That Auxiliary Heater - Still

[Guest JohnP]

Have the well known and well documented heater shutdown on my R plate 1.9tdi.

I have followed the very helpful guidance on changing the glow plug, set myself up with an eBay souced VAG COM lead and shareware software but cannot find module 18 to reset the heater. :(

 

The information elsewhere in the board is excellent in getting to the heater's works - a leisurely 2 hours to get in there once the WD40 has soaked all of the screws. :lol:

 

Replacement glow plug obtained and fitted. :D

 

BUT I have spent ages, with the laptop mains powered, running the engine, polling module 18 to get a response and my heater just won't talk. Does anybody know of another way to reset the module, to get it to try lighting up again? :lol:

 

Incidentally, on the early models of Gal, the air temperature sensor is not linked to the heater (despite what the TIS says), so I guess it only works on water temperature. The heater has a wire but the car doesn't (perhaps a future mod to save diesel in the summer?)

 

Any help gratefully received ...

 

Ta

John :lol:

[Masked Marauder]

I can assure you the temperature sensor is connected. If you remove the connector to it and bridge the terminals with a mini-fuse then the heater will always come on regardless of the outside temperature. It is in the link between the alternator and the heater.

 

And everyone seems to struggle to get VAG-COM to talk to the heater in early models, so your not alone there.

[Guest JohnP]

Thanks for the re-assurance - I'll keep on polling module 18 and see if I can wake it up. Now it's a bit warmer, I'll get the scope out and see if the control wire is actually toggling - a simple ac multimeter check seemed to suggest that it was.

 

According to the TIS manual and the D5W pdf that's been posted here, there is a control wire from the heater to the vehicle connector which should be pulled to +ve to enable the heater. I thought that this was the feed from the thermo sensor. The alternator feed is getting to the vehicle connector ok. Where I got confused was that there has obviously never been a wire on the vehicle side of this connector but the heater did used to work...

 

It seems that all I need is a heater software reset - almost considering taking it to a Ford Agent (how desperate is that!)

 

We will get there ...

 

John

[Ivor]

I had difficulty getting my VAG-COM to connect to the aux Heater.

 

Juat keep trying.

 

I can't remember the exact sequence, but try combinations of ignition on first before opening VAG-COM software, VAG-COM lead connected first then IGN then start software etc. etc.

[Jeff115]

Hi John,

You could try and check the start signal voltages at the multi-plug for the booster heater, see here

Booster heater start signals

 

I don't know which signal voltage is interrupted by a fault code (DTC) logged in the ECU but I'd say it's Pin 1/Terminal 30.

 

Hope that this helps,

Jeff.

[dave_m]

if the heater has had a repeated Flame Out, It will need to be reset by VAG COM or similar, just curing the fault won't solve the problem. just reset one for another forum member and VAG Com displayed five flame out errors caused by faulty glowplug and another DTC saying FUNCTION LOCKED OUT, Reset codes and heater fired up immediately

[Jeff115]

Dave,

I used to think that too but others will beg to differ - members esp. with pre-2000 models (D3W boosters) seem to have fixed faults by just fixing the cause e.g. replacing glow plug to fix 'flame out' or 'short' faults.

 

They also seem to share difficulty in getting VAG-COM to connect to Controller Address 18, the booster interrupt.

 

However this does not help JohnP, :blink:

Regards,

Jeff.

[dave_m]

I think the D5W Boosters on post 2000 models are different then as they do need a reset :blink:

 

Has anyone successfully connected VAG COM to a mk1 aux heater?

[Guest JohnP]

Thanks Dave, Jeff,

 

I can confirm that it is a D3W (Z) not a D5 Eberspacher. I can't find a separate control module, it seems as if the car's network drives the heater internal controller directly.

 

Anyway, tried tonight to get a good voltage to the unit, by taking the car for a 10 mile run around the Northants countryside whilst the notebook polled away - continuously reporting 'controller not found'

 

I will work my way through the start signals on the post, Jeff, thanks. I have checked for DC feed and alternator. There doesn't seem to be (or ever have been) a wire for the ambient temperature sensor but I'll poke a few volts in there to see if I can get the little beggar to start up.

 

I was hoping that Eberspacher had left a back door in the controller, such as a jumper inside the heater or 25 start cycles or something like that. It will really hurt to have to take it to Ford just to reset the damn thing!

 

If I crack it, I'll let you know - it's driving me to drink!

 

John

[Jeff115]

John,

I can't find a separate control module

The booster control unit is (sealed I'm afraid :( ) inside the side cover of the combustion air blower cover where the cable goes into the unit - you would have removed the side cover to access the booster glow plug.

 

Check pin 6 for voltage signal from the ambient temp sensor -

The heater has a wire but the car doesn't

- did you check for this sensor on the n/s wiper arm?

YES I hear you say LOUDLY :lol:

Alternatively is it possible that your booster is controlled by a switch on the clock in the headliner inside the car?

 

Let us know,

Regards,

Jeff.

[Guest JohnP]

Thanks Jeff, YES !

 

I have now spent something over four hours in total, trying to get the heater to respond to my version of VAG-COM; time to throw in the towel. The following info is for anyone else having a go ...

 

Just for a giggle (!), as the sun was shining, I stripped the whole thing down again today and checked all of the internals against the check list in the TIS - disconnected the control module and check motor, gloplug, flame and temperature sensors. All resistances within spec and no internal wiring damage.

