Aux / Booster Heater

[stevie m]

Undo bracket (2 nuts 13MM), one bolt (10mm) off heater exhaust. Take out the bar (back of sill). Pull down out of tight bracket. BE AWARE Of THE LEAD you need to undo a plug and to release the heater unit from the car this plug needs to be pushed up out of the bracket (this lead is short). Then the unit it will come out. There are two jubilee clips to take off the pipes (Exhaust pipe etc) with a flat screwdriver. Plate on the bottom can then be removed. Then star shaped (t20 size) screwdriver required to undo four rusted bolts on the plastic top plate and four at the back. The back cover will come off. Then what i think was an 8mm socket to undo the nut on the glowplug and 13mm to take it out. I have been to bed since the tho. Take care with the plug inside the heater the tabs on it break easy. whole job 45mins - 60mins dependant on any probs really. i don't think there will be any.

[blagger1]

Brilliant :rolleyes:

 

I've got your info and the aux heater thread in the FAQ section to refer to. I'm feeling much more confident about it now.

 

Let's just hope that it is the glowplug that's gone, and nothing else!

 

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

 

Cheers.............

[NikpV]

GSF Part number for the glow-plug is bbgh001 and they are

[stevie m]

It's the newer type as seen on ebay mate.

[redneck01246]

if booster heater has six flame outs the ecu will lock it out and it will have to be reset after new glow plug fitted

i only know this as i have had to do mine and it wouldnt try to fire up till faults cleared

smoked like a b*"^&

[blagger1]

if booster heater has six flame outs the ecu will lock it out and it will have to be reset after new glow plug fitted

i only know this as i have had to do mine and it wouldnt try to fire up till faults cleared

smoked like a b*"^&

[NikpV]

using vag-com/wds2000 (or as jaroth pointed out using the equivalent from the heater manufacturer.... incidentally its only faults which shut theheater down after start up need resetting - faults which dont allow it to start e.g glowpug open circuit will not cause it to lockout (and need resetting) Edited January 3, 2008 by NikpV

[blagger1]

I just hope I get away with not having to reset just like stevie m today.

 

I take it I'll have to go to the main dealers to get them to reset it if necessary will I? Or do you think my local garage will be able to do it? Is it a 'big' job to reset it?

[NikpV]

not a big job but a main dealer will usually charge an hours labour ..

[blagger1]

Cheers for that.

 

I'm in Runcorn, Cheshire - willing to travel a bit if necessary.

 

Anyone out there if needed???????

[sanjsanj]

I'm in Runcorn, Cheshire - willing to travel a bit if necessary.

 

Anyone out there if needed???????

you could try looking here...

 

I want to work on my heater at home, which means i need the correct size pipe to connect the two coolant pipes....while you're under there, could you measure the diameter of the coolant pipe please?

Edited January 3, 2008 by sanjsanj

[blagger1]

Well guys & gals, Blagger is one very happy bunny :D :D :D ;)

 

Just replaced the glowplug, started her up and hey presto, the aux heater started up after 30 or so seconds. There were no clouds of white smoke it just worked perfectly.

 

I left it running for ten minutes and it got up to temp very quickly. And when I turned her off there was the familiar 'jet engine' sound back again ;)

 

I'm very happy to report that I did not have to reset the fault code in the ECU using VAGCOM.

 

It took me 1 3/4 hours. It wasn't a difficult job, just a bit fiddly getting the unit out. There was virtually no slack in the cable, and that made it difficult to weedle out from it's mounting. I didn't remove any of the hoses - just the exhaust and the other pipe that is next to it.

 

Big thanks to everyone for the help & advice.

 

:D

[blagger1]

sanjsanj - sorry, only just noticed yur post and therefore can't tell you the hose diameter ;)

[Dalbir]

I replaced my glowplug (BERU make from Ebay) about 18months ago, It worked perfectly last winter, all worked fine untill New Years day and now doesn't kick in at all regardless of ambient and/or coolant temperature.

 

Surely it should have lasted more than 18months, Or could it have developed a different problem now.

