Roof won’t open or close.

[nick castree]

I have a T5 California, 2013 Reg. The control panel is telling me that the roof is open and pinging every time I move off. i’m pretty sure it’s the sensors and I have it booked in for a diagnostic unfortunately not until the 13th of March.

The problem I have is it the roof won’t open or close the motor is just not running. I’ve checked all the 30 amp fuses under the passenger seat and they seem okay. I’ve also gone into the VW diagnostic to try to clear the fault to no avail.
I would like to try to resolve the issue before it goes in for the sensor replacement if only to alleviate extra cost.
Any ideas?

 

[WelshGas]

I have a T5 California, 2013 Reg. The control panel is telling me that the roof is open and pinging every time I move off. i’m pretty sure it’s the sensors and I have it booked in for a diagnostic unfortunately not until the 13th of March.

The problem I have is it the roof won’t open or close the motor is just not running. I’ve checked all the 30 amp fuses under the passenger seat and they seem okay. I’ve also gone into the VW diagnostic to try to clear the fault to no avail.
I would like to try to resolve the issue before it goes in for the sensor replacement if only to alleviate extra cost.
Any ideas?

I'm afraid the 2 faults are connected. Due to a sensor failing the hydraulic pump won't work as the controller doesn't know where the roof is, in effect.

I'm afraid you will be in for a hefty bill, courtesy of VW, as they won't replace the sensors but the whole wiring loom. Expect £1500 or so, or more if they don't fancy the job.

But you could visit Kernow Transporters in Cornwall and have it all sorted for around about £500 in 1/2 a day.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Kernow Transporters are highly recommended when it comes to our roofs. Theres a campsite very close by as well.

 

[tedgina]

I have a T5 California, 2013 Reg. The control panel is telling me that the roof is open and pinging every time I move off. i’m pretty sure it’s the sensors and I have it booked in for a diagnostic unfortunately not until the 13th of March.

The problem I have is it the roof won’t open or close the motor is just not running. I’ve checked all the 30 amp fuses under the passenger seat and they seem okay. I’ve also gone into the VW diagnostic to try to clear the fault to no avail.
I would like to try to resolve the issue before it goes in for the sensor replacement if only to alleviate extra cost.
Any ideas?

Hi you could try Mark Volkvans in derbyshire.He knows his way around this problem,find him on facebook.He did ours last year in about 3 hours.

 

[nick castree]

I'm afraid the 2 faults are connected. Due to a sensor failing the hydraulic pump won't work as the controller doesn't know where the roof is, in effect.

I'm afraid you will be in for a hefty bill, courtesy of VW, as they won't replace the sensors but the whole wiring loom. Expect £1500 or so, or more if they don't fancy the job.

But you could visit Kernow Transporters in Cornwall and have it all sorted for around about £500 in 1/2 a day.

I'm afraid the 2 faults are connected. Due to a sensor failing the hydraulic pump won't work as the controller doesn't know where the roof is, in effect.

I'm afraid you will be in for a hefty bill, courtesy of VW, as they won't replace the sensors but the whole wiring loom. Expect £1500 or so, or more if they don't fancy the job.

But you could visit Kernow Transporters in Cornwall and have it all sorted for around about £500 in 1/2 a day.

Thank you for your reply. I was expecting that response just need to bite the bullet. We’ve had the van for ten years so need to accept these bills. I think I may explore the Kernow route.

 

[Tomcali]

We had a similar problem due to our sensors failing. Fortunately the roof failed when it was in the open position and we had access to the sensors. Replaced with 4off BMW cabriolet Mk2 sensors bought on eBay (£100.00) https://order.ebay.co.uk/ord/show?orderId=13-11597-99386&purchaseOrderId=13-1159-799385
The hardest part was disconnecting all three batteries x2 leisure and x1 main engine compartment - took around 4hrs for whole job. There are discussions on the forum how to do it, I’ll see if I can find a link for you.

 

[Tomcali]

Replacing Halls Sensors myself (hopefully)

Hi I‘ve been having trouble with my roof. Actually it goes up and down fine but the control unit seems to think it’s up all the time. This has happened intermittently before but having replaced my control unit last summer as the screen finally died, the brand new one now chimes to alert me that...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Tomcali]

How to Replace Roof Sensors

My roof has over the years occasionally said it was up when it was down. I‘ve owned it from 2009 and know the sound it makes when closing so have ignored this. I think last summer this finally became worse. Coincidentally after last summer I decided I wanted to replace the control unit as the...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[vwbob]

I have replaced mine using this download not to difficut just need common sense. no specialtools required.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/how-to-replace-roof-sensors-by-lambeth-cali.210/download.

Saves a lot of money. If you dont fancy doing it this way. Kernow Transporters will do a fantastic job at a fair price for you

 

[KGCali]

Kernow (Cornwall) or Mark @volksvans (near Matlock) will both do a great job at a fair price on replacing your roof sensors just depends who's closer to you.

Mark@Volksvans

Facebook

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Kernow Transporters Cornwall | Penzance

Kernow Transporters Cornwall, Penzance, Cornwall. 898 likes · 1 talking about this · 1 was here. Welcome to Kernow Transporters selling page where we sell our T5 or T6 seats,Trim's and lots more...

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[Anthony1]

I'm afraid the 2 faults are connected. Due to a sensor failing the hydraulic pump won't work as the controller doesn't know where the roof is, in effect.

I'm afraid you will be in for a hefty bill, courtesy of VW, as they won't replace the sensors but the whole wiring loom. Expect £1500 or so, or more if they don't fancy the job.

