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VW California roof specialist East Midlands

E

Elmidd

Messages
7
Location
East Midlands
Vehicle
T5 SE 180 4Motion
Hi all.

First post, had to check out the forum yesterday for the first time with real intent as my 2012 SE Cali developed a flashing light warning for the roof: was closed but alarm suggested it was open, now opening and closing works in flakey / jerky fashion. Sounds like the identical issue to that experienced by a poster last year https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/roof-warning-light-flashing-roof-sensors.41500/

That thread was very useful, many thanks all!

So, seems Im going to have to get new roof sensors :( Bit of a rush as we are planning a long trip in late July. Therefore I was wondering if anyone could suggest dealers / specialists in the East Mids as my garage can’t help. I live in Rutland and any ideas would be very gratefully receives.

David
 
You could do them yourself if all other options take too long. See pdf below.

The holy grail is finding someone non VW, a specialist, to start doing this fairly basic wiring and sensor swap. I don’t think we have one yet. Unless someone else can recall.

There was a recent thread about changing the roof to a manual, and that company might be able to swap the sensors for you. The sensors are easy to get 4 for £60. If you’re in a hurry I would maybe buy some quick and then try and find any garage with basic electrical skills to swap them.
 

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Lambeth Cali said:
You could do them yourself if all other options take too long. See pdf below.

The holy grail is finding someone non VW, a specialist, to start doing this fairly basic wiring and sensor swap. I don’t think we have one yet. Unless someone else can recall.

There was a recent thread about changing the roof to a manual, and that company might be able to swap the sensors for you. The sensors are easy to get 4 for £60. If you’re in a hurry I would maybe buy some quick and then try and find any garage with basic electrical skills to swap them.
Click to expand...
Many thanks - I'll have to do what it takes to get on the road in 3 weeks so this could come in very handy!
 
Elmidd said:
Many thanks - I'll have to do what it takes to get on the road in 3 weeks so this could come in very handy!
Click to expand...
Good luck. The VW Dealer route is expensive and I suspect will take a while just waiting for a loom.

I think there are others who got friendly garages to do the swap for them. I am no mechanic but once you’ve carefully disconnected the batteries the swap is a bit of jiggling the sensors out and in and then cutting wires and re-connecting them. I think the instructions explain the fiddly bits. It’s not a bad idea to remove the plastic cover and just have a look at the sensors. That can give you an idea what’s required and if you fancy attempting it.

Let’s see what others recommend. Someone may know a friendly local garage. But as I say you might want to get the £15 each sensors anyway asap if you’re in a hurry. So that you’re ready to go.
 
Lambeth Cali said:
Good luck. The VW Dealer route is expensive and I suspect will take a while just waiting for a loom.

I think there are others who got friendly garages to do the swap for them. I am no mechanic but once you’ve carefully disconnected the batteries the swap is a bit of jiggling the sensors out and in and then cutting wires and re-connecting them. I think the instructions explain the fiddly bits. It’s not a bad idea to remove the plastic cover and just have a look at the sensors. That can give you an idea what’s required and if you fancy attempting it.

Let’s see what others recommend. Someone may know a friendly local garage. But as I say you might want to get the £15 each sensors anyway asap if you’re in a hurry. So that you’re ready to go.
Click to expand...
It's incredibly useful info Lambeth Cali, really appreciate it and sorry to have a final question or two. I'm no mechanic so, sorry if this is a stupid question, but which of the various 54347190735 should I order? Does it matter? They're for either Cabrio F23, Convertible F23 - is that the same thing just different listings? I'm not sure if I can order from the BMW site as I need to put the VIN in the order form and that might cause complications so I'm looking at the eBay route.

Your step by step guide is superb - could be a holiday saver!
 
Elmidd said:
It's incredibly useful info Lambeth Cali, really appreciate it and sorry to have a final question or two. I'm no mechanic so, sorry if this is a stupid question, but which of the various 54347190735 should I order? Does it matter? They're for either Cabrio F23, Convertible F23 - is that the same thing just different listings? I'm not sure if I can order from the BMW site as I need to put the VIN in the order form and that might cause complications so I'm looking at the eBay route.

