Control panel removal

[Sasillick]

I've read that you have to connect the small plugs back first when you install a new control unit - but is there any order in which you need to remove them in the first place??

 

[Richard Teale]

I've read that you have to connect the small plugs back first when you install a new control unit - but is there any order in which you need to remove them in the first place??

Without any such guidance to fall back on I have recently replaced the control panel in my 2011 Cali SE and I connected the largest of the three connectors first. Whether I was lucky not to damage it, lucky I guessed right or it really doesn't matter I will leave to others to judge, but the replacement unit works just fine.

 

[JohnEast]

I have just had my display repaired by Verotronics bv (from Eindhoven) at a cost of 133euros (plus postage to them). Completely satisfied with the repair, although it's only been reinstalled for a couple of days so I can't comment on the long term reliability.
My California is a 2009 T5.

THIS IS MY GRIPE, concerning the removal of the panel -
Removing the central control panel was a struggle because the VW handbook didn't mention the 2 clips on the top side of the unit, it only mentioned those on the sides. I found out about these extra clips via this club, fortunately I had the time to track down the information; if I were trying to manually close the pop-up roof whilst away from home then I would have been "tearing my hair out".
The 2 top clips are shown on my first picture and the 2 side clips are on the second picture.
Before I found out about the 2 clips on the top I was using a lot of force, thinking the panel was wedged in the opening; after I released the side clips the panel came out smoothly.

 

[JohnEast]

I should have proof read my report before sending, I said that after I released the side clips the panel came out smoothly but I meant to say that it was after releasing the top clips that it came out smoothly.

 

[nickandemma]

Hi, how did you release the top clips please - we are having trouble. Thanks, Emma.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi, how did you release the top clips please - we are having trouble. Thanks, Emma.

Any use.

 

[nickandemma]

Any use.

No use as he doesn't show how to push the top catches down. It's so frustrating!

 

[Mike Frost]

I should have proof read my report before sending, I said that after I released the side clips the panel came out smoothly but I meant to say that it was after releasing the top clips that it came out smoothly.

Johneast Just watched the club tutorial video on control panel removal - he doesn't even mention the top clips! we're in the same boat as you were, we've released the two side clips but can't get to, or release, the top clips. Don't want to damage anything. Would appreciate your advice. About to send the unit to Eindhoven for repair, when we can get it out...

 

[nickandemma]

We ended up damaging the clips but did replace the knob (which had failed). Then I taped the whole thing up in place with good old gaffer tape and we were able to go on holiday. However the cost of repair was enormous as the whole housing had to be replaced. I’d advice anyone to give to a professional to sort out as it’s a horrid job and we’d have saved hundreds if we had.

 

[WelshGas]

Johneast Just watched the club tutorial video on control panel removal - he doesn't even mention the top clips! we're in the same boat as you were, we've released the two side clips but can't get to, or release, the top clips. Don't want to damage anything. Would appreciate your advice. About to send the unit to Eindhoven for repair, when we can get it out...

Try this Video

 

[Mike Frost]

Try this Video

Thanks, WelshGas. Watched this video, several times. The chap (Nick, I understand) doesn't touch upon the existence of the two retaining clips on the top of the unit housing. He appears to 'just' release the lower ones, and, hey presto! the unit slides out. In contrast to this, we, JohnEast, and NickandEmma have found it impossible to get the unit out, owing to the existence of the top clips.

So near, yet so far. I don't want to force anything, so I've called Campervanbits.com, and asked Nick to call me and talk me through the extraction process. I'll share the fruits of my enquiries on here, once I manage to achieve an intact extraction.

Thanks for the tip about Verotronics, by the way. I've already communicated with them, and shall get the unit off to Eindhoven as soon as it's out!

 

[ArunAlec]

Thanks, WelshGas. Watched this video, several times. The chap (Nick, I understand) doesn't touch upon the existence of the two retaining clips on the top of the unit housing. He appears to 'just' release the lower ones, and, hey presto! the unit slides out. In contrast to this, we, JohnEast, and NickandEmma have found it impossible to get the unit out, owing to the existence of the top clips.

So near, yet so far. I don't want to force anything, so I've called Campervanbits.com, and asked Nick to call me and talk me through the extraction process. I'll share the fruits of my enquiries on here, once I manage to achieve an intact extraction.

Thanks for the tip about Verotronics, by the way. I've already communicated with them, and shall get the unit off to Eindhoven as soon as it's out!

Somewhere on the forum there is a post that has a series of photos that do show the 2 top tabs. I have a copy in my glovebox, just in case!

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks, WelshGas. Watched this video, several times. The chap (Nick, I understand) doesn't touch upon the existence of the two retaining clips on the top of the unit housing. He appears to 'just' release the lower ones, and, hey presto! the unit slides out. In contrast to this, we, JohnEast, and NickandEmma have found it impossible to get the unit out, owing to the existence of the top clips.