But you could visit Kernow Transporters in Cornwall and have it all sorted for around about £500 in 1/2 a day.

I was recently quotes £2700 for the job by VW Cowfold.

£200 just for the investigation, after I told them what I suspected the problem was.

Kernow are way less than £500 and takes about 2 - 3 hours.

 

[john hoptroff]

I have a T5 California, 2013 Reg. The control panel is telling me that the roof is open and pinging every time I move off. i’m pretty sure it’s the sensors and I have it booked in for a diagnostic unfortunately not until the 13th of March.

The problem I have is it the roof won’t open or close the motor is just not running. I’ve checked all the 30 amp fuses under the passenger seat and they seem okay. I’ve also gone into the VW diagnostic to try to clear the fault to no avail.
I would like to try to resolve the issue before it goes in for the sensor replacement if only to alleviate extra cost.
Any ideas?

First things first is does it look like the roof is down level and not sticking up on one side? To my mind that is the job the sensors do to ensure the roof does not get lifted on one side only following a hydraulic actuator failure. This would distress the roof and mechanism.

My advice is to do it yourself if you feel able. I did a lot of research on this forum and found some good online info from VW themselves that explains how the different modules that control the roof are connected.

My neighbour is a retired auto electrician and his view and mine was battery disconnection is not necessary so I went this way and saved a lot of time. Lots of others believe the batteries should be disconnected though so please don’t do it my way without assessing your own risk.

You have to take the camper controller to bits, take off a sun visor and peel back the head lining so the hydraulic motor is exposed. Then make up an insulated connector with 2 long wires and connect this to the motor. Then using a 12v power supply (I used a spare car battery) lift the roof slightly and check it’s going up equally on both sides. It was a great relief when I heard the motor running and the roof raising. Once fully raised which you know by the familiar sound the motor makes at the top you’re free to get at the sensors. I bought all four but struggled to fit one of the rear ones so left that with the original.

After that the roof went up and down with no problems and has been fine since with no alarms. One lesson learned for me was when this first started to go wrong the roof would still operate so if this happens again I will swap the sensors straight away.

 

[kma133]

Hi,

Take a look through this thread https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/california-t5-1-se-2015-roof-error.56824/ including the VW service that is attached in that thread. It's not exactly the same error as you seem to have but it only take a few minutes to check the control panel settings and may save an expensive repair bill.

 

[Kirx]

Hi you could try Mark Volkvans in derbyshire.He knows his way around this problem,find him on facebook.He did ours last year in about 3 hours.

Mark is brilliant, did mine last Easter, nice pub stopover close to him too, £350 I bought the sensors from BMW at £50. Much cheaper and much more trusted than VW Dealers, who will make a meal of it and charge over £1500.

Mark’s is on FB - Markvolks - great chap, cleared the camper drains too, whilst he was at it.

 

[Kirx]

Mark is brilliant, did mine last Easter, nice pub stopover close to him too, £350 I bought the sensors from BMW at £50. Much cheaper and much more trusted than VW Dealers, who will make a meal of it and charge over £1500.

Mark’s is on FB - Mark Volksvans - great chap, cleared the camper drains too, whilst he was at it.

 

[peacelyfridolin]

I have a T5 California, 2013 Reg. The control panel is telling me that the roof is open and pinging every time I move off. i’m pretty sure it’s the sensors and I have it booked in for a diagnostic unfortunately not until the 13th of March.

The problem I have is it the roof won’t open or close the motor is just not running. I’ve checked all the 30 amp fuses under the passenger seat and they seem okay. I’ve also gone into the VW diagnostic to try to clear the fault to no avail.
I would like to try to resolve the issue before it goes in for the sensor replacement if only to alleviate extra cost.
Any ideas?

 

[peacelyfridolin]

I have a T5 California, 2013 Reg. The control panel is telling me that the roof is open and pinging every time I move off. i’m pretty sure it’s the sensors and I have it booked in for a diagnostic unfortunately not until the 13th of March.

The problem I have is it the roof won’t open or close the motor is just not running. I’ve checked all the 30 amp fuses under the passenger seat and they seem okay. I’ve also gone into the VW diagnostic to try to clear the fault to no avail.
I would like to try to resolve the issue before it goes in for the sensor replacement if only to alleviate extra cost.
Any ideas?

Check this:

or this:

Fridolin Glarner - English

Repair Instructions Disclaimer: Using the instructions requires technical expertise. The author assumes no liability. Using the instructions is entirely at your own risk!!!

sites.google.com

 

[Steve Phennah]

I have a T5 California, 2013 Reg. The control panel is telling me that the roof is open and pinging every time I move off. i’m pretty sure it’s the sensors and I have it booked in for a diagnostic unfortunately not until the 13th of March.

The problem I have is it the roof won’t open or close the motor is just not running. I’ve checked all the 30 amp fuses under the passenger seat and they seem okay. I’ve also gone into the VW diagnostic to try to clear the fault to no avail.
I would like to try to resolve the issue before it goes in for the sensor replacement if only to alleviate extra cost.
Any ideas?

Hi,
I replaced all four sensors myself (£15 each from BMW). A bit of a faf dropping the front of the roof space and the hydraulic motor to power up the actuating mechanism, but ok for a reasonably proficient diy mechanic…. And I didn’t disconnect the batteries, just careful not to short anything.
Previous forums are a good help for the procedure…. Good luck or take the advice of others and access the Cheaper options… I believe VW will only replace the entire wiring loom in the roof, hence the price!