HELP ME PLEASE! ROOF STUCK OPEN!

[johnnybongo]

HELP ME! eyup , am currently in a campsite in Brussels, This morning my roof wouldn't come down so needing to go out, we used the taking the motor off and pulling it down with washing line method. Thing is now how do I get the washing line out , and get the roof back open to start fixing it. Any help at all please, as we,re supposed to be meeting people in Basel tomorrow (near Switzerland) Am at an internet cafe, so will have to log off, and log on again later, Ta.

[Simon Jones]

Afraid I cant help with the washing line problem. I have had my roof stick in the up position a few times. What worked for us was to try to open it whilst giving it an upward wiggle. I guess the extra push activated one of the switches & then the motors kicked in to allow it to be lowered.

Hope you get it sorted ASAP - good luck

[johnnybongo]

Thanks, The motors are both removed, I've tested them off the van and they both power up so they're not broken. Really need to know how to get the roof up with the washing line, do I just keep pulling it towards the rear of the van anyone?Don't want to waste time doing this if not ,as its ripping the roof seal when I tried it just a few inches.

[francophile1947]

Forum is slow tonight, so responses not very quick.
I believe (never had to do it) that you will need some strong people to lift the roof from inside the Bongo - then you can safely get the rope out. How you get the roof up, far enough to replace the motors, is a mystery to me

[samuel]

Have looked at the glovebox manual. You have done everything as per its instructions but it does not state how to get the roof back up.

It would appear that the only way back up is to physically push it up until the back stays lock in position.

[Bob]

Muscle is the only way I can think of, if you can borrow 2 step ladders I guess 2 people could lift from the outside, with perhaps some help from a volunteer inside. Problem with lifting from inside only is leverage, you have to push from quite far back, and probably only room for one person throughthe hatch.

Good luck.

[sparkymik]

I was under the impression that the roof went up under the influence of the numatic struts the motor contols the assent and brings it down, so given that you release the washing line and push it should go up, hope this helps

Sparky

[missfixit70]

The motors drive the roof up, hence the recommendation to have the engine running, I think it's a matter off multiple musclepower as has already been stated.

[Matt&JoyBongling]

Any idea how much the AFT adds to a Bongo? I was once told it adds approx 300kg but that seems excessive IMHO.

[Bob]

Thats 6cwt, and frankly I can't see that, could be whoever told you meant £500, not 500lb.

A third of a ton on the roof seems high. (A lot of weight, not a long way from the ground.)

I'll get me coat.

[MountainGoat]

Looking at my copy of the Bongo Friendee Service Manual I find that there is an Auto Free Top Control Unit mentioned on page 307. It is located within the rear offside trim just forward of the rear offside light cluster. The Manual says that the control unit should be removed and tested with a circuit tester to see if the measured terminal voltage value differs to the list of voltage values, checked where the terminal is connected to. If the system is normal but it does not opperate well the control unit should be replaced.

[Ian]

Have just spoken to Johnny on the phone. He said when the roof was finally lowered, it clicked in to place. He has tried pushing it back open again, but no joy.

He says he won't let a minor problem like this ruin his holiday. The kids can sleep in the tent, and he's pressing on to Switzerland. In the mean time, if anyone else has any tips, he will log in again when he reaches destination.