Cabriolet electric roof not working. Where do I start?
Posted
#1399667
(In Topic #183962)
Newbie
Can someone help me with a link or advice regarding an electric hood on a VW Golf Cabriolet Mk1 that refuses to work.
I have been searching in the Forum archives and You tube but no results.
Basically my problem is that, I have bought an insurance total loss Clipper which has all the electric window,s hood, tinted glass etc to upgrade my sons' Clipper and supply of all those little bits and bobs that cost so much individually.
The down side is that the owner has had it stored many years out in the open not garaged.
I have found that the electric roof will not open. When the switch is operated all I get is a click from one of the bank of 4 relays in the boot,(the second one from the front of the car), Swopping the relays around made no difference. The 4 relays all have the number 79 on the top. Before delving further any suggestions would be appreciated.
I have been searching in the Forum archives and You tube but no results.
Basically my problem is that, I have bought an insurance total loss Clipper which has all the electric window,s hood, tinted glass etc to upgrade my sons' Clipper and supply of all those little bits and bobs that cost so much individually.
The down side is that the owner has had it stored many years out in the open not garaged.
I have found that the electric roof will not open. When the switch is operated all I get is a click from one of the bank of 4 relays in the boot,(the second one from the front of the car), Swopping the relays around made no difference. The 4 relays all have the number 79 on the top. Before delving further any suggestions would be appreciated.
Posted
Moderator
This may be a silly question but I usually make simple mistakes so I always start simple!
Have you got the key in the ignition but not moved in any way? The relays clicking is usually a sign of the car saying it won't do something.
the hood won't operate if the the engine is running or if the ignition is on or at the 'aux' position.
hopefully it's this simple.
Erm if not I'll bow out now!
Have you got the key in the ignition but not moved in any way? The relays clicking is usually a sign of the car saying it won't do something.
the hood won't operate if the the engine is running or if the ignition is on or at the 'aux' position.
hopefully it's this simple.
Erm if not I'll bow out now!
Posted
Newbie
Thanks for the heads up Borednow.
Can I just confirm that you say the hood will not work if the engine is running this makes sense and is logical. but I did have the ingnition in the on position and you say it should be off.
Is that right?
If so tomorrow I will try with the ignition off. If this still does not work I suspect the motor is stuck or just broken.
Can I just confirm that you say the hood will not work if the engine is running this makes sense and is logical. but I did have the ingnition in the on position and you say it should be off.
Is that right?
If so tomorrow I will try with the ignition off. If this still does not work I suspect the motor is stuck or just broken.
Posted
Moderator
Posted
Newbie
It is difficult when you do not have a handbook to explain the sequence of opening the hood. I suppose it would explain what you have suggested. I think the Golf is a bit early for sensors all over the car to prevent opening of the hood in inappropriate moments.Adrian Dix-Dyer said
Thanks for the heads up Borednow.
Can I just confirm that you say the hood will not work if the engine is running this makes sense and is logical. but I did have the ingnition in the on position and you say it should be off.
Is that right?
If so tomorrow I will try with the ignition off. If this still does not work I suspect the motor is stuck or just broken.
I have a BMW Z3. The hood on this only operates with the foot brake applied and the car stationary. It works through the brake light switch as I found out when the switch failed.
Ł38 for a poxy plastic switch from BMW daylight robbery!
Roll on tomorrow to try the hood again.
Many thanks, your help is appreciated.
Adrian
Posted
Moderator
Take boot trim off from passenger side, unplug pump (2pin connector) get 2 long bits of wire and strip both ends approx 10mm.
Poke 1 end of each wire into the pump plug and use the other end to run direct to spare battery.
The motor should either run forwards or backwards (open/close) reverse as required. Once the pumps running ok plug the 2 pin connector back in an test the switch operation.
Poke 1 end of each wire into the pump plug and use the other end to run direct to spare battery.
The motor should either run forwards or backwards (open/close) reverse as required. Once the pumps running ok plug the 2 pin connector back in an test the switch operation.
Ever growing range of new mk1 golf parts www.classic-vw.co.uk
Posted
Newbie
Thanks Funk-Star good thinking.funk-star said
Take boot trim off from passenger side, unplug pump (2pin connector) get 2 long bits of wire and strip both ends approx 10mm.
Poke 1 end of each wire into the pump plug and use the other end to run direct to spare battery.
The motor should either run forwards or backwards (open/close) reverse as required. Once the pumps running ok plug the 2 pin connector back in an test the switch operation.
I was thinking along the same line but wanted some feedback first.