So near, yet so far. I don't want to force anything, so I've called Campervanbits.com, and asked Nick to call me and talk me through the extraction process. I'll share the fruits of my enquiries on here, once I manage to achieve an intact extraction.

Thanks for the tip about Verotronics, by the way. I've already communicated with them, and shall get the unit off to Eindhoven as soon as it's out!

Once you’ve unclipped the 2 side clips have you tried a Credit/Membership plastic card in the top either side while pushing the unit upwards on the back lower edge, tipping it forward slightly?

 

[BerndRos]

I have just replaced my control panel button this morning, luckily all ok and no damage but was a nightmare.

Years ago I purchased a replacement button & instructions, by someone called Groby, in 2012. Think I got from the club shop. Had in van all these years, just in case.

Did the whole thing but the new button was not working due to the button not making contact to initiate the press button action. Resolved by taking everything apart a second time and carefully packing the new button with a little plastic in order to raise the level, so when pressed it works the push action.

Issues were getting the CU out due to the top clips, could not get the two smaller electrical connectors out of the back, so had to very carefully remove the 4 screws and facia while it was hanging. Luckily did not damage anything that shows & it’s working fine on all functions.

The instructions did not mention the top clips or the two smaller connectors on the back of the CU.

 

[GSX1300R]

I have just bought a facia kit but haven’t attempted to fit it yet. I was under the impression that once you released the 2 clips it came out as in the videos..I don’t want to brake anything and make it an even more expensive job..So what is the full and correct way to get the unit out..

 

[Mike Frost]

Once you’ve unclipped the 2 side clips have you tried a Credit/Membership plastic card in the top either side while pushing the unit upwards on the back lower edge, tipping it forward slightly?

I don't see access to the top of the unit at all. There's no space to gain access to the area. Have tried cut up c/cards in each side,opening the side clips, then endeavouring to tip/rock the unit so as to ease past the top clips. So far, to no avail, but thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Mike Frost]

Have just found this, courtesy of Hotel California and 'Umberto' from another forum. Shall try in the morning, when it's not 110 in the shade, let alone on the drive!

 

[BerndRos]

That’s pretty much what I did to release mine, although I used a very thin flat screwdriver, while with the other hand I wriggled the unit from behind.

Think what caused my trepidation was knowing how costly a mistake would turn out to be.

 

[WelshGas]

Have just found this, courtesy of Hotel California and 'Umberto' from another forum. Shall try in the morning, when it's not 110 in the shade, let alone on the drive!
View attachment 66272

Try with a credit card. Just tried with mine and a card pushed the tang downwards.

 

[GSX1300R]

I don't see access to the top of the unit at all. There's no space to gain access to the area. Have tried cut up c/cards in each side,opening the side clips, then endeavouring to tip/rock the unit so as to ease past the top clips. So far, to no avail, but thanks for the suggestion.

Can you let us know when you find out about this please. Like everyone else I thought it was straight forward..

 

[GSX1300R]

Have just found this, courtesy of Hotel California and 'Umberto' from another forum. Shall try in the morning, when it's not 110 in the shade, let alone on the drive!
View attachment 66272

I take it that the spoon in the picture has to go in at an angle because the clips seen to be a long way inside? Maybe 10mm.

 

[WelshGas]

I take it that the spoon in the picture has to go in at an angle because the clips seen to be a long way inside? Maybe 10mm.

The surround is just a frame. Push down behind the frame to release the plastic tang/clip from pushing against the back of the frame. I just used a credit card because its wider, less likely to miss the tang.

 

[westfalia]

I once pulled the whole front off and broke the
ribbon connector.
Luckily i was sending it off to Verotronics anyway,
how lucky was that.

 

[Mike Frost]

Okay. See photo. I introduced a double thickness of credit card on each side, pushing the side clips in, but leaving the CU in situ, so that it was absolutely parallel in its housing. I then introduced the two coffee stirrers behind the housing, as per Umberto's photo, and gently manipulated them - they're a tight fit, by the way. After half a minute, the CU box cleared the housing, and I was able to pull it out.

Take care unlocking the clip holding the main plug in the socket, it's very brittle

 

[GSX1300R]

Okay. See photo. I introduced a double thickness of credit card on each side, pushing the side clips in, but leaving the CU in situ, so that it was absolutely parallel in its housing. I then introduced the two coffee stirrers behind the housing, as per Umberto's photo, and gently manipulated them - they're a tight fit, by the way. After half a minute, the CU box cleared the housing, and I was able to pull it out.

Take care unlocking the clip holding the main plug in the socket, it's very brittle

View attachment 66310

Did you follow the previous procedures as in the video? Or was this done while everything else was in place.