AFT roof (was stuck open and now stuck down)

[johnnybongo]

Eyup from Donny, After following the user manual's instructions on how to get a roof down when it is stuck open, I travelled all around europe for three weeks with it tied down,but now I need to get it back up to start fixing it. Does anyone know if there is a series of nuts holding it down from the inside? as we've tried the musclepower method suggested and it dunt work. If there is a row of nuts holding it down, I'm guessing I'd have to remove the headlining to get to them. (anyone ever had rooflining off to see?, and if so how easy is it to get to?) Ta very much.

[Jolly Rogers]

Sorry don't know how to, Im sure someone will be along shortly and explain how.
Good Luck

[francophile1947]

I don't know, but I can't think it will be nuts as it wouldn't go up with the motors

[MountainGoat]

Try this I posted this earlier.

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.

PM sent:

[johnnybongo]

At the rear of the van roof in either corner there are two blanking plugs with nuts underneath them which fix to thread coming out of the roof, I'm imagining that there will be several of these under the headlining thats all. In the owners manual it says once you have removed the motors ,pulled the aft down and tied the rope off, to take it to the dealer to be fixed. I've just got it in me head that they're not going to be relying on four strong men and brute force at the dealership to get the roof back up,hence there must be a nuts and bolts way of fixing it, or at least thats what I'm hoping.

[Doone]

We've never removed the roof itself so can't help you with that. We have removed the tent part and there are pictures on the 'Bongo tips' page of our website which show the exposed roof with hinge at the rear, if this helps.

During the summer, Allan took several calls from Bongo owners whose roofs were stuck open. In all cases, the problem was with the connector blocks in the (drivers side) rear corner of the roof. I don't know if you checked them? If not, they are 2 pairs of white blocks and can be easily seen (from outside) when the roof is open. They are exposed to the elements when roof is open. The cure was to pull the blocks apart, clean them, (spray with WD40) and reconnect. The trouble is Al can't think of a way to access these with the roof shut. Unless you have very long arms and are thin enough to crawl into the roof space...

[mikeonb4c]

During the summer, Allan took several calls from Bongo owners whose roofs were stuck open. In all cases, the problem was with the connector blocks in the (drivers side) rear corner of the roof. I don't know if you checked them? If not, they are 2 pairs of white blocks and can be easily seen (from outside) when the roof is open. They are exposed to the elements when roof is open. The cure was to pull the blocks apart, clean them, (spray with WD40) and reconnect. The trouble is Al can't think of a way to access these with the roof shut. Unless you have very long arms and are thin enough to crawl into the roof space...

That is a REALLY useful tip (factsheet stuff). As you say, a pity about the Catch 22 stuff when the roof is down. I'm going to start scratching my head for a solution on that one

[johnnybongo]

Thanks for keeping on thinking about it for me lads. I'm properly scratching my head. (am wondering if any UK mazda dealers would be able to access any info on how to get the lid up?, or do they not want to know us?)

[westonwarrior]

Try a couple of phone calls

Bell Hill
Wheel quick

Ask them for advice both a very helpfull and Im sure if any one has sorted this they will have

[Bob]

Thanks for keeping on thinking about it for me lads. I'm properly scratching my head. (am wondering if any UK mazda dealers would be able to access any info on how to get the lid up?, or do they not want to know us?)

Normaly Mazda dealers either don't want to know, or charge HUGE money, best avoided if poss. Weston Warriors ideas are sound.

[Hippotastic]

Excuse me if I am being daft.

Will the locking machanism that is holding it down not release if you press the roof lift button in the rrof? I know you disconnected the motors, but the locks too?

[johnnybongo]

Well, I can try it tomorrow and I'll let you know if you're being daft. Meanwhile ,does anyone have any contact details for Bell hill or Wheelquick please?

[mister munkey]

Wheel Quick 01942 217800

[westonwarrior]

and Bell Hill 01373 834252

[Hippotastic]

Well, I can try it tomorrow and I'll let you know if you're being daft. Meanwhile ,does anyone have any contact details for Bell hill or Wheelquick please?

Well was I being daft, and if that did not help, how have you solved the problem? Have you solved the problem?