Roof fault message 100 - and my enhance remote control solution!

Olive in a bus · Feb 21, 2023

After seven years of owning my Cali purchased new in 2015, I got the dreaded roof fault, annoying chime and error code 1000…I found the awesome instructions that Lambeth Cali did regarding the sensors but concluded that a lack of time and confidence meant that I would need another solution. Volkswagen was quoting between 1 and 3k, depending on the problem, and I always worry about their knowledge about California-specific items on my now out-of-warranty van.

So I approached an auto electrician, who was unwilling to do the sensor mod and went to several converters, but no one was interested in looking at a California roof. Eventually, one converter referred me to Richard at Kernow Conversions based in Cornwall, who knows everything about California roofs - in fact, they retrofit them to Transporter Caravelles etc.

Richard bypassed the faulty sensors, coded them out of the control unit, and fitted a remote control…and it is awesome! I can now stand outside the van and lower the van making sure the bellows don’t get trapped in the wind. I don't understand why VW doesn't do this!

I thought this might be useful to anyone experiencing the same problem - here is a video of it in action!

If you have any questions, please ask.

Meoncoast · Feb 21, 2023

Very helpful @Olive in a bus can I ask the cost and how long they had your van?

Olive in a bus · Feb 22, 2023

It was £450, and they had the van for the day. As it's based near Penzance, there are plenty of nice places to stay too

Ozzy Pete · Feb 22, 2023

Olive in a bus said:
It was £450, and they had the van for the day. As it's based near Penzance, there are plenty of nice places to stay too

What fantastic news. This sounds like the answer to many peoples prayers. Instead of the usual £2-3k for VW to do the job you get an expert for less than a quarter of the price, and with a remote control to boot. Brilliant.

Corradobrit · Feb 22, 2023

Olive in a bus said:
After seven years of owning my Cali purchased new in 2015, I got the dreaded roof fault, annoying chime and error code 1000…I found the awesome instructions that Lambeth Cali did regarding the sensors but concluded that a lack of time and confidence meant that I would need another solution. Volkswagen was quoting between 1 and 3k, depending on the problem, and I always worry about their knowledge about California-specific items on my now out-of-warranty van.

So I approached an auto electrician, who was unwilling to do the sensor mod and went to several converters, but no one was interested in looking at a California roof. Eventually, one converter referred me to Richard at Kernow Conversions based in Cornwall, who knows everything about California roofs - in fact, they retrofit them to Transporter Caravelles etc.

Richard bypassed the faulty sensors, coded them out of the control unit, and fitted a remote control…and it is awesome! I can now stand outside the van and lower the van making sure the bellows don’t get trapped in the wind. I don't understand why VW doesn't do this!

I thought this might be useful to anyone experiencing the same problem - here is a video of it in action!

If you have any questions, please ask.

Did you forget to crack a window or open a door when opening the poptop? You wanna be careful if that step was overlooked.

yossarian · Feb 22, 2023

An interesting solution. I guess VW wouldn't be able to do the same as the sensors perform a safety function.

Do you know if the remote has any security? Is there any way to enable or disable remote operation?

When I get round to it I'll probably put a roof control bypass in my van but only connect it in an emergency.

Lambeth Cali · Feb 22, 2023

Yes I was wondering what “Richard bypassed the faulty sensors, coded them out of the control unit” meant exactly.
So you didn’t swap the sensors at all? They’re disconnected?

A very attractive fix on the surface but does make me wonder whether the sensors provide a vital function or not.

When my sensors completely broke, I think the motor/pump kept running and I didn’t hear the roof lock down. I thought they were part of that process of telling the pump to stop etc. How does your pump and control unit know if the roof is up or down? Did he fit something else? Or code something?

Olive in a bus · Feb 24, 2023

I think to code out of the control unit is just 'deleting' the roof via config so it does not look for the sensors and make the 'ping' to say the roof is not down correctly. Yes, the sensors are disconnected completely.

The only disadvantage is that you could theoretically drive off with the roof up, but this is possible in any other conversion.

I actually question how good the sensors are at detecting this, as I have in the past trapped the front resulting in the roof being slightly 'up' and driven home with no warning from the sensors. This would not have happened if I were outside watching with the remote.

Regarding the lock, I think when the roof reaches its fully open or fully closed position and the sound of the electric roof changes, that's the hydraulics bleeding and locking. I just let the sound run for 3 seconds, and it locks firmly.

As I understand it, the sensors only message the control panel that the roof is closed - I don't think they perform a locking function.

Hope this helps

Olive in a bus · Feb 24, 2023

@yossarian could you expand on what concerns you from a security perspective?

yossarian · Feb 24, 2023

Olive in a bus said:
@yossarian could you expand on what concerns you from a security perspective?

