Instructional video for Beetle Convertibles

[pencilneck]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ_oLqmHX0Y

I've put this video together to help others get a better understanding the Roof Electronics for the Beetle Convertible. If you have any questions or comments, just let me know.

Thank you.

[billymade]

Excellent! More of these types of videos using vcds would be great! I have had the vcds for quite awhile; I know I am only scratching the surface of all the things it can do! Have you seen the bentley self study manuals from VWoA? Its the training they sent out to the dealers; it is part of the VW "self study program", I have not gotten any of these but I would think it would be a excellent training tool! Having never seen one; it maybe just enough "introductory information" that it may not be very useful for repairs... who knows! The also show some of the training videos about the convertible too! Check it out here:

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/vid...e.training.htm

Quite a few more; evap. system, emissions, transmissions, and other things as well:

Bentley Publishers - Repair Manuals and Automotive Books

[Palafox]

This is AWESOME!!!

Need to watch a few times, interesting and very helpful.

[58and03beetles]

fricken RAD!
wish i knew about this trick when it was 40 degrees outside after a day at the beach and my top wouldnt go up- that was a harsh ride home! i had to open the top pump handle and red release loops and push the top up, never did this again- fixed itself, but it got stuck part way up like in the video, going up not down.

[Duffy]

Where have you been? Keep these kind of videos coming! Makes me want to buy the Ross-Tech VCDS. Need a book on this kind of stuff too.

[miffmole]

Thank you for posting this video.

You'd described to me earlier about one person lifting the passenger side of the top to close it (when the top is getting closed and open data simultaneously) while the other person operates the switch, but I never could visualize what you meant.

Now I do.

[kelleygraves2]

This is an awesome video thank you so much for posting this! I really hope you will share some more of your knowledge with us

[Palafox]

Originally Posted by pencilneck

If you have any questions or comments, just let me know.

What's the reason for the fourth bit? going from 1 to 0 after 12" of movement? Seems the engineers are expecting the 12" distance to be a threshold for something?

[58and03beetles]

12" is the balance point of the frame

[pencilneck]

12" is not a balancing point. If one were to open the "toggle bolt" (the valve on the hydraulic pump), then the top would just drop back down onto the windshield frame.

As noted in the video, the F171 is really 2 different micro switches. They are in a single plastic body that has a sliding arm. The sliding arm has a small raised spot that will trigger one or the other of the switches. This is all fitted to the right side hydraulic cylinder. I don't think it is part of any grand plan to send an open signal for the first 12" or so, but rather just how it works out.

When both of the F171 switches do get activated, then the following DTC is flagged:

02000- Switch position
008 - implausible signal

Just so you know the F171 is part number 1Y0 959 985 A.

[Palafox]

sweet, thanks for the answer

Since F171 is a sliding arm, the only way for both switches to activate is if one is sticking?... can we see or lube this switch easily?

The way your assistant push the top, is that how the top would fail? what if the top is in another position ie full up or full down and E137 switch doesn't work, should we try the same remedy?

[Palafox]

Is there another switch?

Those boot cover pushers that go in the slots, do they set off another switch? What happens if I hit the pwr top button with the boot installed? will it try and push the top up? of course I won't dare try it

[pencilneck]

The Top Tonneau Cover is F328 which was not mentioned in the video. It is the 2nd bit in field 3.

VW Beetle (1Y) Roof Electronics - Ross-Tech Wiki

If the roof electronics sees an active signal from the F328, then the top will not operate. I've seen the F328 switch stick a few times over the years, but I've never replaced one.

As for trying to lube a sticking F171 switch, I've never tried it. One might try spraying it down with contact cleaner and hope for the best.

If the F171 switch were to be stuck in the "open" position, then as the top is closed, about 12" from being closed the pump would stop. But all you would need to do is loosen the valved on the pump an the top will just drop down to the windshield frame. I've never seen a sticking "open" switch.

If the F171 switches never send a signal at all, then the pump motor would keep on pumping even after the roof was fully opened or fully closed.