Help! Any car mechanics out there?

[woodsyni]

There isn't a specific "bracket reset" function for VW Transporter T6.1 triple rear seat brackets; instead, if you're having trouble with the seats, the issue is likely with the mechanism itself, and you may need to check for bent parts or ensure the release cables are properly seated. To ensure proper operation, align the seat's feet into the floor pockets, lower the seat firmly to engage the green tabs, and verify that the seat's backrest release cables are correctly attached

Thanks for this. I can see the wee green tabs but can't get near them. The silver metal bit is rock solid and won't budge. I can manually slide the "claw" but forward (with difficulty but the other bit won't budge an inch.

 

[woodsyni]

If push comes to shove, it’s still drivable though, isn’t it, mate?

That’s the rear seat, not the front.
If it’s really becoming a bother, maybe it for now?

The steel seat brackets on my old car snapped in half this one time…
When I sent it in, my mechanic ended up having to weld them back together again.

It is still drivable. We are literally heading off on our first trip tomorrow morning (complete newbies) and needed the seats out to drop our three dogs off at kennels on the way.

The seat is super heavy, both seat belts securing it so we'll be grand

 

[woodsyni]

1. Position the seat:
Place the VW Transporter T6.1 Kombi seat in its correct position on the vehicle floor.
2. Align the feet:
Line up the two feet of the seat with the corresponding pockets or receivers on the floor bracket.
3. Secure the front feet:
Allow the seat to slam down, which will help it engage the front locking mechanism.
4. Check for confirmation:
Look for two small, often green, tabs to come out from the sides of the seat legs. These tabs indicate that the seat is locked securely in the bracket.
5. Check rear feet:
For the back of the seat, you may need to push down slightly or the seat may naturally engage with the bracket's rear locking points, indicated by similar green tabs.
6. Test the seat:
To ensure it's fully locked, you can pull up on the backrest to raise it into its upright position.
Note: If you're installing a new system, the process might involve fitting quick release brackets to the floor first, and then installing the seats into these brackets.

Think the plastic 'thingy' that popped off must have let the green tabs drop. Surprised that both feet are affected though. They seem independent.

 

[COYBL25]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Was just asking on the off chance that it was something really simple. I'm crap with this stuff so was hoping it was an easy fix.

I'll get someone to look at it. Cheers

If you`re in Merseyside, don`t take it to a VW van centre whatever you do, as you`re looking at £130 an hour labour.

There`s an independent Transporter specialist in Bootle.

 

[woodsyni]

If you`re in Merseyside, don`t take it to a VW van centre whatever you do, as you`re looking at £130 an hour labour.

There`s an independent Transporter specialist in Bootle.

I'm actually in Lincolnshire for the summer. Heading back to NI in three weeks. I'm hoping to get a rear camera fitted by a VW specialist before I go back so hopefully he'll sort that too.

Was just hoping it was me being stupid tbh

 

[Caso01]

Just turn it off and on

 

[COYBL25]

I'm actually in Lincolnshire for the summer. Heading back to NI in three weeks. I'm hoping to get a rear camera fitted by a VW specialist before I go back so hopefully he'll sort that too.

Was just hoping it was me being stupid tbh

Have a good hunt around online mate, as there`s bound to be an independent specialist by you.

The forums are brilliant for this too, as a lot of the garages that are Transporter specialists don`t advertise, as they don`t need to, as word of mouth keeps them so busy.

The lad who looks after mine has no online presence at all, has never advertised, yet there`s always a queue of Transporters and Camper vans outside his garage, which is all just word of mouth - someone will go onto a forum, sing his praises and next thing he`s got a load more customers.

I`m based in Liverpool, yet outside of my mate who does the day to day stuff, I also use a garage in Blackburn ( they have all the technical kit ), an engineering workshop nearby to them in Clitheroe for anything engine related that needs replacing and a lad in Bootle, who`s a whizz for tuning and diagnostics - all of that is from word of mouth.

Like I said, the VW Transporter forums are goldmines for this sort of stuff.

 

[woodsyni]

Have a good hunt around online mate, as there`s bound to be an independent specialist by you.

The forums are brilliant for this too, as a lot of the garages that are Transporter specialists don`t advertise, as they don`t need to, as word of mouth keeps them so busy.

The lad who looks after mine has no online presence at all, has never advertised, yet there`s always a queue of Transporters and Camper vans outside his garage, which is all just word of mouth - someone will go onto a forum, sing his praises and next thing he`s got a load more customers.

I`m based in Liverpool, yet outside of my mate who does the day to day stuff, I also use a garage in Blackburn ( they have all the technical kit ), an engineering workshop nearby to them in Clitheroe for anything engine related that needs replacing and a lad in Bootle, who`s a whizz for tuning and diagnostics - all of that is from word of mouth.

Like I said, the VW Transporter forums are goldmines for this sort of stuff.

I have been reading some forums since we got the van a few weeks back. I'd like a reversing camera installed and there's a chap in Chesterfield who is constantly recommended. It's a 2 and a half hour drive from here but I'd rather do that than have someone who doesn't know the van.

