Help Needed - Golf Cabrio *FIXORED*

[Cheggers]

Hi All,

 

Knowing how popular they are with certain correspondents ( ), can anyone help with a 1995 Golf mk3 Cabrio problem. The power hood isn't working...the switch is operating OK when tested with a meter, but there doesn't seem to be any power getting to the switch. If I take the relay out and directly wire the hood pump to the battery it works fine, so it looks like some kind of switching problem. I'm assuming the circuit consists of hood switch, relay and ignition switch...are there any known weaknesses, or are there any sensors etc. I've missed.

 

Cheers!!

[warren t claim]

An electric hood works in much the same way as a tail lift on a van, maybe a commercial vehicle specialist might be able to help you?

[Cheggers]

Thanks Warren - Part of the problem is that the leccy hood seems to have been thought of some time after the design of the rest of the car, as the relay is conveniently situated under the back seat and god alone knows where the fuse is (assuming there is one)

[Pillock]

A hunt around the intertubez reveals there to be no fuse, power goes straight to the relay. A couple of sites mention that these power cables can break (sounds wonderfully safe, unfused power straight from the battery?) so you could try running a temp wire from the battery to the relay live and then operate the switch?

 

If you know the switch works, and the motor works when you apply power to it, it can only be the relay or the feed to it. Sounds a pretty simple system, like you say a bit of an afterthought.

[trigger]

A Golf Mk3 with electrical problems?, I don't believe you!.

 

I was just having a hunt for my owners manual to see if there's any mention of fuses but it seems mine didn't come with one, It's typical that these things break whilst in the middle of a heat wave.

[Cheggers]

I know the cables are OK as I jumpered across the relay socket and the roof opened & closed OK. The confusing part is that there was no voltage to the switch...ignition maybe??

[Station]

Is your wiring anything like this?

 

http://vwtech.no-ip.info/downloads/g1powerhood.pdf

 

It says there are four relays, but this is for the mk1 Golf. Two of the relays are for the ignition circuit (so you can't raise it or lower it while driving).

 

I'd say your relay is kaput. Switch is probably earthed when it switches, have you tried power at both sides of the terminals?

[messerschmitt owner]

is the handbrake on when you try the switch?

 

Normally, to stop the roof going up or down when moving, the roof only works when handbrake is applied.

[Cheggers]

Fuggin' wars (to quote Mr , this is getting complicated. I think the next stage is to run a known live feed to the switch and see if that proves anything. If that works, bosh it back together & get it sold (it's my sister-in-laws...)

[Rod/b]

Personally, i'd take the switch out and blank the hole off, rip the rams out and pretend it only ever had a manual roof.

[trigger]

On these the roof only works with the key in the ignition but in the "Off" position. maybe the problem is ignition related?.

[Cheggers]

I finally found time to look at the SiL's Golf Cabrio today, and by running a known live feed to the switch it works!!- I could rip half the car apart looking for the hidden fuse/ wire break, but just can't be arsed. Thanks all for your suggestions