Booster Heater

[paulh]

I don't think this is the same as the normal problem, hence the new thread.

Mine has worked fine since I've had the car, she's an 05 PD engine with 175000 on the clock.

I noticed this week that she was taking an age to warm up so I plugged in Vag Com, and sure enough I got the flame out error. Cleared that and it started working fine again for the rest of the day. Started up next morning, nothing, cleared fault, fine again. Getting a little bit of white smoke on start up, nothing like the clouds others report, and also noticed a bad smell of what smels like burning rubber coming from the area when its running.

Is this a sign of the glow plug packing up, or something more sinister?

Cheers

[daddyfixit]

my 2000 tdi is also playing up;

 

aux heater no longer works, electric waterpump on bulkhead has gone quiet (dont know when---i only see car at weekends) this morning the heated front screen would work, nor would any of the heater controls for fan/ac/ rear blower or flow direction !!

 

i took it in work, connected to a bosch kts ( blue-toothed version) and it didnt even list the heating/ventilation system !!

 

so. is vag-com the only diag system that sorts out the heater or will snap-on solus or vedis be able to access it??

 

after dis-connecting the centre dash control unit for 5 mins--it worked when tried after re-connecting, so not all is gloomy !!

[paulh]

Found out what the burning rubber smell is, it was something stuck to the exhaust burning off :)

 

Same again yesteday, cleared the codes first thing, fired up and it run perfectly. Let car warm up then switched off for half an hour, started her up to go out and nothing. Drove home after car had been sat idle for 3 hours and it worked again. Switched off for 10 mins, then nothing again. Think it needs a 'tap' with a heavy object!

[chrispb123456]

Found out what the burning rubber smell is, it was something stuck to the exhaust burning off :)

 

Same again yesteday, cleared the codes first thing, fired up and it run perfectly. Let car warm up then switched off for half an hour, started her up to go out and nothing. Drove home after car had been sat idle for 3 hours and it worked again. Switched off for 10 mins, then nothing again. Think it needs a 'tap' with a heavy object!

When you stop for a short period of time the plenum chamber where the air temperature sensor is located warms sufficiently from the heat of the engine, so if not much time has passed ie, 10 mins the temp sensor has now switched off the heater circuit until the temp falls enough to initiate heater again.

Below 5 deg's on MK1 and below 10 deg's on MK2.

[andymet]

Hi

Can you please tell me which section in vag come the flame out error is listed. I have an unregistered 4.9 verson and looked in both Aux heating sections ut vag com would not find the module. Thanks for any help Andy Met

[chrispb123456]

Hi

Can you please tell me which section in vag come the flame out error is listed. I have an unregistered 4.9 verson and looked in both Aux heating sections ut vag com would not find the module. Thanks for any help Andy Met

Hi Andy

18-Aux Heat is the correct section for the booster heater, what exactly does the message say, are you able to open any other controllers. ie. Engine, central elect, Auto HVAC.

[andymet]

Hi

Can you please tell me which section in vag come the flame out error is listed. I have an unregistered 4.9 verson and looked in both Aux heating sections ut vag com would not find the module. Thanks for any help Andy Met

Hi Andy

18-Aux Heat is the correct section for the booster heater, what exactly does the message say, are you able to open any other controllers. ie. Engine, central elect, Auto HVAC.

Hi Yes I can open other controllers like engine Parking sensors ABS auto HVac etc but 18 and 7D are not found

[billywizzo]

Have you checked the fuse for the aux heater is ok.

If it pulled or blown vagcom will not read the unit.

[chrispb123456]

Yes as billy says check fuses the main one is 12 also 3 & 19 if fuses are OK check the wiring on the multi plug at the heater unit for breakages/corrosion.

[andymet]

Yes as billy says check fuses the main one is 12 also 3 & 19 if fuses are OK check the wiring on the multi plug at the heater unit for breakages/corrosion.

Hi

Thanks for the suggestions, I've checked all three fuses and they are ok. Vag com says no response from the controller. Now need to check the multi plug. How easy is it to get to? Many thanks for the help so far. Andy Met

[marinabrid]

you will have to drop the booster heater unit down to allow access to the multiplug

its above it tucked up under the sill

[Andrew G]

Hi guys,

 

I'm still a novice with only 140,000 on the clock of my 03 TDi Ghia 130. Can you confirm that you are talking about the booster heater (under the left middle row passenger seat) not the aux heater please? (not sure I have an aux)

 

My booster heater no longer works even in the cold weather. Definitely below 10 degC probably even below -10 recently but no heat from the booster. Maybe I could put some money in the unit every time I feel a little cold?

 

I'll go and check the fuses now but I don't hold much hope.....

[chrispb123456]

Hi guys,

 

I'm still a novice with only 140,000 on the clock of my 03 TDi Ghia 130. Can you confirm that you are talking about the booster heater (under the left middle row passenger seat) not the aux heater please? (not sure I have an aux)

 

My booster heater no longer works even in the cold weather. Definitely below 10 degC probably even below -10 recently but no heat from the booster. Maybe I could put some money in the unit every time I feel a little cold?

 

I'll go and check the fuses now but I don't hold much hope.....

Hi Andrew

Yes the booster heater is the one under the car, all diesel versions have one look under the N/S/R passenger door you will see a small exhaust pipe coming from the heater it is fully automatic and operates if the outside air temp is below approx 10deg, common faults is the glow plug, and coolant run on pump vag-com can help diagnosis and may be needed to clear fault codes which will stop the unit working, there is a lot of information on the site about this, you can do a search and also look in the FAQ's section.

 

I would advise you either get a Vag-Com lead first or you may find a member close to you willing to run a check for you? where are you located?

[tom-tom1]

Hi Paulh,

 

I had exactly the same problems as you with my heater - cleared faults, would run a few times, then faults re appear. I bit the bullet and changed the Glow plug -

[paulh]

Think mines packed up completely pretty much. May fire up immediately after clearing faults, but that's it for the day. Think it's time to invest in a new glow plug. Anyone know which one I need for an 05 model?

[tom-tom1]

Think mines packed up completely pretty much. May fire up immediately after clearing faults, but that's it for the day. Think it's time to invest in a new glow plug. Anyone know which one I need for an 05 model?

VW say there are 2 sorts but read somewhere on here that Ford did not update the heater - therefore AVS parts - list it as GH001. Still worth bearing in mind what one of your replies said - heater only works below 10C and only if engine is fairly cold - I would be suprised if mine started again after a 10min break.

Good luck !!

[marinabrid]

there are 2 different plugs on the ford as well as the vw, i think they came in around 05/06 the other plug has 2 wires attached to it whereas the original is a standard nut on top type.