Auxillary Heater - More Questions

[Graham Smith]

Our auxillary heater packed up last week, with clouds of white smoke billowing out from under the car.

 

My wife to it to the local Ford dealer and they plugged their laptop into the car and switched it off. I decided to have a go at sorting it myself, as they wanted

[Smilge]

Graham .... here are my answers to some of your questions but hopefully someone else will corrrect me if I'm wrong.

 

1. Why is the auxillary heater working even though it's been switched off at Fords?

 

I didn't think you could switch it off using VAG-COM only clear the "lockout" caused by 5 flameout faults.

 

2. Why is my auxillary heater still pumping out white smoke, even though I've changed the glow plug?

 

Your heater is probably burning off the residual unburnt diesel that is still within the combustion chamber.

 

3. As a get out of jail free card, can I just unplug the multi-plug that goes into the auxillary heater to stop the smoke?

 

Yes but why not see if the smoking improves with use.

 

4. Is there any way of testing these glow plugs? I put a tester across the old one, expecting it to be 'open circuit' - but it's not. Could it be there was nothing up with the glow plug, and the fault lies elsewhere?

 

Although the glow plug is showing resistance, they physically wear down from the combustion and not as much of the red hot tip is exposed to the fuel/air mix so not all the fuel is burnt. Although the resistance you measured should be relatively high, did you compare the measurements with the new one? Another problem could be the metering pump.

 

I would bypass the temp sensor and get the thing to run for as long as it takes to clear the unburnt fuel and hopefully this should stop the smoke.

[Graham Smith]

Started the car up again this morning, and it's still like Del Boy and Rodney's van - clouds of smoke everywhere!

 

We used the car yesterday, so I don't think it's going to get better with use.

 

Another three of questions if someone would be so kind...

 

1. What and where is the metering pump, and is this something that could be causing the smoke?

2. How would I go about bypassing the temperature sensor so I can run the car for as long as it takes to clear the unburnt fuel.

3. If I just want to switch the b****y thing off, so we're not the laughing stock of the village every time we take the car out, what's the best way of doing this?

 

All help much appreciated.

[stevie m]

Started the car up again this morning, and it's still like Del Boy and Rodney's van - clouds of smoke everywhere!

 

We used the car yesterday, so I don't think it's going to get better with use.

 

Another three of questions if someone would be so kind...

 

1. What and where is the metering pump, and is this something that could be causing the smoke?

2. How would I go about bypassing the temperature sensor so I can run the car for as long as it takes to clear the unburnt fuel.

3. If I just want to switch the b****y thing off, so we're not the laughing stock of the village every time we take the car out, what's the best way of doing this?

 

All help much appreciated.

 

Pull number 12 fuse this will stop the heater for now. I had white smoke. Glowplug was at fault tho.

Edited January 22, 2008 by stevie m

[Graham Smith]

I've just replaced my glow plug. Do you reckon the new one could be at fault?

[DougJones]

Sorry to jump in on this discussion, but can anyone tell me where the temp. sensor for the Aux. heater is located on a Seat Alhambra 2003 130se tdi. Looked under the scuttle where the wiper mechanism is, but can't see anything.

I've looked through the various threads but can't find the info I need.

My heater not working! need to bridge out sensor as outside temp is too high at moment to do any checks!!!

PLEASE HELP :16:

[naim32]

Are you sure tihs is smoke and not steam.

 

I always thought white 'smoke' was really steam (usually from water in the exhaust).

 

If the metering pump was over-dosing would you not expect black smoke from incomplete combustion.

 

Also, have you checked your coolant level. It could be possible that there is a leak of coolant into the combustion chamber.

 

Neil

 

BTW. I recently had to replace the glow plug and fired up fine with no smoke (after also cleaning the contacts on the pump).

[naim32]

Sorry to jump in on this discussion, but can anyone tell me where the temp. sensor for the Aux. heater is located on a Seat Alhambra 2003 130se tdi. Looked under the scuttle where the wiper mechanism is, but can't see anything.

I've looked through the various threads but can't find the info I need.

My heater not working! need to bridge out sensor as outside temp is too high at moment to do any checks!!!

PLEASE HELP :16:

 

Have you checked round the back of the wiper arm on the passenger side. Mine was not visible (Galaxy Mk2) and could only be found be feeling around.

On mine it's a small metal can with a blue connector.

[Beyond Help?]

When diesel is burnt you can also get white smoke, although it is heated unburnt fuel, not actually smoke.

[DougJones]

Sorry to jump in on this discussion, but can anyone tell me where the temp. sensor for the Aux. heater is located on a Seat Alhambra 2003 130se tdi. Looked under the scuttle where the wiper mechanism is, but can't see anything.

I've looked through the various threads but can't find the info I need.

My heater not working! need to bridge out sensor as outside temp is too high at moment to do any checks!!!

PLEASE HELP :27:

 

Have you checked round the back of the wiper arm on the passenger side. Mine was not visible (Galaxy Mk2) and could only be found be feeling around.

On mine it's a small metal can with a blue connector.

 

 

Many thanks naim32 it was exactly where you described, you deserve a :27:

Can get down to some basic fault finding now - Aux. heater not working, has been to Seat dealer who "has tried various things" and said that the next step was a new unit

[skippy 2]

As I have been looking around the forum I have noticed that auxhillary heater comes up quite often with the same symptoms. My question is has mine got one and hopefully not, I have a petrol gal.

[gregers]

DOUG that about sums up dealers,lets not bother trying anything to hard lets just wright the thing off and charge the customer.

 

IF ANYONE NEEDS ANOTHER 1 ive got one in my garage(it came off a mk2 02 galaxy)was told its in full working order??ill SWAP IT FOR A COMPRESSOR ;) :27:

not needed as I HAVE HAD A NEW ONE FITTED(very long story) :27:

Edited January 22, 2008 by gregers

[naim32]

As I have been looking around the forum I have noticed that auxhillary heater comes up quite often with the same symptoms. My question is has mine got one and hopefully not, I have a petrol gal.

 

Have a look. Its just in front of the rear wheel on the passenger side. I think it is only used on the diesels as it seems that they can't maintain engine temperature when under no load (full cylinder of cold air on every induction unlike a petrol which has the throttle valve).