Old 433 remotes could be easily cloned as they essentially transmitted one code. Newer ones use a rolling code which can still be attacked quite easily.

I guess a simple on / off switch would negate the risk.

Rolling code - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I'd like to know that my roof couldn't be raised on the highway for example.

Olive in a bus · Feb 24, 2023

@yossarian - Ah, yes makes sense - I forgot to mention - I also have an on-and-off switch in the van and control to raise and lower the roof without the keyfob. on the bottom of the A-pillar - is discreet, looks very OEM and is nicely installed. I am not sure if it's a 433 remote though.

yossarian · Feb 24, 2023

Olive in a bus said:
@yossarian - Ah, yes makes sense - I forgot to mention - I also have an on-and-off switch in the van and control to raise and lower the roof without the keyfob. on the bottom of the A-pillar - is discreet, looks very OEM and is nicely installed. I am not sure if it's a 433 remote though.

It sounds like a well thought out solution then. Those guys do a lot of Cali retrofits I would imagine they've thought through or seen all the pitfalls.

Lambeth Cali · Feb 24, 2023

Olive in a bus said:
I think to code out of the control unit is just 'deleting' the roof via config so it does not look for the sensors and make the 'ping' to say the roof is not down correctly. Yes, the sensors are disconnected completely.

The only disadvantage is that you could theoretically drive off with the roof up, but this is possible in any other conversion.

I actually question how good the sensors are at detecting this, as I have in the past trapped the front resulting in the roof being slightly 'up' and driven home with no warning from the sensors. This would not have happened if I were outside watching with the remote.

Regarding the lock, I think when the roof reaches its fully open or fully closed position and the sound of the electric roof changes, that's the hydraulics bleeding and locking. I just let the sound run for 3 seconds, and it locks firmly.

As I understand it, the sensors only message the control panel that the roof is closed - I don't think they perform a locking function.

Hope this helps

Interesting.
So you just use the remote? Does the control panel still do it if required?
When I lower our roof it stops by itself with my hand still pressing the button. That’s the crucial bit where I guessed the sensors performed a function. Telling the motor to stop. You say you just take your finger off the button 3 seconds after it’s closed, as in you decide it’s locked?

If that works, the sensors seem a bit redundant.

Nobody ever mentions this, but there is a hook on the roof. I think this is where it is. I’ve always guessed that this hook locks the roof. Unfortunately I guess nobody can confirm this as it’s a bit like the light in a refrigerator going out.

I wish Kernow were near us. Seems a very useful outfit.

Olive in a bus · Feb 26, 2023

The conversion removes it from the control panel, so I simply have 2 x remotes and some discreet buttons on the A-pillar to open (if Iose the remote)

These hooks are interesting - all was fine over the last couple of weeks, so I am pretty sure the roof is shut. Kernow Transporters have fitted this solution to lots of other Vans too.

Having owned a California from brand new and transitioning from VW Warranty > Dealer Warranty > no warranty, the California-specific items have gradually become more of a worry. I am confident that any roof issues I have can be handled by Kernow Transporters but I don't know where to go with other specialist items (Fridge, Heater, Cooker etc.) I am sure I will find out at some point

Lambeth Cali · Feb 27, 2023

Olive in a bus said:
The conversion removes it from the control panel, so I simply have 2 x remotes and some discreet buttons on the A-pillar to open (if Iose the remote)

These hooks are interesting - all was fine over the last couple of weeks, so I am pretty sure the roof is shut. Kernow Transporters have fitted this solution to lots of other Vans too.

Having owned a California from brand new and transitioning from VW Warranty > Dealer Warranty > no warranty, the California-specific items have gradually become more of a worry. I am confident that any roof issues I have can be handled by Kernow Transporters but I don't know where to go with other specialist items (Fridge, Heater, Cooker etc.) I am sure I will find out at some point

The cooker doesn’t have many moving parts or electronics. Ran out of gas on night 1 if a 17 night holiday last summer but always cook outside anyway. The fridge seems a common article. The heater seems similar technology to what put a man on the moon, so wouldn’t go near that.
To be honest the fridge and the roof are the main things we need and the forum hive mind are very quick with solutions.
When my van leaked this February the forum brain told me where to look and how to fix. Essential.

By the way you might want to change the title to error 1000 from 100 so others can find your thread.

Olive in a bus · Feb 27, 2023

@Lambeth Cali, I agree this forum is beneficial for these items; I have tried to edit the title but cannot find an edit option for the original post.

If any admins can do this on my behalf, please do

WelshGas · Feb 27, 2023

Olive in a bus said:
@Lambeth Cali, I agree this forum is beneficial for these items; I have tried to edit the title but cannot find an edit option for the original post.

If any admins can do this on my behalf, please do

Only paid up VIP members have that facility. After all they pay to keep the Forum running and so do have some perks.