Borednows' suggestion is first though as it may just be me not following the correct procedure to work the roof.
Thanks for your input.
Posted
Newbie
Funk-Star,Adrian Dix-Dyer said
Thanks Funk-Star good thinking.
I was thinking along the same line but wanted some feedback first.
Borednows' suggestion is first though as it may just be me not following the correct procedure to work the roof.
Thanks for your input.
Just had a thought the switch must be OK as the relay is clicking. Am I right?
Posted
Moderator
Yea, if the relay is clicking then your doing it right.
It will be the pump stuck, you can also give the body a smack with a hammer (not the plastic) as they just need freeing off.
It will be the pump stuck, you can also give the body a smack with a hammer (not the plastic) as they just need freeing off.
Ever growing range of new mk1 golf parts www.classic-vw.co.uk
Posted
Moderator
funk-star said
Yea, if the relay is clicking then your doing it right.
It will be the pump stuck, you can also give the body a smack with a hammer (not the plastic) as they just need freeing off.
'Hit it with a hammer' now tht's my kind of precision engineering
It's amazing how often this does the trick though
Posted
MOTY 2013
the key must be inserted but not switch to on position, this is 'key' ()
did you fit the key-in'ignition live feed to the ignition switch pin S/SU? if not this will be why, there should be a brown/red wire that runs from ign switch all thru the dash loom to K/5, then from here to the roof electrics (you dont actually need to put a wire to K/5, just from switch to roof electrics is fine)
you may also want to run another wire from the ignition switch SU feed to the radio accessory live pin, this will make the radio switch on as soon as key is inserted to the ignition, and is how the late cabros are from the factory
did you fit the key-in'ignition live feed to the ignition switch pin S/SU? if not this will be why, there should be a brown/red wire that runs from ign switch all thru the dash loom to K/5, then from here to the roof electrics (you dont actually need to put a wire to K/5, just from switch to roof electrics is fine)
you may also want to run another wire from the ignition switch SU feed to the radio accessory live pin, this will make the radio switch on as soon as key is inserted to the ignition, and is how the late cabros are from the factory
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
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My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
VAG Documents & Downloads
You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
Posted
Newbie
Eventually I got around to taking the suggestions made. to resolve why the electric hood did not seem to work.
Bingo,
It was as simple as the correct sequence of operating the switch with the key in the right position,
a stuck motor sorted with a rubber mallet,
and binding hinges which loads of WD40 sorted out.
So many thanks to all who replied. It was much appreciated.
Bingo,
It was as simple as the correct sequence of operating the switch with the key in the right position,
a stuck motor sorted with a rubber mallet,
and binding hinges which loads of WD40 sorted out.
So many thanks to all who replied. It was much appreciated.
Posted
Local Hero
Amazing what info can be found is prepared to search… I've now a seized roof..will check this method…that's when I get car back.
On the drive
T25 Diesel…sameoldblueshiŁ (currently under resto)
Rocco gt2….1990 secret 2…(currently under resto)
Mk4 99 1.8t indigo blue Gti with 43k miles
Caster 93 clipper JH Green cabby
Snowy 91 GTi White cabby( sat waiting for inspiration)
Myvalver 89 GTi Grey mk2 16v
Yuppy Flu 91 GTi Flash Red Sportline
Golf mk1 owner's club on Spotify
Mk1 golf owners club playlist: Golf mk1 owner's club playlist - YouTube
T25 Diesel…sameoldblueshiŁ (currently under resto)
Rocco gt2….1990 secret 2…(currently under resto)
Mk4 99 1.8t indigo blue Gti with 43k miles
Caster 93 clipper JH Green cabby
Snowy 91 GTi White cabby( sat waiting for inspiration)
Myvalver 89 GTi Grey mk2 16v
Yuppy Flu 91 GTi Flash Red Sportline
Golf mk1 owner's club on Spotify
Mk1 golf owners club playlist: Golf mk1 owner's club playlist - YouTube
Posted
Settling In
Sorry for brining up that old topic. I just need a few pointers from more experienced people regarding the roof.
The mechanism works, the pump seems to be working as well. I never had a problem with it opening or closing. But today on the first hot day it just did not open. I heard the relais click in the back, but it would not move. I parked it inside the garage, after 1 hour it just opened as normal.
After my hour drive I wanted to close it again, and it did the same thing again. It just did not move. I left the car for about 10 minutes, after that it just worked normal….
Where can I check the connections? What would your ideas be?
