How to remove black square on t6.1 roof for spraying

vwjack

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T6 Guru
So the black square thing on the roof of the t6.1....how do you get it off? I think you get it from inside where the interior lights are. There's a bolt inside there with a wire on?
If i do unbolt this is it going to mess anything up? Make lights come on or things to stop working etc.
I want to have it sprayed to colour code to my van but the sprayer didn't want to remove it incase he broke anything, but also wouldn't spray it in place as it has a rubber seal to the roof so said it would just flake over time. Needs to come off.

Thanks in advance for any help
 
Will be a fixing on the inside, assume you'd get to it by removing the panel where the SOS button is.
 
Yeah that's it. Then theres a wire to a bolt on the roof. Which i presume once undone the black thing will come off.
Would thing light my dash up with lots of unwanted warning lights and faults or stop things from working.
 
Presume this it's it. If I undo the bolt will the black square just come off then? Will tgere be problems / faults/ lights etc if i do?

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Hi Jack , looks just like a typical aerial connection to me .
Unplug the wire , undo the nut and give it a wiggle .
 
Yes, just undo the nut and it will lift off. The worst bit will be getting the trim/SOS console off if you’ve never done it before. First time I did it to insulate and sound deaden cab roof and install dash cam took me about 30 minutes as I went gingerly so as not to break any clips. Next time I had the ‘knack’ and seriously only took me 5 minutes.
Did you get sorted if not I’m sure I’ve got loads of pictures of the clips etc to give you an idea.
 
Yes, just undo the nut and it will lift off. The worst bit will be getting the trim/SOS console off if you’ve never done it before. First time I did it to insulate and sound deaden cab roof and install dash cam took me about 30 minutes as I went gingerly so as not to break any clips. Next time I had the ‘knack’ and seriously only took me 5 minutes.
Did you get sorted if not I’m sure I’ve got loads of pictures of the clips etc to give you an idea.
No I've not done it yet nate, was going to tackle it next weekend and sound deaden the cab roof and floor, and drop the thing to the body shop to spray. Did it bring any fault codes up? Nothing that can't be cleared by a carista i guess?

Yes if you could send me some pictures that would be great, id really appreciate that 👍🏼
 
No problems. I’ll have to dig the photos off the PC but will post over the next day or so. From recollection I unplugged everything in the SOS unit including the antenna. I had to drive for a while with the headlining out and SOS unit out. I did get faults (SOS unit obviously) but these cleared after everything was then plugged in after I drove off the drive, turned off ignition and restarted. 👍👍

As I say I’ll post some photos which will ‘jog my memory’ for some tips on how to get some of the difficult clips out. (They can be fragile 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️).
 
Ok so I've found some photos for reference. (Apologies for gratuitous 'dump')

There are posts/info on here and possibly YouTube on how to get off the SoS unit but my recollection is such: Apologies I'm not sure how far YOU will have to go to get to the 'other' end of your Antenna connection or if you'll have to remove or certainly loosen off the headlining, but you may well be able to pull the connection out into the open once you've dismantled/partly removed the Headlining Console. Again on here there are plenty of bits of info, but do post again if you get stuck or PM me direct.

With ignition off....

Use trim tools to get the front alarm section of Console out which is for courtesy lights etc, and unplug. Just prise it out but as always go steady.
Same again for SoS section.
Same again for rear AirBag section.

To make life easier I then pushed in (towards front of van), the 'Cubby Hole Blank or Blank for Leisure Heater Controls etc' next to the Head Lining at the rear. Some say it's moulded in and you cant unclip it, but it's not (well not on my T6.1) and I've put a photo below to show the clips so you have an idea. If you push from the outside and try and work from within the cowling to ease the clips off it will give.
There are then some torx screws to loosen the Cowl surround. But at this stage you may well just be able to get to your Antenna Bolt, and ease the connection to be accessible??
If not, slip loose the cowl, but from recollection, you have to ease out /disconnect the Alarm sensors before the cowl can be completely taken away. You'll need to plug the alarm bit back in again and leave it hanging, to lock the van without the alarm going off (I did).
If you go want to the drive around 'mid-job' and you are worried about Dash errors, simply plug the bits back in again but cable tie them out the way. Im pretty sure I didn't (just the alarm bit) but just to be safe I'd do it, as I'd hate to put you in a spot!

Antenna should just unbolt and lift off. (Some photo's show cable connection and bolt location)

Top tip that I did was, when removing the cowl surround, the rear clips (towards rear of van) are an absolute PITA!!!!!! (See phot 8 just before the sound deadening on roof) to get off without fear of snapping something. That's why I removed the cubby hole blank. Then from where the light/SoS bits go, I slid up a robust flat bladed screw driver and use this to help prise/release the clips rather than just pull on it for fear of snapping something. I slid it between the bottom of the metal clip, and the plastic tang and kind of twisted to help force the tang out (you'll get the gist I'm sure).
Please don't rely 'exactly' on my sequence as it's been a while, but if your considering attempting it you don't strike me as an idiot (no offence), so it will become apparent how it comes off. As I posted above, the first time I did it took me what seemed like ages going gingerly and feeling my way. Next day I took it off again as I wasn't happy with one bit of my wiring routes and I had it out in about 10 minutes with total confidence. Be slow but deliberate and search the guides on here.

Hopefully photos will help too.

Any more PM me

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Edit to say you can just see where plastic (Let me break if you force me) Tang, goes into one of those VW metal trim clip/grips, hence use of screwdriver rather than just yank it off.
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Edit to say now I've looked at this last photo again, you may??? have to remove or loosen off the front of the Head Lining to gain access to antenna connection. plenty of guides on here but do PM.
 
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Thats brilliant!! Tha ks so much for your help... when I get round to doing it, hopefully this weekend i will let you know how I get on.
Thanks again for you help 👍🏼
 
No problem. Pity you're not nearer or i'd say come round for a brew and we'll get it cracked.
 
Ahh yeah thats a shame, I would have taken you up on that offer. Love a brew.
Your help here with the pictures etc is next best thing 👍🏼
 
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