Roof won't close - three note warning tone

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A1Dan75
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Joined: Thu May 31, 2018 11:03 pm

Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by A1Dan75 »

Wow, a whole forum just for roof problems! To be expected with such dark magic I guess.

So I've tried searching through and can't find any accounts of exactly this problem, though there's so may posts in here I've doubtless missed something.

My roof goes down fine, and used to go up fine too. But now while driving with it down I start getting a warning tone of three rising notes in a row - kicks in at about 10mph. When I then come to a stop and try to raise the roof, it doesn't move and just makes that same three note beeping sound.

I've managed to get it to work by opening and shutting the boot a load of times before, but it's got worse and this doesn't seem to work anymore.

I'm assuming it's a microswitch problem, and the car thinks something isn't properly in place to go ahead with closing. If this is the case, is there any straightforward way for me to work out which switch and fix it? Or does it need to go to a garage with diagnostic tools?

Or am I barking up the wrong tree anyway?

Cheers!

IanL
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by IanL »

The roof switches are shown here.

I would check E and J first. My understanding is that the switch should conduct when the position monitored is in the state used in the title, i.e. a "cover locked" switch will conduct when the cover is in the locked condition.

A1Dan75
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by A1Dan75 »

Thanks Ian, that sounds a good start. Will get the multimeter out over the weekend!

A1Dan75
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by A1Dan75 »

Never did manage to get this properly sorted...

It does appear to be those boot lid catches, E & J that cause the problem. If I fiddle around with that catch the issue generally stops, but it only takes a bit of a bumpy journey for it to come back. I've ended up having to do quite a few manual closes (after which it's all fine when I lower it again, until it next goes wrong!), and that's getting pretty tedious, so it needs sorting.

So, if anybody can advise on any of the following, it'd be really appreciated!:

I couldn't really even access those two microswitches to manipulate them or test their resistance in different positions. Am I right in thinking this is what i should be trying to check first, and if so, any tips on ways to do so?

That whole boot lid catch mechanism is quite confusing, with the white clips that you drop into a lower whole after a manual close, but seem to need to be in the upper whole if you want to lower the roof again. Any clarity on what that's all about would be good.

Given the above, I'm not entirely sure if it is the switches that are at fault, or if the catches themselves are dodgy, possibly sticking in the wrong position. Again, anything to check?

Finally, assuming I don't really make much progress with the above, and decide to just get it sorted at a garage, would any old local mechanic be able to diagnose and fix the problem, or is the roof all a bit specialist for that / does it need to go to Peugeot?
Any idea how much I'd be looking at paying? I assume not much if it is just changing the switches...

Thanks in advance!

IanL
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by IanL »

I'm no expert, but I understand that the catches are operated by cables, and the cables are adjustable. Maybe one or both are too tight, so they are not allowing the catch to operate fully?

Image

The mechanisms are explained here, to an extent, and this video is helpful (see 4.30 and 6.40 points).

I don't think the average Peugeot garage will be much help, but they will be happy to charge you while they tinker. The experts are here.

A1Dan75
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by A1Dan75 »

Thanks Ian. I'll try fiddling with the cables, but I'm not too optimistic, as the fault time starts without even trying to put the roof up. And when you do try, it just makes the sound without any attempt to move anything first.

Do you know if there's any guidance around in here on how to access and test the micro switches, as this seems like the best place to start still?

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Rubyoptics
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by Rubyoptics »

It sounds like one or more of the micro switches are sticking in place? Personally I would get a can of compressed air, give them a quick blow over and perhaps a wipe over with a non lint cloth lightly sprayed with wd40 or similar.
2003 2.0. Dyno'd @ 134BHP. 2.5" full stainless exhaust system, lexus style rear lights, LED sidelights and interiors. Latest mod - Full stainless steel Group N gear linkages.

IanL
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by IanL »

Don't use WD40 - it's a dirt magnet. The good stuff is electrical contact cleaning spray - it leaves no residue.

Another possibility is the "electro-mechanical valve" (see the video) Remove the part which projects from the pump casing (it's a solenoid) and give it a pulse or two of 12V - it may be sticking. That worked for someone else, but I don't think it would give rise to the warning tone you are getting before starting the raise cycle.

