Electric roof problem

[Robert Coggins]

Have a 2012 Cali, which we’ve owned for nearly 8 years. End of last year after retracting the roof after a trip, it registered that the roof
was still open on the overhead display, along with the intermittent warning beeps. The roof was shut, so I put on the security straps
(eventually). When we got home I opened the roof again which it did ok, apart from an initial hesitation. Again, when I retracted it ,
all looked good, but again it hesitated slightly initially and had to press the control button a couple of times. It retracted ok and looked
Shut completely. Roof open warning still telling me it was open. Put the security straps on again and drove it a few times. All good apart from warnings. Put it in the garage and treated it as a winter project to solve. Got the van out recently to evaluate if the roof was opening square and evenly both sides, but nothing at all, the roof wouldn’t move. All looked good on the panel, but when I tried to raise it nothing at all. I thought it might be a sensor problem last year, but not sure now. Is it a motor problem. Any ideas. Don’t want to go to a dealer as I
don’t trust them. All the other little problems, which were general wear things, I’ve sorted myself, along with club advice.
Rob C ( Blueboy )

 

[WelshGas]

Have a 2012 Cali, which we’ve owned for nearly 8 years. End of last year after retracting the roof after a trip, it registered that the roof
was still open on the overhead display, along with the intermittent warning beeps. The roof was shut, so I put on the security straps
(eventually). When we got home I opened the roof again which it did ok, apart from an initial hesitation. Again, when I retracted it ,
all looked good, but again it hesitated slightly initially and had to press the control button a couple of times. It retracted ok and looked
Shut completely. Roof open warning still telling me it was open. Put the security straps on again and drove it a few times. All good apart from warnings. Put it in the garage and treated it as a winter project to solve. Got the van out recently to evaluate if the roof was opening square and evenly both sides, but nothing at all, the roof wouldn’t move. All looked good on the panel, but when I tried to raise it nothing at all. I thought it might be a sensor problem last year, but not sure now. Is it a motor problem. Any ideas. Don’t want to go to a dealer as I
don’t trust them. All the other little problems, which were general wear things, I’ve sorted myself, along with club advice.
Rob C ( Blueboy )

Have you checked the Control Panel for any Diagnostic Codes?

Check Control Panel Diagnostics.

Control Panel Off and wait 30 secs

Control Panel On

Press and Hold R lower button and then press Control Knob for 5 secs.

New Hidden Menu . Scroll to VW Diagnostics.

If there are any codes shown, take note and then Reset/Clear.

Return to Main Menu.

Switch Off Control Panel using L lower button. Wait 30 secs and Switch On.

Try Roof/Heater or Fridge

 

[Robert Coggins]

Have you checked the Control Panel for any Diagnostic Codes?

Check Control Panel Diagnostics.

Control Panel Off and wait 30 secs

Control Panel On

Press and Hold R lower button and then press Control Knob for 5 secs.

New Hidden Menu . Scroll to VW Diagnostics.

If there are any codes shown, take note and then Reset/Clear.

Return to Main Menu.

Switch Off Control Panel using L lower button. Wait 30 secs and Switch On.

Try Roof/Heater or Fridge

Yes, just done that as you suggested. The fault code reads 1000, which as I understand it is the ram sensors. The first thing I need to do is to raise the roof to gain access which I’m just looking into. It’s a reasonable bet that it’s a sensor ( I think there are 4 ). They can be isolated to check each one, but it seems it’s quite time consuming. Am I right in thinking that the loom with the sensors is a couple of hundred pounds. If that’s the case, would it be reasonable to get them first, then tackle raising the roof and getting on with replacing them all in one go. Apparently, they are a bit fiddly but what isn’t on a Cali.will now look into getting the loom and work involved. Any advice welcome. Many thanks kind regards Blueboy

 

[Robert Coggins]