 

I checked the start signal (voltages) at the connector, as per the link above... my TIS and car are slightly different to the link - pin 2 is the ground, not a coolant temperature signal. Ground is 0.22ohm to the battery - a bit higher than I would have liked but adding another ground link didn't change things.

 

Found the ambient sensor and bridged it - signal appears at the connector ok, alternator also. Just for fun, I froze the sensor and checked that it was short, then opened as it warmed up.

 

So, I've either broken the controller itself or my VAG-COM (311.2) just isn't up to it. Not sure what to do now... never fixed a car before then got it refusing to believe that it's better!

 

Just flipping a coin to see if it's worth investing in a newer VAG-COM, or conceding defeat and wheeling it over to Kettering to get Ford to reset it !

 

(Or just leaving it switched off!)

 

John :angry:

[Masked Marauder]

Have you checked the connections to the metering pump

[Jeff115]

John,

Full marks for perseverance :angry:

 

Couple of further questions:

 

When was the last time that your booster was working?

 

I assume that your metering pump is working and that you checked connections to it also?

 

What's your location - I'm sure that there's a member with full VAG-COM version who can check it also?

 

Regards,

Jeff.

[Guest JohnP]

Hi Jeff, and others, and thanks for sticking with me....

First and foremost - my location is Rothwell, Northants - just off the A14 and am willing to travel moderate distances to anybody to has got a VAG-COM that has been used to reset a Mk1 heater - and of course is willing to help !

 

I haven't checked the metering pump for operation - not sure how to if the heater isn't responding. I have traced the wiring through and it is still connected and wires are undamaged.

 

I think that the problem is due to not being able to connect/reset the control module - I am just unsure as to whether it is a faulty module or a faulty VAG-COM.

 

In desperation, I have also had the trim out and checked the wiring loom through from the heater connector to the VAG-COM socket - again, no damage...

 

So any takers out there who fancy the challenge of talking to my deaf and dumb heater?

 

Thanks

John

 

PS - after this weekend, it looks like it won't be required anyway!

 

PPS- worked fine until I had the clutch changed, in October last year. I still have this nagging doubt that the garage left something unplugged. I can't find it!

[Masked Marauder]

Well if it is any consolation, I have tried and failed to get my full version of VAG-COM to communicate with my D3W.

 

And I have even checked the impedance of the connection to the diagnostic socket and found it to be within specification.

 

I think that it just won't talk to VAG-COM, but am considering trying a few older versions of the software to see if it makes a difference.

 

Short of that, you are more than welcome to come to my house at a mutually convenient time and try substituting a few parts from my working heater.

[Guest JohnP]

Well MM, what can I say ! Such generosity... thanks !

 

It is of great consolation to know that the 'full version' also can't talk to the heater.

 

I was really hoping that I hadn't wrecked the control unit in some way and you've given me hope that it is the VAG-COM.

 

I have contacted a company in Leicester who support the Eberspacher range - I am hoping that there is a back door way of resetting these things. Alternatively, that they can reset the unit without the cost of a Ford agent....

 

I won't go down the route of buying a new lead, just yet. My lead is an el-cheapo opto type and I know that the pukka RossTech ones use electronic level shifting...

 

I am not sure what we'd achieve by dismantling two units (yet) but thanks for the offer - may yet take you up on it...

 

John

 

PS Can you recommend any local breakers yards that might have a mk1 Gal in it? I could rip the controller off one of those...

[Masked Marauder]

http://www.intapart.com/

[Guest JohnP]

Just a thought - has anyone tried talking to this monster with an FDS2000, rather than a VAG-COM?

 

Are the signals they generate significantly different, I wonder?

 

John

 

(Monster=Coolant Booster Heater, not any Galaxy Owners Club contributors!)

(Will try directly connecting the computer to the heater next - to see if it's marginal signalling that is the problem)

(MM - thanks for the tip - looking for a price for a whole replacement heater from there - might be cheaper and leave me with some spares!)

[Masked Marauder]

Well if it is any consolation, I have tried and failed to get my full version of VAG-COM to communicate with my D3W.

 

Just as an update my version of VAG-COM HAS communicated successfully with a D5W heater, so not a VAG-COM issue as such.

[Guest JohnP]

Well, just clsing advice. Tried during the summer several times to get Vag-Com to address module 18 - no joy. At the last service, I asked Ford to reset the heater - had to spell out exactly what I wanted - but apart from clearing all the settings on the car(!), no change in the heater. Have perused eBay avidly to find another Eberspacher diagnostic tool (I just missed one in Feb) I have today given up and arranged to take it to an Eberspacher dealer in Leicester. I'll post any information I glean.

 

I have a 100W ham radio transmitter in the vehicle - there's just a chance that I have blown the module up and that's why it won't talk. But I'm hoping that it's just a reset

[NikpV]

Well, just clsing advice. Tried during the summer several times to get Vag-Com to address module 18 - no joy. At the last service, I asked Ford to reset the heater - had to spell out exactly what I wanted - but apart from clearing all the settings on the car(!), no change in the heater. Have perused eBay avidly to find another diagnostic tool (I just missed one in Feb) I have today given up and arranged to take it to an Eberspacher dealer in Leicester. I'll post any information I glean.

 

I have a 100W ham radio transmitter in the vehicle - there's just a chance that I have blown the module up and that's why it won't talk. But I'm hoping that it's just a reset

 

 

try pm'ing Jaroth - he joined a few days ago - hes an Eberspacher service engineer reckon he migyt be able to help ;)