Can't start my Cali

[Paul Merone 62]

Hi. I am just about to set off on a 4 day trip and my Cali won't start. Zero response when I turn the ignition. I don't think it's a battery problem as it started ok yesterday. Also I popped the roof earlier today to give it an airing. The roof is currently stuck in the up position.
I'm very new to this vehicle. I'm thinking maybe a blown fuse. Can anybody please help me

 

[Drpps]

Does the dash light up?
Any relay clicking when you turn the key?
Did you leave the keys in the ignition after popping the roof?
What year of Cali?

 

[Meoncoast]

Have you breakdown such as VW assist. As a starting point they are only a phone call away

 

[flying banana]

you need ignition on to lower the roof. as said did you leave this on when you upped the roof ? this would have left the drls on and maybe the radio and flattened it. don't you have one of those booster starters ? a neighbour with jump leads ? any lights on at all ? do the drls light up with ignition on ?

 

[Hawthorn37]

You say your roof is stuck ‘up’. Assuming you’ve got the ignition key in and switched ‘on’ (without necessarily starting the van), this suggests you’ve got no juice left in the leisure batteries. When moving the roof up and down there is a big draw on the leisure batteries (30 - 40 Amps I believe). Normally, when we open/close the roof, and we’re not on a site hook up, we run the engine to lessen the impact.

That doesn’t explain why the engines not starting though. The only deduction I could make is that the alternator is not charging the starter battery, and as such, it won’t also charge the leisure batteries. The most common fault here is that the cube fuse on the positive terminal on the starter battery has blown. Try searching ‘cube fuse’ on the forum more info.

 

[Drpps]

You say your roof is stuck ‘up’. Assuming you’ve got the ignition key in and switched ‘on’ (without necessarily starting the van), this suggests you’ve got no juice left in the leisure batteries. When moving the roof up and down there is a big draw on the leisure batteries (30 - 40 Amps I believe). Normally, when we open/close the roof, and we’re not on a site hook up, we run the engine to lessen the impact.

That doesn’t explain why the engines not starting though. The only deduction I could make is that the alternator is not charging the starter battery, and as such, it won’t also charge the leisure batteries. The most common fault here is that the cube fuse on the positive terminal on the starter battery has blown. Try searching ‘cube fuse’ on the forum more info.

My understanding is the roof runs on the engine battery. That combined with potentially leaving the keys in the ignition after you have turned the key to 'on' after raising the roof, will leave the DRL's on and flatten the engine battery.
If it is dark and the headlight switch is on 'auto' then the sidelights stay on until the key is removed from the ignition altogether.

 

[WelshGas]

My understanding is the roof runs on the engine battery. That combined with potentially leaving the keys in the ignition after you have turned the key to 'on' after raising the roof, will leave the DRL's on and flatten the engine battery.
If it is dark and the headlight switch is on 'auto' then the sidelights stay on until the key is removed from the ignition altogether.

Incorrect. The Leisure Batteries power the roof hydraulic pump. Ignition On is a safety feature to ensure that the person operating the roof has the Ignition keys, rather than a 5yr old playing with the Control Panel.

If the Ignition was left On, after roof opening, thus flattening the engine battery then there may not be sufficient Ignition Power to allow activation of the roof system.

 

[Drpps]

@Paul Merone 62 any update?

 

[Hawthorn37]

My understanding is the roof runs on the engine battery. That combined with potentially leaving the keys in the ignition after you have turned the key to 'on' after raising the roof, will leave the DRL's on and flatten the engine battery.
If it is dark and the headlight switch is on 'auto' then the sidelights stay on until the key is removed from the ignition altogether.

Nope, the roof pump is definitely from the leisure batteries.

Having the keys in may, as you say, add to the list of items to discharge the starter battery, like the exterior lights, infotainment, vent fan. And having the side door open (as you do when playing!) will help drain the leisure batteries with accom. lights (anything behind the front seats basically).

 

[BikerGran]

Doesn't this engine battery/leisure battery depend on the age of the Cali? Mine's 2005 and I've always understood the roof runs off the engine battery.

 

[WelshGas]

Doesn't this engine battery/leisure battery depend on the age of the Cali? Mine's 2005 and I've always understood the roof runs off the engine battery.

No. If you check the Leisure Battery voltage while raising the roof you'll see the voltage drop as the pump activates. No such change on the engine battery voltage.

 

[Meoncoast]

No feedback guess phone battery now flat!

 

[kurienp]

No feedback guess phone battery now flat!

or the van started and now enjoying the trip and should be returning today (4-day trip) and updating us all.

 

[alexwhill]

Anyone still waiting to see how it got resolved?

 

[Californication69]

Anyone still waiting to see how it got resolved?

Maybe drove near Skinwalker ranch and got sucked off into a portal ?

 

[WelshGas]

Maybe drove near Skinwalker ranch and got sucked off into a portal ?

Was on the Forum at 1.30 pm yesterday.

@Paul Merone 62 How was the problem resolved?

 

[Paul Merone 62]

Apologies to all. I have just realised that I did not give responses to the advice nor report the outcome. Very remiss of me. I put it down to the stress of the situation followed by the relief when it was sorted.

I called the RAC. They said flat battery probably caused by leaving the key in the ignition and the dash board lights on. They got me started and problem solved.

Thanks again to all who responded to my call for help