2010 DBS Volante Roof Stuck open

[Paul-DBSV12V]

Went out for a drive earlier. First time since November due to lockdown

Roof lowered fine but then noticed when I stopped that quarterlights were stopped half way down.

Now roof won't raise. When I press button hydraulic pump runs but tonneau doesn't open. There is a clunk from one side and it moves slightly, but just stays closed.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Paul

[Aldhun]

I had a very similar problem with my 2010 DB9.

The cause was one of the electric motors which raise the tonneau cover needed replacing. The replacement cost was circa £1,600 and was not coverd by the AM extended Warranty costing circa £2,100 as these motors are explicitly excluded if damaged by water!

I now take great care washing the car...

[mrpseudonym]

Could be the roof module. I’d check the service history to see if it has ever been replaced. I haven’t met a Volante yet that hasn’t had it replaced in the first 10 years..

[Simonamvr]

Had exactly same problem on my V8 vantage roadster, wanted to close but couldn't.
It was a catch on the tonneau.
Give Mcgurks a ring for advice they fixed mine.

[Paul-DBSV12V]

Thanks for your help. One thing I omitted to mention was that at one point the instrument cluster lit up like a Christmas tree, and then subsequently went dark, then started working again.

Just watched a video in you tube about roof module failure and it seems like that is a sign.

Anyone else experience that.

Thanks

Paul

[Paul-DBSV12V]

Good news is it's all working again this morning.

So points to roof module. Prob best to replace before I get stuck in the rain.

Paul

[ragpicker]

Roof module lives in one of the rear wheel liners. Dead easy to swap out. Might save you a few quid if you source one yourself.

[Paul-DBSV12V]

I read they had to coded to the car by the stealers. Is that right

[Green9]

From my research the roof modules do have to be coded - they’re not “plug and play”. Mine played up twice last summer but only when the car was left in the sun for a few hours - ie it was definitely temperature-related.

I’d be amazed if these roof modules (made by Webasto I believe) are unique to Aston - I’d love to know if they’re shared by Volvos and Jags of the era - I’ll have a look.

[abanks]

Had the same issue on my previous 2005 DB9 - started as an intermittent problem then one day failed completely and dash lit up like a Christmas tree and lost indicators and speedo etc. Managed to get the car home then pulled the roof module fuse and everything reset itself.

Always worse on really hot days which is typically when the roof is open but the module reset itself when left overnight in cool garage. So agree it is electronics / components in module affected by temperature.

I changed the module myself and got dealer to reprogram the module for me.

[AWV12]

It is indeed probably the well known issue with the roof module that is located somewhere on the left rear. It can not stand heat very well, so when parked in the sun........they can fail (and send lot of signals on the CANBUS, therefore other modules can get crazy too, including the dash lights).

If you let it cool down, it works again (so you can close the roof) but of course you need a new one.
The new one can fail also over time, so mine got refurbished, with special/extra cooling ribs, and no problems since.

[Paul-DBSV12V]

AWV12 said:

It is indeed probably the well known issue with the roof module that is located somewhere on the left rear. It can not stand heat very well, so when parked in the sun........they can fail (and send lot of signals on the CANBUS, therefore other modules can get crazy too, including the dash lights).

If you let it cool down, it works again (so you can close the roof) but of course you need a new one.
The new one can fail also over time, so mine got refurbished, with special/extra cooling ribs, and no problems since.

Hi, who did you get to refurbish?

Thanks.

[AWV12]

Paul-DBSV12V said:

Hi, who did you get to refurbish?

Thanks.

My dealer (in NL) did (they have a guy who know how to improve electronic modules like this).

Edited by AWV12 on Sunday 14th June 07:33

[JonnyCJ]

Paul-DBSV12V said:

Hi, who did you get to refurbish?

Thanks.

Give BBA Reman a call - they're whizzes at sorting out electrical issues and remanufacturing various modules http://www.bba-reman.com/gb/index.aspx

[Green9]

I have the same issue - only happens on very hot days - and so have now bought a new roof ECU/CRM.

Please can someone confirm once and for all whether, once fitted, it will need to be “re-flashed” by an AM dealership or whether it is plug and play?

My local AM specialist says it’s plug and play, as did Mike at Bamford Rose in a much older thread about this but many others have said it needs to be re-flashed by a main dealer.

Anyone know who’s right?!

Many thanks.

[abanks]

I replaced the Convertible Roof Module (ECU) on my 2005 DB9 and it did not work until it was re-flashed by the dealer.

[Green9]

Many thanks - guess that’s the answer then! I’m surprised that only main AM dealers have the correct equipment to do this for a car that’s now over 15 years old...

[KevinBird]

Bamford Rose have the kit to do it

[Gbox]

The guys at astonowners.com have figured out how to fix the modules. Exchange basis £250.