them have opened. Perhaps the WiFi isn’t strong enough. I’m sorry there’s so many errors in my post, it must have been auto corrected
I’m relieved that you think that the knob can be tightened. I was afraid that maybe a whole new control panel could be needed. I’ll keep trying to open those member names and have a knob delivered if tightening doesn’t work. One would think that VW should stock those knobs since it seems that this fault often occurs

reserves · Apr 18, 2018

Pretty sure that if you remove the knob, and get the right size screwdriver, you can operate it like this until you get a replacement arranged.

aileen · Apr 18, 2018

Thank you. Good to know but there’s no screws in the panel so how can I remove the knob? Two men that looked at it didn’t know

reserves · Apr 18, 2018

aileen said:
Thank you. Good to know but there’s no screws in the panel so how can I remove the knob? Two men that looked at it didn’t know

Instructions here https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/fitting-a-replacement-control-panel-knob.41/

westfalia · Apr 18, 2018

Could you not get a new knob delivered to a campsite ?

westfalia · Apr 18, 2018

aileen said:
I have tried clicking on the red icons but none of them have opened. Perhaps the WiFi isn’t strong enough.

You have to open up the user map and then you can click away.

WelshGas · Apr 18, 2018

aileen said:
Thank you. Good to know but there’s no screws in the panel so how can I remove the knob? Two men that looked at it didn’t know

Just checking. You’re not clicking on the Red Icons on the picture in my post are you? That won’t work I’m afraid.
Use the link, in blue, just above the picture to go to the Forum Interactive map .

I hope I’m not teaching an IT Guru. If you are using the correct link then it could just be a poor internet link.

VW California Central Control Panel button- intermittently not engaging with menu

Mo Howard

calikev

Administrator

Mo Howard

2into1

Née T4WFA. Now running 2006 LHD T5 SE 130 Manual

Mo Howard

calikev

Administrator

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

ianp

GrannyJen

stewmac

aileen

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

aileen

reserves

aileen

reserves

westfalia

westfalia

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

Similar threads

Useful links

VW California Club

About us

Our Partners

Our Partners