My understanding on the white clips is that, in the normal position, the latches are controlled by the cables, but in the manual position, the latches are free to move under hand pressure when you push the lid shut. My guess is that, in your case, the push is better at fully operating the catch than the cable-operated action when closing under power; hence my suggestion to try adjusting the cables - particularly as the Service Box tells you to do so.

I understand your doubt is caused by the fact that the roof is refusing to go up, not down, but the three beep warning is happening before you operate the raise control, which suggests that the roof ECU is being told that the lid is not correctly latched. In that situation, I think it is not allowed to move the roof, for fear of damage.

A1Dan75
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by A1Dan75 »

It does sound like that - the problem doesn't first arise when you try and do anything with the roof, it arises while driving around with it down.

I actually managed by 15 minute drive home from the station without it happening last night, for the first time in a week or two. I achieved this by just driving very slowly and carefully, taking extra care at any sign of a pothole or speed hump. Being able to pull up in my drive and just put the roof up without any problems was lovely, but I'm not sure I can drive like an old granny much longer!
Last edited by A1Dan75 on Thu Jun 28, 2018 1:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Rubyoptics
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by Rubyoptics »

Good point about the WD40 Ian. I stand corrected, thanks.
2003 2.0. Dyno'd @ 134BHP. 2.5" full stainless exhaust system, lexus style rear lights, LED sidelights and interiors. Latest mod - Full stainless steel Group N gear linkages.

A1Dan75
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Joined: Thu May 31, 2018 11:03 pm

Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by A1Dan75 »

Rubyoptics wrote:It sounds like one or more of the micro switches are sticking in place? Personally I would get a can of compressed air, give them a quick blow over and perhaps a wipe over with a non lint cloth lightly sprayed with wd40 or similar.
Would the fact that when I put the roof down, it initially thinks it's fine to go back up again, but then after some driving not suggest different to this? Ie, the switches must all move to their correct positions on lowering the roof, but then somehow something slips out of position.... rather than it sticking int he wrong position to start.
Or have I got that all back-to-front?
Last edited by A1Dan75 on Thu Jun 28, 2018 2:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

A1Dan75
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by A1Dan75 »

IanL wrote: I don't think the average Peugeot garage will be much help, but they will be happy to charge you while they tinker. The experts are here.
Thanks for the link, Ian. Telford is a bit of a way for me... especially for anything that might involve leaving the car with them.

You'r right that there don't seem to be a whole lot of other people who confidently claim CC roof expertise.
I've been looking locally, and found a couple of independent peugeot specialists:

paris-autos. co . uk/citroen-peugeot-french-car-specialists/

pugbitz . com/

(had to break those URLs up, because apparently I'm not authorised to post links)

Are they likely to be better than the local peugeot dealer, or just as expensive and clueless?

IanL
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by IanL »

I can't see anything on the sites to raise my confidence.

I've just had a look in my boot, and the cable adjusters are clearly visible. As long as you write down what you do (how many flats in which direction) so that you can set it back to where it was if necessary, what have you got to loose?

IanL
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by IanL »

A1Dan75 wrote:
Rubyoptics wrote:It sounds like one or more of the micro switches are sticking in place? Personally I would get a can of compressed air, give them a quick blow over and perhaps a wipe over with a non lint cloth lightly sprayed with wd40 or similar.
Would the fact that when I put the roof down, it initially thinks it's fine to go back up again, but then after some driving not suggest different to this? Ie, the switches must all move to their correct positions on lowering the roof, but then somehow something slips out of position.... rather than it sticking int he wrong position to start.
Or have I got that all back-to-front?
You have it right. My money is on one of the latches not quite going into position, such that it slips out a bit on a bump.

A1Dan75
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Re: Roof won't close - three note warning tone

Post by A1Dan75 »

IanL wrote:I can't see anything on the sites to raise my confidence.

I've just had a look in my boot, and the cable adjusters are clearly visible. As long as you write down what you do (how many flats in which direction) so that you can set it back to where it was if necessary, what have you got to loose?
Cool, I'll have a fiddle with those.

I guess maybe if they cables are a bit loose they may close, but not hold very well, and be prone to letting the catches slip?