V12VR Convertible Top Failure

[OnlyZuul]

My '15 V12 Vantage Roadster has developed a convertible top issue. Before I jump to any conclusions regarding what may have failed, I wanted to share my troubleshooting with those who may know more than I've gathered through my own research.

Initial problem: Returned home after a top-down drive. When I tried to close the top, the tonneau cover opened correctly, the top moved only 20mm or so and then the tonneau closed again. The only warning message displayed was "Roof Movement Stopped" which did not go away even if the switch was held to fully open the top.

The first step was ensuring that the battery was fully charged using my CTek charger. No change. I then tried several times to reset the system by disconnecting the battery. Each time I made sure to re-calibrate both windows. This did not change the behavior. Only the tonneau would move correctly when operating the switch.

I then had a friend assist me in closing the top manually following the procedure in the owner's manual. After this, the car gave the "Roof Failure Detected" message immediately upon start-up. The top will not move at all when the switch is activated. Again I tried more than once to reset the system by disconnecting the battery and re-calibrating windows (and seats). No change. I tried holding the switch in both the open and closed position for several seconds (as with a window reset) to no avail. I checked every related fuse, and found none to be bad. I have not experienced any problems with the gauges as is frequently reported when the roof module has failed.

So, based on all of that, is there any particular failure that fits the symptoms?

[silverspeed]

OnlyZuul said:

My '15 V12 Vantage Roadster has developed a convertible top issue. Before I jump to any conclusions regarding what may have failed, I wanted to share my troubleshooting with those who may know more than I've gathered through my own research.

Initial problem: Returned home after a top-down drive. When I tried to close the top, the tonneau cover opened correctly, the top moved only 20mm or so and then the tonneau closed again. The only warning message displayed was "Roof Movement Stopped" which did not go away even if the switch was held to fully open the top.

The first step was ensuring that the battery was fully charged using my CTek charger. No change. I then tried several times to reset the system by disconnecting the battery. Each time I made sure to re-calibrate both windows. This did not change the behavior. Only the tonneau would move correctly when operating the switch.

I then had a friend assist me in closing the top manually following the procedure in the owner's manual. After this, the car gave the "Roof Failure Detected" message immediately upon start-up. The top will not move at all when the switch is activated. Again I tried more than once to reset the system by disconnecting the battery and re-calibrating windows (and seats). No change. I tried holding the switch in both the open and closed position for several seconds (as with a window reset) to no avail. I checked every related fuse, and found none to be bad. I have not experienced any problems with the gauges as is frequently reported when the roof module has failed.

So, based on all of that, is there any particular failure that fits the symptoms?

I had an issue with my previous roadster due to failure of the external temperature sensor . Is this reading an accurate temp on the display?

[LTP]

AFAIK the roof system is hydraulic, with a controller and limit switches to tell the controller when each part of the choreography has successfully completed so the next one can start. It sounds like the system never received a signal that the tonneau had opened correctly for the roof to start deploying, so it stopped. I have also read that controllers themselves can fail, but this is often accompanied by many spurious electronic warnings on the dash as the failed modules send multiple error signals into the CAN network.

Now you have used the emergency procedure the roof system probably has no idea where it is in the cycle and it may be sulking if it's not getting a correct signal from one of the switches

[OnlyZuul]

silverspeed said:

I had an issue with my previous roadster due to failure of the external temperature sensor . Is this reading an accurate temp on the display?

Thanks. I checked the temperature and it's reported correctly.

[South tdf]

Both my previous Roadsters had roof modules changed under warranty and both times the dash lit up.

My last one also got stuck down as something comes loose near the inner wheel arch which was covered under warranty and is apparently becoming more common. The initial symptoms before failure were it closed with a bit of a thud.

[OnlyZuul]

South tdf said:

The initial symptoms before failure were it closed with a bit of a thud.

Is the thud you are describing the final movement as the top meets the windscreen? Mine certainly came down much harder than I thought was "right". I often used my hand to ease the drop.

[Likeomg]

My 15 plate also did it, came back from a drive got half way and stopped... dealers sent a enclosed car transporter for it, it was the control module

[South tdf]

Sorry this is not much help but the roof seemed to get louder from both the top rail when shutting and when the lid closed. Whilst mine was in the dealer they had a similar Vantage in their words “in a worse state than mine”.

Hope it’s a simple fix