The mechanism works, the pump seems to be working as well. I never had a problem with it opening or closing. But today on the first hot day it just did not open. I heard the relais click in the back, but it would not move. I parked it inside the garage, after 1 hour it just opened as normal.
After my hour drive I wanted to close it again, and it did the same thing again. It just did not move. I left the car for about 10 minutes, after that it just worked normal….
Where can I check the connections? What would your ideas be?
Posted
Local Hero
You could check the valve is closed on the pump. If relays kicking in then could be just lack of pressure. Check oil level when roof is down. Top up and operate few times. Then grease all the pivot points. I noticed that mines leaking again..not from piston this time…from hose.
On the drive
T25 Diesel…sameoldblueshiŁ (currently under resto)
Rocco gt2….1990 secret 2…(currently under resto)
Mk4 99 1.8t indigo blue Gti with 43k miles
Caster 93 clipper JH Green cabby
Snowy 91 GTi White cabby( sat waiting for inspiration)
Myvalver 89 GTi Grey mk2 16v
Yuppy Flu 91 GTi Flash Red Sportline
Golf mk1 owner's club on Spotify
Mk1 golf owners club playlist: Golf mk1 owner's club playlist - YouTube
T25 Diesel…sameoldblueshiŁ (currently under resto)
Rocco gt2….1990 secret 2…(currently under resto)
Mk4 99 1.8t indigo blue Gti with 43k miles
Caster 93 clipper JH Green cabby
Snowy 91 GTi White cabby( sat waiting for inspiration)
Myvalver 89 GTi Grey mk2 16v
Yuppy Flu 91 GTi Flash Red Sportline
Golf mk1 owner's club on Spotify
Mk1 golf owners club playlist: Golf mk1 owner's club playlist - YouTube
Posted
Settling In
Yes that sounds like a good idea in general! I never really checked the pump properly. What kind of oil does it need? Hydraulic oil?
Posted
Local Hero
Cabriolet electric roof not working. Where do I start?
Ign switch the live feed comes from there.
There is a self resetting fuse for the roof it's a thermal one located on a seperate holder above the fuse box.
There is also a 10 amp fuse nearby iirc.
If it's been hot where you are it could be heat related or a loose connection.
Roof oil needs checking with roof down.
If it's stuck just unscrew the Thumb bar on the body pump side. You can reach it via a hole in the boot card on passenger side.
I'd also pull each relay in turn from the block in the boot & clean each terminal up and re fit. The relays are not all the same so make sure you put them back in the right place.
Only fill level so it sits between min and max.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There is a self resetting fuse for the roof it's a thermal one located on a seperate holder above the fuse box.
There is also a 10 amp fuse nearby iirc.
If it's been hot where you are it could be heat related or a loose connection.
Roof oil needs checking with roof down.
If it's stuck just unscrew the Thumb bar on the body pump side. You can reach it via a hole in the boot card on passenger side.
I'd also pull each relay in turn from the block in the boot & clean each terminal up and re fit. The relays are not all the same so make sure you put them back in the right place.
Only fill level so it sits between min and max.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Making Cabbies More Beautiful One Roof at a Time"
Posted
Local Hero
hpsg said
Yes that sounds like a good idea in general! I never really checked the pump properly. What kind of oil does it need? Hydraulic oil?
http://answers.halfords.com/answers/4028/product/575233/questions.htm or http://www.cabriolet-roof-hoses.com in short term any oil would do to prove system working. Then drain out the system…more messy.
On the drive
T25 Diesel…sameoldblueshiŁ (currently under resto)
Rocco gt2….1990 secret 2…(currently under resto)
Mk4 99 1.8t indigo blue Gti with 43k miles
Caster 93 clipper JH Green cabby
Snowy 91 GTi White cabby( sat waiting for inspiration)
Myvalver 89 GTi Grey mk2 16v
Yuppy Flu 91 GTi Flash Red Sportline
Golf mk1 owner's club on Spotify
Mk1 golf owners club playlist: Golf mk1 owner's club playlist - YouTube
T25 Diesel…sameoldblueshiŁ (currently under resto)
Rocco gt2….1990 secret 2…(currently under resto)
Mk4 99 1.8t indigo blue Gti with 43k miles
Caster 93 clipper JH Green cabby
Snowy 91 GTi White cabby( sat waiting for inspiration)
Myvalver 89 GTi Grey mk2 16v
Yuppy Flu 91 GTi Flash Red Sportline
Golf mk1 owner's club on Spotify
Mk1 golf owners club playlist: Golf mk1 owner's club playlist - YouTube
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