Aux Heater ?

[Sher]

I think this page may be useful to those having a problem with regard to information about the Glow plug for their Auxiliary heater

 

http://www.beru.com/english/produkte/produ...p;action=step02

 

http://www.beru.com/english/produkte/produ...p;action=step02

 

http://www.beru.com/english/produkte/produ...p;action=step02

 

 

The specific part number can be identified from the length of the plug on my 1.9Tdi. Once it is removed that is.

Edited January 24, 2009 by Sher

[jeremyr62]

Hi Guys, on my 2005 Galaxy the heater is different to the early models. The glow plug is only available from vw or Fords and has two wires which plug into the ecu under the plastic over, this means that the coolant pipes have to be disconnected unlike on earier models.

Wayne

 

Thanks, sound like yours is like mine! Unfortunately I had to take it all apart to figure out that the water pipes need to come off. ^_^ I tried to log my efforts here -> http://www.mythic-beasts.com/~philipb/GALA...aux_heater.html. Hope someone finds it useful. I've got to the point of realising I need to undo the water pipes, but I'm wary of doing it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

http://www.mythic-beasts.com/~philipb/GALAXY_HEATER/aux_heater6.jpg

 

http://www.mythic-beasts.com/~philipb/GALAXY_HEATER/aux_heater2.jpg

 

Did you make any more progress? I have the same model 2005 Galaxy as you and the booster heater has also just packed up. I don't know if it's the glow plug going open circuit but that seems the most likely reason. I read this whole thread and was feeling quite optimistic about fitting a new glow plug until your post and web page! Can't say I would relish breaking into coolant either.

[blagger1]

I had this problem last year and sucessfully replaced the glow plug. When I started the car the blower started straight away and everything has been fine - until a few weeks ago when I got the tell tale white smoke again ^_^

 

I replaced the plug yesterday but the heater is not working (no heat, no blower :o ).

 

I have read that VAGCOM codes need to be reset (whatever that means!) for it to work again. I didn't do that last time, it just worked straight away.

 

Any ideas anyone??

 

I have looked for the fuse (anyone know which number it is as the little diagrams aren't all that clear) and tomorrow I am going to take it apart again just to make sure that the multi-pin plug is definitely connected properly).

 

Any help gratefully received.

[jeremyr62]

I'm only reporting what others have reported in the long threads about this but fuse 12 seems to be the one that feeds the booster heater. Also it depends why your unit stopped working as to whether it needs to be reset with a VAG-COM diagnostic cable and software. I had no idea what a VAG-COM was either until my booster heater packed up. If the unit can't start because of a fault then it should work when repaired. However if it tries to start and repeatedly fails I think it then stops trying to start and the fault code has to be deleted. You can do this without a VAG-COM but it's never been posted how (at least I haven't found it yet).

 

I repeat all this was gleaned from this very useful site. I have no experience of any of this other than mine has packed up and I'm trying to work out how to fix it. I have a 2005 Galaxy 1.9 TDi 130PS and the diagnostic socket is purple under the fuse box to the right of the steering wheel. If anyone can tell me which VAG-COM cable I need to purchase off Ebay or elsewhere I would be very grateful.

[G0lfpunk]

My first post!!

 

After trawling through this forum after getting the tell-tale smoke from my Alhambra (2003 Tdi SX) earlier this week i took the plunge and replaced the glow plug in the aux heater.

 

All went well and seemed fine when i replaced the fuse, no smoke etc but the exhaust from the heater wasn't getting hot. I put this down to the fact that, from what i gather from this forum, the aux heater only 'kicks in' when either the outside temperature is below a certain temp or the car cooling system is below a certain temp. None of these seemed relevant yesterday afternoon.

 

Anyway this morning the car started with the smoke signals again, so once again i have had to remove the fuse to disable the aux heater.

 

Can anyone shed any light on on what else might cause the problem? I have read about resetting the error codes using VAG-COM, will the problem still persist if these haven't been reset after having the fuse removed?

 

Look forward to your replies,

 

Cheers!!

[34laxy]

If your heater has not worked correctly for a period there may be residual fuel in the combustion chamber and/or the exhaust. If the you believe the heater is working correctly it is worth allowing the heater to run and allow it to burn off this residual fuel whilst the car is stationary. Not very environmentally friendly I know however at least no one is following you. Allow at least ten minutes with the engine at idle or until all the residual fuel has been burnt off.

 

You may also find that replacing the two gaskets between the controller/motor housing and the combustion chamber helps to improve the seal and the combustion process which should reduce the smoke problem.

 

I have recently replaced the combustion motor in mine and found both of the above steps achieved a working heater without the trail of smoke. Trust this helps.

[smokie]

hi all did my glow plug in my aux heater yesterday. got the plug from the local ford dealer FINIS Code 1417618

[G0lfpunk]

Thanks for the replies.

 

I will refit the fuse in the morning and let the engine run and hopefully burn off any residual fuel that may be in there. Will let you know the results.

 

In case anyone is interested i got the part from my local GSF, luckily someone had ordered it and then decided they didn't want/need it so they had one in stock. Cost me

[G0lfpunk]

Well I replaced the fuse and started up the engine but due to this weather we're having (and that fact i'd used the car earlier without the fuse in) the heater wouldn't kick in. I used the ice trick on the temp sensor that was mentioned above in an earlier post and the heater (aircraft engine) started. It still blew the smoke out initially but after about 6-7 minutes it was definately alot less, so fingers crossed it may have worked. After this time the heater cut out so I will try it again later on when its all cooled down.

