Roof stuck open - Urgent request

[kirsty]

I'm parked up in a Spanish desert in high winds and dust storms. After sleeping in high winds this morning the roof of my bongo won't close. There is no roof sensor sound until I start the engine and release the handbrake. I have downloaded the info on how to manually close the roof. I can attempt to do this. The info then says the van must be driven no faster than 40km an hour and I'm in Spain and Spanish Mazda dealers/garages don't recognise this vehicle or how to fix it. Therefore I would need to get it back to the UK. Driving at this speed? Aaaaargh. Is there anything else I can try to release the roof before doing something this drastic? Many thanks

[g8dhe]

Did the roof move at all, wondering if the sand has got into the runners, but it could just as easily been the wind causing the cables/motors to have a problem, before you lower it have a good look at the cables and see if they have dislodged at the rear or if any of the motor mounting points have come loose. The cables are not the electrical ones but the ones that drive the roof mechanically metal tubes with telliflex cables inside that push the runners up/down.

[teenmal]

It would probably be worthwhile trying to locate a Coachbuilders/Body shop/caravan dealers, you never know.

[mikeonb4c]

I think you can use common sense about travelling speed, as long as the roof is securely strapped down.

Assume you're familiar with lowering the roof and the need to press the Lock-Cancel button in the roof before it will lower?

How high was the wind? Could sand have got into any sensors? Any visible sign of damage?

If desperate i'm sure Adrian at JapanDirect wouldn't mind you calling for advice on what emergency work a local garage could do. He's dealt with countless numbers of failed AFT roofs. His UK number is 0161 763 3003

[cmm303]

checked fuses?
By drivers knee, middle row, 2nd (blue) and 4th (green) from left

[kirsty]

Thank you to everyone for your speedy responses. With a combination of your advice I have managed to get it closed without resorting to the manual close. I am so pleased. I couldn't have done it without you.Thanks again, Kirsty

[g8dhe]

Do let us know what needed doing as we can then pass the advice on to others, or was it the Un-lock button ?

[cmm303]

On tenterhooks, please share your solution!!

[mikeonb4c]

Thank you to everyone for your speedy responses. With a combination of your advice I have managed to get it closed without resorting to the manual close. I am so pleased. I couldn't have done it without you.Thanks again, Kirsty

Excellent news and hopefully its still serviceable

[redrocket]

Howdy, this is my first ever post but i had this problem while i was converting the inside of the van, luckily it was on my drive but was panicking as i had an MOT booked for the next day and wanted to be away the coming weekend so i spent all day trying to figure out what to do. Anyhow you can apply direct 12v to bring the roof down, provided the motors havent burnt out and the wires powering it havent got a break in it somewhere, doubtful as they are meaty cables.

If you are stood at the rear of the bongo with the tailgate up, on the lower right handside, behind the rear wall panel, you will finding a little black box (AFT Control unit) with two socket plugs being wired into it, itll be held to the van by one nut. if you disconnect the 4 pin plug the bottom two pins 1D and 1B on this wiring diagram http://www.g8dhe.net/bwm/bwmanualp.htm?1995/Page_116 you can apply the positive to the one and negative to the other, if it doesnt come down, simply reverse the polarity. we're all carrying a 12v battery just need to locate some wire.

Disclaimer: do not cross the positive with the negative unless you like fireworks

Hopefully this will help someone