Control knob/button replacements

[ElectronicEquipmentRepair]

We now stock replacement parts for the rotary control knob to fix the following issues:

• Broken push button
• Broken plastic control knob
• Sensitive/jumpy control
• Can't scroll through menu

Please get in touch if you need any of these issues resolved.

Many thanks!
Ed

 

[Red wine lover]

Just want to say how great this company is! My control unit became poorly last week and with the help of a YouTube video I was able to take it out. Sent it to Ed who kept me in the loop at what was needed, unit was received back today and I've just replaced it in Callie. Everything works well including some information on it that I didn't know about.
So can definitely recommend Electronic Equipment Repair.

 

[ElectronicEquipmentRepair]

Thanks for the great feedback!

 

[ElectronicEquipmentRepair]

We've got replacement rotary controls now, after a bit of a shipping delay...





These controls eventually wear out and need replacement to avoid skipping up/down the menu when trying to press the button.

Please get in touch if you need this control fixed.

 

[ZampaVan]

I originally posted about my broken knob just before Xmas. I contacted Ed at EERepair and as I was back in Kent for a few days arranged to call in and see him at his Folkestone premises on Friday. Ed removed the panel which was fitted very tightly and 45 minutes later I had a new fascia and control knob ( supplied by me) and all works perfectly .
In essence the ratchet part of the knob had disintegrated…..
Total cost £65 which for the prompt and excellent service was money well spent and I now know where the roof lower screw is as recommended by Bangorlad!

 

[KGCali]

We've got replacement rotary controls now, after a bit of a shipping delay...

View attachment 88508

View attachment 88509

These controls eventually wear out and need replacement to avoid skipping up/down the menu when trying to press the button.

Please get in touch if you need this control fixed.

Do you sell just the replacement knob?

 

[Ozzy Pete]

This is how you can save yourself a fortune. If you bought your van from new use your control button like you would treat a new born kitten. The reason the control knob fails is because it’s used to aggressively. One click at a time and not spin.
Do everything V E R Y .. S L O W L Y.
Like everything in the California you need to slow down. Turning the seats, lowering the roof, opening and closing the doors on the cabinets, opening and closing the glass cooker and fridge lids.
Treat everything with care and respect and it will last many many years.

 

[ElectronicEquipmentRepair]

Do you sell just the replacement knob?

Hi, sorry we don't sell the replacement parts separately.

 

[KGCali]

Hi, sorry we don't sell the replacement parts separately.

No problem, I found I can get just the knob from Italy so got it sent to my friend over there as there are postage restrictions to the UK, shame @calikev can't supply them from the club shop ...
https://store.minitools.com/en/sep-knob01-knob-for-volkswagen-control-unit-camper.html

 

[ElectronicEquipmentRepair]

No problem, I found I can get just the knob from Italy so got it sent to my friend over there, shame @calikev can't supply them from the club shop ...
https://store.minitools.com/en/sep-knob01-knob-for-volkswagen-control-unit-camper.html

For some reason, we can only buy these pre-packed from VW including the whole bezel as well as the control knob.

 

[KGCali]

For some reason, we can only buy these pre-packed from VW including the whole bezel as well as the control knob.

Maybe try the above supplier?

 

[calikev]

No problem, I found I can get just the knob from Italy so got it sent to my friend over there as there are postage restrictions to the UK, shame @calikev can't supply them from the club shop ...
https://store.minitools.com/en/sep-knob01-knob-for-volkswagen-control-unit-camper.html

we did used to years ago but these 3d printed ones are very poor quality the last thing we wanted to do was keep replacing the same knob the colour also was wrong compared to the rest of the facia

 

[KGCali]

we did used to years ago but these 3d printed ones are very poor quality the last thing we wanted to do was keep replacing the same knob the colour also was wrong compared to the rest of the facia

Thanks Kev, this small white 3D insert in the video below for the original knob would be a much better fix but I can't find it anywhere now...