It seems a great community all round.

 

[woodsyni]

Just turn it off and on

Tried that! The overhead philange won't reciprocate

 

[COYBL25]

I have been reading some forums since we got the van a few weeks back. I'd like a reversing camera installed and there's a chap in Chesterfield who is constantly recommended. It's a 2 and a half hour drive from here but I'd rather do that than have someone who doesn't know the van.

It seems a great community all round.

It`s a brilliant community and word of mouth recs like that are worth their weight in gold, as they can save you a fortune in the long run and keep you away from a lot of rip of places, that claim to be experts, but are just cowboys in reality.

It`s worth travelling to someone you know is going to the job right and quite often they`ll know a load of people who do other stuff and you`ll build up a book of contacts like that.

When I`ve used the garage in Blackburn, we make a day off it, as my missus follows me up with the little fella and we`ll go and have lunch somewhere nice nearby, leave it with them and then go back up when it`s ready.

One thing I`ll say about owning a Transporter though, is that you need deep pockets

 

[woodsyni]

It`s a brilliant community and word of mouth recs like that are worth their weight in gold, as they can save you a fortune in the long run and keep you away from a lot of rip of places, that claim to be experts, but are just cowboys in reality.

It`s worth travelling to someone you know is going to the job right and quite often they`ll know a load of people who do other stuff and you`ll build up a book of contacts like that.

When I`ve used the garage in Blackburn, we make a day off it, as my missus follows me up with the little fella and we`ll go and have lunch somewhere nice nearby, leave it with them and then go back up when it`s ready.

One thing I`ll say about owning a Transporter though, is that you need deep pockets

The fella that sold us the van told us to get used to waving at other Transporters and I thought, "Aye, right!". Turns out, he was right. I put my wife on waving duty though. I feel stupid waving at someone just because they're driving the same van as me.

My pockets are not that deep though. Now you have me worried

 

[COYBL25]

The fella that sold us the van told us to get used to waving at other Transporters and I thought, "Aye, right!". Turns out, he was right. I put my wife on waving duty though. I feel stupid waving at someone just because they're driving the same van as me.

My pockets are not that deep though. Now you have me worried

The BIG BIG thing with them is you have to use EXACTLY the right oil for your engine.

The lad who I bought mine off owned his own Transporter interior refurb company, so you`d think he knew his way around them.

Turns out he`d be using oil that was ever so slightly the wrong for it and as a result the Cam needed replacing pretty soon after I got it - big expensive job, as loads of other bits have to be replaced at the same time too.

I found out the exact right oil for my model via the forums ( them again ) and I use a specialist oil supplier now.

A lot of VW places think they know the right oil for them, but every engine can demand a slightly different type of oil, which can be extremely close to what the garages tell you use, but that tiny difference can be an engine wrecker in the long run.

So that`s another thing I`d 100% look up too.

Also cheap after market spares are ultimately Chinese made and are rubbish quality, so always try and buy VW ( expensive but last much much longer ) and if you can`t buy VW, buy German made copies.

 

[woodsyni]

The BIG BIG thing with them is you have to use EXACTLY the right oil for your engine.

The lad who I bought mine off owned his own Transporter interior refurb company, so you`d think he knew his way around them.

Turns out he`d be using oil that was ever so slightly the wrong for it and as a result the Cam needed replacing pretty soon after I got it - big expensive job, as loads of other bits have to be replaced at the same time too.

I found out the exact right oil for my model via the forums ( them again ) and I use a specialist oil supplier now.

A lot of VW places think they know the right oil for them, but every engine can demand a slightly different type of oil, which can be extremely close to what the garages tell you use, but that tiny difference can be an engine wrecker in the long run.

So that`s another thing I`d 100% look up too.

Also cheap after market spares are ultimately Chinese made and are rubbish quality, so always try and buy VW ( expensive but last much much longer ) and if you can`t buy VW, buy German made copies.

Cheers for the advice, mate. I wouldn't even have thought about the oil.

I had intended using proper VW servicing as the van has a full service history which I know is important if we want to sell. I've never used a specific manufacturer garage in my long life. As cheap as I could get it usually but then again, I've never owned an expensive car in my life either.

 

[COYBL25]

Cheers for the advice, mate. I wouldn't even have thought about the oil.

I had intended using proper VW servicing as the van has a full service history which I know is important if we want to sell. I've never used a specific manufacturer garage in my long life. As cheap as I could get it usually but then again, I've never owned an expensive car in my life either.

Find yourself an independent VW garage for your day to day services.

They’re service stamps will keep the VW mob happy when you sell it and you’ll save yourself a fortune.

The prices that VW want will shock you

 

[woodsyni]

Find yourself an independent VW garage for your day to day services.

They’re service stamps will keep the VW mob happy when you sell it and you’ll save yourself a fortune.

The prices that VW want will shock you

Good advice.

Have you any advice about awning rails. I have roof bars and would rather not have another rail on. Are the "over the van" straps any good?