AFT Roof wont raise or close.

Howie1501 · Post by **Howie1501** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:39 pm

Hi There,

The roof on the Bongo has decided to only work when it wants to.........! I'm starting to think is possessed.........!
The roof wouldn't work this weekend whilst in Whitby, the roof raised 6 inch and then stopped. To get home we had to ratchet strap it down. I've now got home and the roof closed fully, but when I then tested it opening the roof stopped at 18inch so now I can't drive it, its stuck. It looks like the nearside motor isn't trying but the roof isn't open enough to gain access to the motors. I understand the roof control unit is on the off side wheel arch area..... right where my kitchen is.... ...!
Is there a easy way to manually open and close the roof?
Has anyone decided to disconnect the motors and push the roof up and down and then chock it open with a length of wood?

Cheers guys.

Post by **Simon Jones** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 7:29 pm

Any use? http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... ts/aft.pdf

Idris · Post by **Idris** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:07 pm

Mine has one weak motor and another very weak one, if I try to raise it it goes a little eay and quits, but after resetting (disconecing the battery and wait a bit) I can persuade it to open by pushing to assist the motos, I have to stop pressing the button if I want to stop pushing or the whole thing jams in place.

If yours has quit completly, then the easiest way without getting yourself into a potentail fix as I did - remove the headlining both main and cab area - you will need to unscrew all the grab handles etc to remove the upper plastic trim to get the headlining off.

Then undoo all the 10mm bolts along both sides - don't undo the larger (14mm?) these are the Strut and hinge bolts, you want to leave these in place.

Now you can manually push the roof up, yes the two rails will flop about but you can get at the motors and reset everthing.

I made the mistake of undooing the rear hinges, but the struts of course just tried to pull the roof forward, it was stopped by the roof tent, I had to secure the roof bars to a beam in my garage and drag the whole assembly back into position to get the roof back in place - lesson learned the struts can be powerfull.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:16 pm

Have you got the engine running when trying to raise the roof? The motors need a lot of current, so may not work properly if there is any fault with your battery.

Howie1501 · Post by **Howie1501** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 9:02 am

Thanks for the replies,

Idris, cheers for,

"Mine has one weak motor and another very weak one, if I try to raise it it goes a little eay and quits, but after resetting (disconecing the battery and wait a bit) I can persuade it to open by pushing to assist the motos, I have to stop pressing the button if I want to stop pushing or the whole thing jams in place."

Great tip. I've now managed to get the roof up and can gain access to the motors. I think I'll try stripping and cleaning the motors and see if that works.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:32 am

Howie1501 wrote:Thanks for the replies,

Idris, cheers for,

"Mine has one weak motor and another very weak one, if I try to raise it it goes a little eay and quits, but after resetting (disconecing the battery and wait a bit) I can persuade it to open by pushing to assist the motos, I have to stop pressing the button if I want to stop pushing or the whole thing jams in place."

Great tip. I've now managed to get the roof up and can gain access to the motors. I think I'll try stripping and cleaning the motors and see if that works.

No doubt you've found the excellent thread on here about how to do that job? Myself, I treated the Bongo to 2 new motors which has most definitely fixed the problem. Use them or lose them is the advice given by Adrian expert on everything Bongo at Japandirect in Bury, who has fixed countless Bongo roofs.

BongoBongo123 · Post by **BongoBongo123** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 6:06 pm

Inspired by this topic I found page 192 in manual

"1. Prepare the tools from the glove box."

Err I don not think I have those tools that look like an allen key and a long rope.

Anyone know the size of the allen key if it is an allen key ?

I have photocopied the pages and will keep them in the Bongo just in case.

Post by **Ian** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 8:03 pm

BongoBongo123 wrote:Anyone know the size of the allen key if it is an allen key ?

It's 9mm

BongoBongo123 · Post by **BongoBongo123** » Fri Jul 25, 2014 1:32 pm

Cool ! Got a long washing line as well now to keep in with the bongo in case this occurs.

Howie1501 · Post by **Howie1501** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 4:39 pm

Right guys I've had enough of messing around with the electric roof.......!!!

I've now removed the roof motors and the AFT roof struts so the roof is now totaly manual like a VW. The gas struts help when raising the roof but they're not strong enough to hold it open so I've now cut a ally pole to length which props the roof up. I now know I'm never going to be stuck with the roof in the up possition. The roof when traveling is held dow with rubber ball and socket straps.
The only problem I have is...... the roof alarm will not shut up.....!!!!
Does enyone know how to shut it up without getting to the sounder? My kitchen is in the way so I can't get to the off side wheel arch.

If anyone wants a "how to do" on converting the roof to manual I'll put a fact sheet together.

I know some of you will think I've done wrong but I needed to be sure I can come and go as I please, not when the Bongo wants to.

Howie

Gasy · Post by **Gasy** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 5:13 pm

There is a micro switch on the roof which stops the beeps
The bits you removed must of been the bits that hit the micro switch

Is the roof heavy to put up

Howie1501 · Post by **Howie1501** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 6:52 pm

Hi Gasy,

The roof with the gas struts fitted is easy to put up but lowering it gets quite heavy when its nearly closed. Don't get me wrong you don't need to be a body builder, my Mrs can do it easy.

Post by **Simon Jones** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:01 pm

Top microswitch can be seen here to the right of the rail and there is a corresponding one at the bottom.

cmm303 · Post by **cmm303** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 8:54 pm

Do ageing gas struts contribute to a reluctant roof? Its easy to tell when a tailgate won't stay up and hits you on the head

, the roof is a bit more secretive!

Howie1501 · Post by **Howie1501** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 11:42 am

Hi guys,

I've shorted out the micro switches now and the alarm has stopped.......Great.

Back on the road and getting ready for the next trip.

Thanks for all your replies.

Howie

AFT Roof wont raise or close.

AFT Roof wont raise or close.

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