Yes, just done that as you suggested. The fault code reads 1000, which as I understand it is the ram sensors. The first thing I need to do is to raise the roof to gain access which I’m just looking into. It’s a reasonable bet that it’s a sensor ( I think there are 4 ). They can be isolated to check each one, but it seems it’s quite time consuming. Am I right in thinking that the loom with the sensors is a couple of hundred pounds. If that’s the case, would it be reasonable to get them first, then tackle raising the roof and getting on with replacing them all in one go. Apparently, they are a bit fiddly but what isn’t on a Cali.will now look into getting the loom and work involved. Any advice welcome. Many thanks kind regards Blueboy

Oops, forgot to ask. Plan to be away in the van for a couple of nights this week. The roof of course is out of action ( have to sleep downstairs).
The roof is locked down solid with the restraining straps fitted as a precaution. Should be ok? I’ve used the van a bit this winter since I had this roof problem.

 

[Azteccamper]

If you search ‘roof sensors’ you’ll get all the help you need - including a step by step guide. You will need to prepare for the fix with parts and appropriate tools and give yourself plenty of time.

 

[WelshGas]

Yes, just done that as you suggested. The fault code reads 1000, which as I understand it is the ram sensors. The first thing I need to do is to raise the roof to gain access which I’m just looking into. It’s a reasonable bet that it’s a sensor ( I think there are 4 ). They can be isolated to check each one, but it seems it’s quite time consuming. Am I right in thinking that the loom with the sensors is a couple of hundred pounds. If that’s the case, would it be reasonable to get them first, then tackle raising the roof and getting on with replacing them all in one go. Apparently, they are a bit fiddly but what isn’t on a Cali.will now look into getting the loom and work involved. Any advice welcome. Many thanks kind regards Blueboy

As you are a VIP member you will have access to this How To article by @Lambeth Cali

How to Replace Roof Sensors by Lambeth Cali

Replacement of Roof Sensors using generic Halle sensors purchased from BMW or 3rd party.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[vwbob]

Welsh Gas is spot on just follow the instructions in the download and your issue will be solved not to difficult and much cheaper than buying a full loom just to squire four sensors. Hope this helps Bob

 

[Robert Coggins]

Thanks bob. Read the detailed description on how to change each sensor and what to expect, by Lambeth Cali over the weekend. I’ve ordered 4 sensors and should get these soon. The article was really detailed, so well done to Lambeth Cali. Work involved is quite scary but will give it a go , just get well prepared. Will do this in a few weeks time, and will keep in touch with progress. Cheers Rob ( Blueboy).

 

[nick castree]

Don’t know if this helps anyone but I’m in the process of ordering four of these from Bavaria €14.91 plus about €6.00 postage .
Part no.54347190735. Genuine BMW sensors. Thanks for previous post’s for pointing me in the right direction. Hopefully saving £1500.

 

[Ben Nevis]

Now back in stock in UK from Sytner BMW £15.09 each

 

[Robert Coggins]

That’s really spooky. That’s where I ordered them from. Ordered over the weekend and delivered this morning . Will fit them next week.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

@nick castree & @Robert Coggins at this point I usually remind people to make sure it wont start raining half way through. I also watched a couple of Youtube videos about how best to join wires together - I didn't bother to solder or use heat shrink connectors. Having bought a soldering iron to fix a cooker hood I might now solder but the original VW work is pretty basic, just lots of electrical tape wrapped around and then use mini cable ties to keep the wires in place. Its all very doable. Good luck.

 

[GrahamD]

I had a similar problem on our 2008 California. I identified which sensor by comparing the voltage levels from all four sensors at the control panel in the roof and looking at the sensor with slightly different values first. When I looked at the sensor which is in a plastic case the water had got in and started rusting the laminated metal in it. This caused the case to bulge slightly as shown in the picture. The rusty laminations haven't got the same magnetic properties and so it didn't work properly.
Stupidly I paid something like £600 for a new harness from VW as I couldn't find where to get a single sensor. I cut out one sensor and connected it to the existing harness (soldered & heat shrunk). This was five years ago. It has been OK since.
Sorry about the crappy photo quality.

 

[nick castree]

Now back in stock in UK from Sytner BMW £15.09 each

You caught me before I ordered them
Now being delivered next week from Sytner BMW Shrewsbury. Very helpful and thank you for the heads up. .