Your step by step guide is superb - could be a holiday saver!
Click to expand...

4819484F-664E-46BA-9DEC-FC0D8BB93947.jpeg
 
Elmidd said:
It's incredibly useful info Lambeth Cali, really appreciate it and sorry to have a final question or two. I'm no mechanic so, sorry if this is a stupid question, but which of the various 54347190735 should I order? Does it matter? They're for either Cabrio F23, Convertible F23 - is that the same thing just different listings? I'm not sure if I can order from the BMW site as I need to put the VIN in the order form and that might cause complications so I'm looking at the eBay route.

Your step by step guide is superb - could be a holiday saver!
Click to expand...
It might be worthwhile to lookup a Local Auto electrician. They would have the skill set required. Print out the pdf file and show them.
A Google search throws up a few possibilities.
auto electricians in Rutland?

Screenshot 2022-07-05 at 23.12.57.jpg
 
I was trying to remember what BMW and how to check out but looks like VBK1975 remembers.
Welshgas has a good idea if you want someone to do it for you.
All the same people that helped me!
 
Last edited:
Elmidd said:
It's incredibly useful info Lambeth Cali, really appreciate it and sorry to have a final question or two. I'm no mechanic so, sorry if this is a stupid question, but which of the various 54347190735 should I order? Does it matter? They're for either Cabrio F23, Convertible F23 - is that the same thing just different listings? I'm not sure if I can order from the BMW site as I need to put the VIN in the order form and that might cause complications so I'm looking at the eBay route.

Your step by step guide is superb - could be a holiday saver!
Click to expand...
Trouble with eBay is things often take a long time to arrive. From memory the bmw sites were quicker.
 
I followed @Lambeth Cali advice and instructions and got mine from BMW. In fact I’ve still got them as eventually my roof just wouldn’t raise so had to go to dealer as I felt my skill set didn’t give me confidence to get power to roof motor. So if you fancy doing it yourself be aware that this could happen anytime as well. His instructions were great tho.
if you’re in S.Wales happy for you to buy mine ;)
 
Yes I was fortunate that my roof always went up and down. Some seem to get stuck.
 
Parts ordered this morning and I seem to have found an auto electric operation confident to take the job on. Twists and turns ahead I’m sure but the advice on here has been superb from everyone and at the very least got me making some progress. Thanks everyone.
 
Elmidd said:
Parts ordered this morning and I seem to have found an auto electric operation confident to take the job on. Twists and turns ahead I’m sure but the advice on here has been superb from everyone and at the very least got me making some progress. Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...
Please let us know how you get on and review the company if everything works out.
 
Hey everyone.

A happy ending to this chapter and a strong recommendation. The guys at MotorFit Loughborough managed to get my roof back open (it had got stuck ultimately) and install the new sensors (having found the faulty one) that I ordered thanks to all your help. Richard there was a proper problem solver and the labour charges were perfectly reasonable. Now that they've discovered everything about my 2012 Cali roof they're very happy to see any other owners with any electrical issues. I also got them to install a new Carplay system and that was a top job too :) I got the recommendation from a regional conversion company so they're familiar with all sorts of Campervan issues, including the roof sensor ones now!
 
Elmidd said:
Hey everyone.

A happy ending to this chapter and a strong recommendation. The guys at MotorFit Loughborough managed to get my roof back open (it had got stuck ultimately) and install the new sensors (having found the faulty one) that I ordered thanks to all your help. Richard there was a proper problem solver and the labour charges were perfectly reasonable. Now that they've discovered everything about my 2012 Cali roof they're very happy to see any other owners with any electrical issues. I also got them to install a new Carplay system and that was a top job too :) I got the recommendation from a regional conversion company so they're familiar with all sorts of Campervan issues, including the roof sensor ones now!
Click to expand...
Great news, thanks for the update. Well done to the guys at Motorfit.
 
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