James Cook Forum

Last summer we had strange problems with the computer. Sometimes after driving, the display was off. Press the big button and it came on OK and all the settings had been saved. It is no problem to press the button when it happens, but my concern is if it totally fails and will not come back on again, we have a big problem if on a trip.

Does anyone have any ideas or better still, where we can buy an identical replacement one in Germany? We are going to be in Germany in April.

How much would a replacement computer cost?

I would appreciate any help or ideas.

Thank you, Ian (Canada)

Hi Lunatic.

What you have over the head is the display; the "computer" as you called is near the charger.
You can found some informations redaing the forums about VW Californie and Mercdes Marco Polo.
I remember someonenas nthe same trouble as your. Hi gently dimantle the display ( only plastic clips ) and connected a new +12v wire.

below, I share the wiring diagram of the display.

Most probable is you have bad connection, or broken wire on +12 V or 0V.

+12 V = red wire
0V = braun wire



Certainly we have to share all technicals informations about those items to prepare any future trouble.
Start and stop the fridge without the nunit is easy ; its require only a switch; the Danfoss informations are very clear.
The command of the heater requires well more competences and aan usual command unit from Eberspaecher.

Good luck.
Vincent.

Thanks for the reply and ideas. I will pop out the overhead computer and check the wires at the back.

It seems very strange that if the display is off, by pushing the big button it comes on again.

Cheers,

Ian

Hi again VTXBE,

Do you think the red wire problem is at the back of the display above the windshield or somewhere else down to the computer by the battery charger?

I am hoping to to have to run a completely new red wire!

Any help would be appreciated.

Ian (Canada)

lunatic hat geschrieben: ↑

17.04.2025 15:29

It seems very strange that if the display is off, by pushing the big button it comes on again.

Cheers,

Ian

You are right.

Read the below instructions about the "sleepmode " to save the battery.
In case your battery is in good condition; the reason of the dysfunction could be a short break (of decreasing) of the +12V ;than the computer believe it is time to turn to sleepmode to save the battery charge level and you wake it by pushing the encoder button.


I don't know where is the red wire coming from ( fuse box , battery, central unit ? )

All what I write is how I feel; it could be wrong ...

Don't you have the instructions about the central unit, ask me by email or mp.

Der Ruhemodus hat zwei mögliche Startbedingungen:
1. Die Spannung der Zusatzbatterie unterschreitet 10,5 V
2. Der Ladezustand ist null, und damit kurz vor der Beschädigung der Batterie
Im Ruhemodus werden folgende Verbraucher in der aufgeführten Reihenfolge abgeschaltet oder deaktiviert.
Solange sich die ZE im Ruhemodus befindet wird zyklisch jede Minute die Spannung der Batterie geprüft.
Wenn die Spannung jeweils gesunken ist, wird ein weiterer Verbraucher abgeschaltet.
1. Kühlbox /-schrank
2. Heizung
3. Aufstelldach
4. Sensoren
Um wieder in den Normalmodus zu gelangen, muss die Batteriespannung größer als 12,5V sein und der
Nutzer muss die Encodertaste betätigen.
Die Darstellung des Ruhemodus ist bei der Abschaltung der Kühlbox-/schrank, der Heizung und des
Aufstelldaches so, dass das Gerät ausgeschaltet ist und bei Betätigung des „ON“-Tasters im Display ein
Batteriesymbol für die Dauer des Tastendrucks eingeblendet wird.
Wenn auch die Sensoren abgeschaltet sind, wird im Hauptmenü die Außentemperaturanzeige mit „-,--“
dargestellt. Die Füllstandssensoren werden ebenfalls abgeschaltet und im Untermenü Füllstände wird mittig
ein kleines durchgestrichenes Füllstandssymbol angezeigt.
Wichtig für die Werkstattanweisung:
Wenn auch die Sensoren abgeschaltet sind werden im Servicemenü die Isttemperaturen des Innenraums und
der Nasszelle nicht mehr angezeigt und mit „-,--“ dargestellt.

Re Sleep Mode.

Thanks for all the information. It is possible that it did go into sleep mode, but when I press the big button everything comes back as it was before - fridge on etc. etc.

Once out of storage, I think the first thing I will do is replace the batteries as they are old anyway. Then I will see when the display goes off compared to the state of the new batteries. After that it is the red wire and then replace the display!

I do have the instruction manual and have seen the sleep mode section.

I wonder if there may be an error code causing the display to go off that can be reset? Error code 170 is due to Sleep Mode. I will check error codes.

I REALLY appreciate your ideas.

Ian

how more I read, how more I feel the issue is coming from +12V or 0V and not from the control unit.
Your unit switches to sleep mode because the voltage drops down.

First, be certain your westfalia battery is in good condition.

If yes, an option could be :

In case you have a bad ( not broken ) connection at +12V or 0V located at the battery or the shunt or in the main of the fuse box,
if the fridge or the heater starts, the voltage drops down ( because of the current accross the bad connection ),
and the unit switch in sleep mode and stops fridge and heater.
At this moment, the voltage increases to the normal value ( because of there is no more current accross the bad connection )
and if you presse the button, you turn the unit out of the sleep mode.

Because I m french speaking, " bad connection " is my translation of " faux ou mauvais contact "

This makes sense, thanks.

First job as I mentioned is to change the JC leisure batteries. We are installing lithium. Once they are fully charged we will see if the control panel stays on. Last summer, we used an inverter with the old AGM batteries, which dropped the voltage significantly. Maybe that drop put the control unit into sleep mode as you say........

If there is still a problem, I will reconnect!

Ian

While you are installing lithium batteries ( I did it 2 years ago and I get full satisfacyion ) you will see a couple of thin red wires. One is going to the charger . It could be an other gives the +12V to the computer.

Once out of storage, we will change the batteries. Good advice re small red wires!

I will update everyone once that is done.

Ian