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AFT Failure
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 1:11 pm
by bongolier
1997, 2.5 TD, with previously reliable AFT.
In attempting to raise the roof, the warning bleeper does sound, but there are no mechanical sounds from either of the roof motors, which would seem to point to either a failure of the roof control panel or an open circuit in the micro-switch controlling the "up" position.
The AFT Factsheet contains a section headed "Maintenance & repairs" which seems to point to the location of the control panel.
Before I strip the interior in order to find the relevant motor connectors and temporarily override the control panel, has any member managed to access the control panel or connectors?
Is there a way of accessing the control panel without first removing the rear conversion cabinet-work and the interior offside lower rear corner trim panel?
Any photographs would be a real bonus.
Edward
Re: AFT Failure
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 2:57 pm
by g8dhe
If the roof hasn't been used for a while over winter, several people have had success, by switching up/down LOTS of times, the motors can some times corrode up inside and by swinging them to and fro its enough to clear some of it out the way and free it up sufficiently to raise the roof and access the motors for cleaning there is another good factsheet on that as well.
Otherwise worth checking the 30Amp fuse that powers the motor and relay first;

After that you will need to look at the control panel and try bypassing it using the 4-pin plug
1A > 1B & 1C > 1D
and for the other direction
1A > 1D & 1C > 1B
for the other. See here for connection details on the plugs;

Re: AFT Failure
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 8:58 pm
by mikeonb4c
I opted for two new roof motors when this happened to me (twice - the 2nd time after a replacement 2nd hand motor had been fitted). Expensive but would have been less so if I'd done it in the first place. Had no trouble since. Use it or lose it is the rule. I don't use mine enough but hopefully their newness will give me several years of reliability even if only used occasionally.
Re: AFT Failure
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 1:23 am
by bongolier
Thanks g8dhe and mikeonb4c for the rapid replies.
I have checked 30amp fuse - if the fuse is removed then the roof alarm remains silent; replacing the fuse and activating the roof switch then activates the alarm, but there is no noise from either motor.
Following your advice, I will exercise to roof switch in the hope of bring the relays and motors to life. However, it seems strange that neither of the motors activate - I would at least expect a grunt from one or other motor.
On closer inspection of g8dhe's connection details diagram, there is a 15 amp fuse that supplies power to the AFT control module. Where is that fuse physically located?
Also, if anyone could answer the two question in my original post I would be most grateful.
Edward
Re: AFT Failure
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 1:46 am
by Northern Bongolow
i dont know which conversion you have but in original form you can pull out the small bin in the offside rear panel after undoing the securing screw in the bottom, then reach through to the rear, the control box is fastened to the outer panel, its about the size of a fag packet, you may be able to follow the wiring loom back and find it that way.
67-7L0 on this link, it looks like it may pull off its mounting.
http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html
Re: AFT Failure
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 11:44 am
by g8dhe
Umm That's odd removing the the 30Amp fuse shouldn't affect the bleeping, that's controlled by the 15 Amp fuse, which is why I didn't suggest checking that one!;

Are you sure you pulled the right fuse ? They are close to each other ... and the fuse powers both the AFT electronics and the Sound warning system electronics so the bleeping would go off at the front as well as at the back of the van (there are two bleepers one for AFT alone, and the general bleeper at the front which also echoes the AFT bleeper!)

Re: AFT Failure
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 12:51 pm
by Bob
If its not been opened for some while the rubber seal can stick down, might be worth checking.
Re: AFT Failure
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 7:11 pm
by Wpserle
I know this is old but does anyone have the labeled image a for the four pins on the controller plug as the link goes to a flash enabled site that no longer works!
Thank you!
[quote=g8dhe post_id=674481 time=1459346276
user_id=5006]
If the roof hasn't been used for a while over winter, several people have had success, by switching up/down LOTS of times, the motors can some times corrode up inside and by swinging them to and fro its enough to clear some of it out the way and free it up sufficiently to raise the roof and access the motors for cleaning there is another good factsheet on that as well.
Otherwise worth checking the 30Amp fuse that powers the motor and relay first;

After that you will need to look at the control panel and try bypassing it using the 4-pin plug
1A > 1B & 1C > 1D
and for the other direction
1A > 1D & 1C > 1B
for the other. See here for connection details on the plugs;

[/quote]
Re: AFT Failure
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 9:51 pm
by Wpserle
Figured it out from the wiring diagram someone else shared
Top / bottom for one direction
Diagonal for the other
I think!
Can hear the motor operating a tiny bit in each direction... I'm hoping if I keep cycling it may magically fix itself...
Rain stops play will try again tomoz!
Wpserle wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 7:11 pm
I know this is old but does anyone have the labeled image a for the four pins on the controller plug as the link goes to a flash enabled site that no longer works!
Thank you!
[quote=g8dhe post_id=674481 time=1459346276
user_id=5006]
If the roof hasn't been used for a while over winter, several people have had success, by switching up/down LOTS of times, the motors can some times corrode up inside and by swinging them to and fro its enough to clear some of it out the way and free it up sufficiently to raise the roof and access the motors for cleaning there is another good factsheet on that as well.
Otherwise worth checking the 30Amp fuse that powers the motor and relay first;

After that you will need to look at the control panel and try bypassing it using the 4-pin plug
1A > 1B & 1C > 1D
and for the other direction
1A > 1D & 1C > 1B
for the other. See here for connection details on the plugs;
[/quote]