Freetop bleeping

[richlizard]

Hi all.

Apologies for not being a big poster, but I need some help.

I had a bongo for some years but after a break-up a few years back, I got rid of it in favour of a sports car. I am now settled again and my new lady likes the idea of a bongo. So I got another one... yesterday in fact!

I thought I knew all about them and this one seemed in great condition so I snapped it up. Since getting it home, I have found the fridge didn't work (luckily just a fuse), the radio won't pick up fm so without the expense of fitting a new aerial I am probably doomed, but the biggest issue I have is the freetop.

When it was shown to me, the guy sat in the driver's seat and obviously switched the ignition off when it was at the top

The problem I have is that the auto freetop fully extends, but the bleeping does not stop. I know from my previous bongo that it should stop at the top and the bleeping starts again when you press the 'lock' button in the roof ready to bring it down. Pressing that button obviously does nothing as it is already bleeping and the internal up/down switch works without the need to press the roof button.

This would obviously lead to the suggestion that the roof has not reached its limit, but it certainly looks like it has and I have tried other suggestions of up and down a few times and also unzipping the internal fly sheets to loosen it off. I have even tried bench pressing the bloody thing to get it to go higher and stop the bleeps but I just cannot get it to stop. Oh, and I tried disconnecting the roof button without much hope and nothing worked there either.

Although I have mentioned I had one before, I really am quite clueless so would really appreciate any help. I hope there is a simple solution.

ps I do know turning the ignition off stops it

Cheers
Richard

[Darkstar]

loose or in need of adjustment micro switches?

[francophile1947]

Well you seem to have done all the usual tricks
I personally wouldn't worry about it - just turn the ignition off It may just be that it hasn't been used much and will get better with use.
Try spraying silicon grease on both sides of the runners and polishing the chrome bits on the dampers. Also, unzip the tent, not just the inner mesh.

[bongojoe]

I'd have a look at those micro switches too - they're quite accessible when the roof's up and you should be able to see easily enough if its not making contact or if there's something wrong with the switch.

Would be worse if it was stuck shut!

Good luck.

[richlizard]

Thanks for the ideas Franco, but the 'inner' mesh is actually outside the tent so I had to unzip the tent first before unzipping the mesh.

Taking the key out is obviously an option but of course means things like the aircon cannot then be used while stationary. Not really ideal

The microswitch stuff sounds great, but as mentioned I am clueless. It really means nothing to me.

Any bongo for dummies instructions greatly appreciated.

[Simon Jones]

Some useful info in factsheet in members area: http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... ts/aft.pdf

Also, have a search for 'microswitch' and read some of the posts, many with diagrams and photos.

[loneranger]

Hello,Richard I agree that your problemi is the micro switches there are two one on each side.one controls the bleeping one controls the dash board light.I can't remember which is which.My problem was the dashboard light flashing all the time even when the roof was down.I had this problem for a year and did what other people had done just covered it with black tape so I could not see it.I was going to remove the bulb before the MOT as is would be an MOT fail.I played about bending the copper strip on both sides and got rid of the flashing light, but then had your problem of the bleeping being on even when the roof was down. I solved this by some more adjustment to the copper strip and the bleeping stopped.And it did not cause any problems with the MOT,so the micro switch is your problem. I hope this helps. Cheers Michael

[richlizard]

Thanks lone ranger.

I would love to say om I did the same and it solved it, but as mentioned before I am clueless...

... what and where are microswitches? Anyone got any diagrams or is there a youtube clip or something?

Cheers
Rich

[richlizard]

Yay, I have located the microswitches!!

First of all, I put the silicone grease on. The bloke in Maplin said silicone grease ptfe was the same so I hope he knew his stuff.

Either way, it made no difference. Once I located the microswitch that should be hit to stop the bleeping (I tested with a screwdriver), I realised my roof slider thing was never, ever going to reach it. Not even close!!

I have attached a photo here... note I did try inserting here but kept being told it was too high no matter how small I made it, so external link only. Sorry.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2iw979w.jpg

So if someone could be kind enough to offer advice or at least tell me how to do the cardboard/tinfoil trick, I would be grateful.

Longterm of course, I will need to relocate the microswitch which doesn't look like a ten minute job especially for a clown like me.

All advice, as always appreciated.

Rich

[richlizard]

You know how you sometimes wish you hadn't started something?

Well I managed to squeeze a bit of cardboard on the plunger part of the microswitch. Ignition on and voila, the bleeps were not there. So I then pressed the lock button in the roof and things were going great guns. It bleeped to allow me to lower the roof. Luckily, I only lowered it a little!!

I tried to raise it again to check the bleeps stopped and nothing. It would not go back up!! Arggg, I guess my bit of cardboard was telling the bongo to not just stop the bleep but stop any further elevation? As I say, thank xxxx I didn't lower it right down. I removed my techie lump and gave up!!

HELPPPPPP !!!!!! (Erm, please)

[g8dhe]

I wonder if someone has fitted the smaller tent to the more recent version with the greater height on the AFT ??? That would explain why you are no where near the microswitch in the photo. The more recent versions have a greater angle when raised, hence the microswitch being fitted further to the rear.

[richlizard]

Sounds plausible g8.

Problem is it was converted by that Elite Conversions company that no longer exist!!

It really is nowhere near and the tent is very taught

[Simon Jones]

What year is your van and what colour is the material on the tent 'canvas'?

[richlizard]

The bongo is 1999 T reg and the material colour is blue.

[Simon Jones]

Mmm, 1999/2000 was around about the time that they changed to the higher lift roof. The coloured tents (green, blue, purple) tended to be fitted to the earlier models and then they went to silver about 1998/1999 (or at least my previous R reg '98 Bongo was silver). It does sound feasible that it as the wrong canvas fitted, although that would been quite a creative, if ineffective repair.

It's a bit of work, but you could detach the tent fixings at the bottom & then let the roof go up to its full extent & measure the height. This could be checked against both types of roof to see which one you have. The easier option would be to relocate the switch to the point where the tent allows it to go to.