 

Just out of interest 34laxy where can you get those gaskets that you mentioned. I will need to remove the heater again in the near future to drill out the bolts that I sheared off (one on the bottom casing and one that supports the small exhaust).

 

Also on another note, when i took the fuel line off I couldn't get it back on without removing the small clip that holds it in place. I had to prise open the clip and 'pinch' it back into place. I'm pretty sure that it's not as tight as it was but i have checked for and leakage and there isn't any. I will probably replace it with a small jubilee clip when i drill out those bolts. Anyone else have the same trouble?

 

Cheers again for all the replies, this forum is a godsend!!

[smokie]

GOlfPunk i had the same problem with the clip on the fuel line and i replaced mine with a small jubilee clip.

[G0lfpunk]

Thanks for that Smokie, i'll just do the same.

 

Well, i just started up the car again, used the ice trick on the temp sensor and no smoke when the heater started!! I guess the big test will be in the morning when there's a chill in the air.

 

I did have a 'blonde' moment though. I had taken the fuse out earlier (no.12) and replaced it so i thought. After realising the heater wasn't starting i checked the fuse but it wasn't there!! Now I THINK i may have put it into slot no.17 by mistake as i was pretty sure that one was empty earlier. The guide for fuse 17 shows what looks like a cog-shape with the letters AG inside it but nothing else. This symbol is on a few of the other fuse guide symbols, but always next to another symbol stating what that fuse is for.

 

Anyway can anyone verify that fuse 17 is empty on a 2003 Alhambra TDi SX? Or if not what i have removed the fuse for?!?!

[34laxy]

'Just out of interest 34laxy where can you get those gaskets that you mentioned'

 

Try www.seaes.co.uk or check out www.eberspacher.com/dealers/heating-dealers

 

Cheers

[G0lfpunk]

Quick update,

 

Started the car up this misty chilly morning, aux heater started within a minute and no smoke whatsoever. Hopefully thats it all fixed apart from drilling those sheared bolts out and replacing them.

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies and advice.

[markg]

Hi All, My Galaxy (2001 Ghia TDI) has grey smoke comming out of the aux heater exhaust. Last time this happened Ford replaced the glow plug and it was fine for a couple of years. It has now started again and the wife is concerned about all the smoke and wont use it. The car is booked in with a mechanic for a few weeks time. In the interim is it possible to safely disconnect the Aux heater to stop the smoke. I see fuses 2 , 12 and 19 mentioned but is it possible to pull any of these to stop the aux heater but leave everything else working ?. Sorry if this has already been answered, tried to go through all threads on this topic but there is so many.

[gregers]

all will be reveiled somewhere in the thread on here,when you say every thing else working once fuse is pulled the booster heater will not work.

[markg]

all will be reveiled somewhere in the thread on here,when you say every thing else working once fuse is pulled the booster heater will not work.

 

Aim is to stop the smoke although still retain the climate control etc in the car, but of course I realise it will take longer to get up to temperature. If your sure the fuses are listed in the thread will try and take another look. Thanks

[markg]

all will be reveiled somewhere in the thread on here,when you say every thing else working once fuse is pulled the booster heater will not work.

 

Aim is to stop the smoke although still retain the climate control etc in the car, but of course I realise it will take longer to get up to temperature. If your sure the fuses are listed in the thread will try and take another look. Thanks

 

Sorry forgot to add the hand book I have for the car is for the older version Galaxy so the fuse layout appears to be wrong. Otherwise would have just followed that.

[gregers]

iirc somewhere on here has been listed the fuses on both mk1 and mk2,good luck theres only a few threads to go through.

[markg]

iirc somewhere on here has been listed the fuses on both mk1 and mk2,good luck theres only a few threads to go through.

 

After looking at the PDF attached to this thread I found that by removing the 25 amp fuse at position 12 I can stop the aux heater and retain the heating and cooling inside the car. Can anyone confirm that car is now safe to use like this ?. Thanks in advance.

[stevie m]

I took the fuse out of my old gal and ran it for a long time. I eventually got round to changing my glow plug in the heater and for me that done the trick.

[big_kev]

iirc somewhere on here has been listed the fuses on both mk1 and mk2,good luck theres only a few threads to go through.

 

After looking at the PDF attached to this thread I found that by removing the 25 amp fuse at position 12 I can stop the aux heater and retain the heating and cooling inside the car. Can anyone confirm that car is now safe to use like this ?. Thanks in advance.

 

Yep it will be fine during the warmer weather, it will be switched off most of the time now anyway.

[vin297]

Hi,

 

i ve jsut reads al these posts and i need to change my aux heater glow plug. can anyone tell me how to do it. idelaly with pictures. ive seen a thread from GSMGuy but the pictures arent appearing. any help appreicated.

[shepheap]

Hi,

 

i ve jsut reads al these posts and i need to change my aux heater glow plug. can anyone tell me how to do it. idelaly with pictures. ive seen a thread from GSMGuy but the pictures arent appearing. any help appreicated.

 

 

See here- No.1 - Aux Heater thread in FAQs :blink:

Edited April 19, 2009 by shepheap

[joner]

cannot seem to get pictures of heater

[Ivor]

My glowplug has failed again.

 

It has lasted 4 1/2 years since I changed it according to the date of the post when I did the photo's (on page 6).

Since my Alhambra is now just over 9 years old, I would say that it is due since it last failed when it was almost 5 years old.

 

Ah well, I don't mind doing it again, at least I know what to do!

 

I had the VAG-COM on it last night, and yes, the dreaded "flame out" error codes have returned.

 

I can't believe how long this thread is and how many views it has had, obviously a common problem!