Spanish control knob 3D repair video, see 3D part around 4min 12sec into video.

 

[Californiaforholidays]

For some reason, we can only buy these pre-packed from VW including the whole bezel as well as the control knob.

I’ve just had Ed repair my faulty unit. Can’t recommend EER enough. Very professional service and great value compared to dealer. Hope more people use this business.

 

[calimera]

Our Cali control panel knob started slipping. Known fault.

Bought aVW California Central Control Panel Knob & Fascia Kit from the campervanBits.com. Quick delivery . Helpful video on how to remove .​

Husband removed the 2 ribbons. Took him half an hour to replace.

 

[BristolCali]

Do you sell just the replacement knob?

Hi, do you have a knob you could sell or any intel on where I can buy one please. Thanks, John

 

[KGCali]

Hi, do you have a knob you could sell or any intel on where I can buy one please. Thanks, John

If the original Control Panel knob is broken you have to buy a new front panel which comes with the knob for around £50 via Campervanbits or just the knob itself from Minitools Italy for £25 Inc postage.
An alternative is to buy a simple rotary knob that is 20mm diameter with a T18 6mm spline for around £3 from ebay, links below.
If your original knob is broken then just remove the control panel, open it up and remove the broken knob AND the clear plastic light surround, reassemble without the knob fitted and refit to your Cali then just push the new knob firmly onto the shaft. If it ever breaks again (unlikely) you can just gently pull the knob off and replace it without removing the control panel.


Cliff FC7225 KM20B Black Aluminium Clad Plastic Knob - Marker Dot 6mm Spine
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385027264203


Cliff FC7231 KMR20 Matt Black ALU Clad Knob With Marker Dot 18T 6mm Splines
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385565928906


Campervanbits https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153784411809


https://store.minitools.com/en/sep-knob01-knob-for-volkswagen-control-unit-camper.html

 

[Calimili]

If the original Control Panel knob is broken you have to buy a new front panel which comes with the knob for around £50 via Campervanbits or just the knob itself from Minitools Italy for £25 Inc postage.
An alternative is to buy a simple rotary knob that is 20mm diameter with a T18 6mm spline for around £3 from ebay, links below.
If your original knob is broken then just remove the control panel, open it up and remove the broken knob AND the clear plastic light surround, reassemble without the knob fitted and refit to your Cali then just push the new knob firmly onto the shaft. If it ever breaks again (unlikely) you can just gently pull the knob off and replace it without removing the control panel.


Cliff FC7225 KM20B Black Aluminium Clad Plastic Knob - Marker Dot 6mm Spine
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385027264203


Cliff FC7231 KMR20 Matt Black ALU Clad Knob With Marker Dot 18T 6mm Splines
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385565928906


Campervanbits https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153784411809


https://store.minitools.com/en/sep-knob01-knob-for-volkswagen-control-unit-camper.html

View attachment 110478

so I assume you can just press the knob to select ? Just one knob that rotates and can be pressed, as opposed o the original knob with internal button to keep the rotate and push function separately ?

 

[KGCali]

so I assume you can just press the knob to select ? Just one knob that rotates and can be pressed, as opposed o the original knob with internal button to keep the rotate and push function separately ?

The both knobs are just plastic that fit to the shaft that can rotate and push. The inner clear plastic part of the original knob just carries light to the knob to illuminate it, this is removed if fitting the ebay knob.

 

[BristolCali]

If the original Control Panel knob is broken you have to buy a new front panel which comes with the knob for around £50 via Campervanbits or just the knob itself from Minitools Italy for £25 Inc postage.
An alternative is to buy a simple rotary knob that is 20mm diameter with a T18 6mm spline for around £3 from ebay, links below.
If your original knob is broken then just remove the control panel, open it up and remove the broken knob AND the clear plastic light surround, reassemble without the knob fitted and refit to your Cali then just push the new knob firmly onto the shaft. If it ever breaks again (unlikely) you can just gently pull the knob off and replace it without removing the control panel.