 

Any advice appreciated. So sick of all the nigley faults from a reputable German badge that I'm considering getting shot of it. Never had such a host a faults on any other german car I've owned in the past 25yrs.

 

Dal

[stevie m]

Was the glowplug the new type ? I ask this cos im not sure when they came out. The new type have 340 on the end of the number round the middle of it

[blagger1]

My plug is a Beru bought off ebay.

 

Didn't check the number so can't confirm whether new or old type - some have wires attached I believe, mine didn't if that's any help.

[stevie m]

To be honest, for the sake of a few quid and a bit of time it's worth while just changing it againto see. I just did mine and it was. Yes i do agree that the faults are a pain and mine has got quite a few at the mo and costing me loads of dosh to fix, the car overall is good. My car though is being sold before the end of march only due to the high miles. I am not getting another galaxy as there is no need for the big car anymore. I want to treat myself to a BMW 20d or 30d.

[rob e]

Hi i'm new to the forum i have a 1.9 tdi zetec 115ps late 2000 mk2 reading thread about booster heaters not working and yes you've guessed mine has stopped too at the end of september.i have a ford diagnostic and repair disc and it includes the ford tecnitions guide how to diagnose and fix the fault this is great because i have found the thermo switch outside temperature n289 (fords words) beside the front right fog light gotten to the bit where they say disconnect this at connectoin c239 engine compartment, rear, RH side and there is a diagram fantastic! can't find any connection all the wires from various componants just disappear in to the wiring loom anyone have any ideas?

[stevie m]

sorry mate i haven't. Welcome to the forum. So you say you are going to take the heater off for repair/ replace glow plug ?

[rob e]

Thanks

no not yet it was working fine and now there is nothing, its not even trying to start thats why i think its

switches and plugs

 

Rob

[blagger1]

I came upon this thread whilst being in the same situation as you - ie heater not even trying to start.

 

I started trying to find the temp sensor (which I couldn't!) and the fuse (which I didn't!) and decided to replace the glowplug as everybody's experience in this forum seemed to be that it all boiled down to the glowplug.

 

So, as you can see from my previous few threads, that's what I did today and now it's working perfectly.

 

My advice to you would be to do the same. It's a great feeling to fix it yourself for a fraction of what you'd pay the main dealer.

[systalink]

Hi,

 

I've read the numerous comments about the problems people are having with their aux heaters. Mine is working I think, but intermittently seems to be filling the car with loads of white smoke. It also smells really strongly of diesel. Is this smoke and smell harmful to my toddler and baby when in the car?

 

I've had the car checked at my local Ford dealer who have run a diagnostic, but they can't find a fault with the heater - even having done a booster test! - whatever that is!

 

Does anybody have any clues as to why this could be?????. Is this a normal occurance?

thanks

[Beyond Help?]

White smoke from the heater is incomplete combustion due to the glow plug flooding, you need a new glow plug, it is a modified part that runs hotter.

[systalink]

I'm new to this site and have found the comments really helpful. I'm also having the diesel smell and white smoke issue with my Gal, but it's a really intermitent problem. I took it to my dealer who ran diagnostics and a booster test on the heater ( I had to leave it over night, so that it could be tested in the morning in the cold temps) and they couldn't find a fault. But since then, I've had the smoke again coming into the car. They did say to drive it straight down to them, so that they could check it out, but it happened yesterday and they're not open on a Sunday! Typical.

 

Some people have said that some white smoke is normal - but how much. SHould it be coming into the car via the seatbelt hole as well as the little vent above the tyre? I find the the smell really worrying. I have 2 small children with me in the car and I'm concerned that the smoke and the smell are harmful to them.

 

A lot of people have said that this can be solved by the Glo plug being replaced - why does it happen?, wot is a glo plug and will it defo solve the problem do you think?

 

I'd be really grateful for any help.

[systalink]

Apologies and thanks for the reply to my earlier comment. I must be going a bit doooolally - posted twice. Ooops. Do you think my Ford dealer will take kindly to me suggesting that it needs a new glo plug - it's still under warranty you see.