Cliff FC7225 KM20B Black Aluminium Clad Plastic Knob - Marker Dot 6mm Spine
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385027264203


Cliff FC7231 KMR20 Matt Black ALU Clad Knob With Marker Dot 18T 6mm Splines
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385565928906


Campervanbits https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153784411809


https://store.minitools.com/en/sep-knob01-knob-for-volkswagen-control-unit-camper.html

View attachment 110478

Thanks so much for the detail @KGCali it’s much appreciated.

I should have described the failure. Increasingly when you rotate the knob it doesn’t change the display. You have to rotate it carefully or in the opposite direction to register a menu movement.

It seems you are describing two different failure modes. One being a simple failure of the plastic knob and how it connects to the steel knob which is part of the front panel. The other being a failure of the steel knob component which is part of the front panel PCB.

Am I right in thinking if I remove the whole unit and extract the plastic knob and light surround then reinstall I can test the control panel and identify if it’s just the plastic knob I need?

 

[Calimili]

Thanks so much for the detail @KGCali it’s much appreciated.

I should have described the failure. Increasingly when you rotate the knob it doesn’t change the display. You have to rotate it carefully or in the opposite direction to register a menu movement.

It seems you are describing two different failure modes. One being a simple failure of the plastic knob and how it connects to the steel knob which is part of the front panel. The other being a failure of the steel knob component which is part of the front panel PCB.

Am I right in thinking if I remove the whole unit and extract the plastic knob and light surround then reinstall I can test the control panel and identify if it’s just the plastic knob I need?

I have exactly the same issue you are describing. But i think the problem is that the knob is partially broken where it connects to the steel knob, therefore sometimes it works sometime it doesn't..
i am just scared it does stop working completely when I need to close the roof and need vacating my pitch..

 

[KGCali]

Thanks so much for the detail @KGCali it’s much appreciated.

I should have described the failure. Increasingly when you rotate the knob it doesn’t change the display. You have to rotate it carefully or in the opposite direction to register a menu movement.

It seems you are describing two different failure modes. One being a simple failure of the plastic knob and how it connects to the steel knob which is part of the front panel. The other being a failure of the steel knob component which is part of the front panel PCB.

Am I right in thinking if I remove the whole unit and extract the plastic knob and light surround then reinstall I can test the control panel and identify if it’s just the plastic knob I need?

The most common fault that causes the poor rotation function is the button breaking due to poor design, the small internal tabs break which give a loose connection to the shaft and cause the error ksee pic below). It's possible the internal steel potentiometer is faulty but a fairly rare occurrence. I would buy an eBay knob then take out the control panel to see what you find, if it's the knob at least you can replace it

Look at the videos for replacing the knob and if you're careful you can do it without removing the delicate ribbon cables, just a little patience needed, good luck.

You can test the control panel outside the Cali by applying 12v and ground to the rear connector as shown in picture below...

 

[CityCali]

I noticed the knob on our control panel was starting to go, so when the van was in for it's recent service/MOT I asked for a quote to fix it. Didn't want to get stuck somewhere and not be able to put the roof down.

Quote was £1,373

Let's say that was a bit more than I was expecting.

I ordered a replacement knob from CampervanBits for £10 figuring it was worth having a go at replacing it myself. By no means an expert at tasks like this, I found the various youtube demos and instructions very helpful indeed. Thanks to all have contributed to these in the past. (small note, I found the circuit board screws required a T6 Torx screwdriver rather than a T5 size)

I have just put the panel back in the van and it all seems to work fine. The knob is a different colour, but looks good and seems to be more robust than the original.

I gave myself a scare when I first plugged it back it - loads of error codes flashed up that I couldn't clear. Then I realised I hadn't pushed the big connector back in properly. Once I pushed in firmly all was fine.

All in all, a rather straightforward job. Certainly do give it a go if you are in similar circumstances.