aux heater...

[stubrown]

Hey, my aux heater is smoking like a mumma..! Is it poss to just disconnect electrical connection and all is well?

[Mirez]

As a temporary solution? Yes, although you'll find it easier to just pull the fuse rather then rummage about under the car.

On a permanent basis? Far from ideal, it'll take a lot longer for the coolant, oil and engine to reach temperature which will lower your MPG and most likely increase engine wear.

[stubrown]

Hmmm.... which fuse would that be? Looking about on here and other places it looks like these things are a right pain in the beehind..! Even changing glow plugs doesn't seem to have worked for long any better perm solution?

[Chrispb]

The problem is not directly the heaters fault, the heater needs to be run without being shut down for a minimum of 20 mins to keep the combustion chamber clear but in a lot of cases the engine is shut off, example just popping round the shop, taking the kids to school is all bad news for the heater.
The later type glow plug may help if not already fitted or you could substitute the air temp switch and wire in your own switch to disable the heater when a known short journey is planned.

Removing fuse 12 will disable heater without affecting any other circuit.

[Helmit]

Hi Im a newby here having just found this forum. I don't know if anyone can help but I also have a problem with aux heater. during the summer it was working on every engine start so I pulled fuse 12 now when I replaced fuse as heater needed it dos'nt work. Ive joined the wires on temp sensor but still nothing. I bought a V checker code reader from a guy on another forum many years ago  and I get a fault 00668vehicle vocitage e terminal 30 signal too small. Would appreciate any help fellers preferably in laymens terms as im a  retired truck driver and no technician thanks Jim.

[Mirez]

You need a code reader that can read the aux heater (vcds) as you've more then likely got one that can just see the engine. The code you do have is normally associated with having a flat battery, reset it and its unlikely to come back. Check both fuses are good and then you would need to get code checking and also the wiring at the heater for fractured cables

[Helmit]

Thanks Mark for your reply when you say both fuses what one other than fuse 12 regards Jim

[Mirez]

12 and 3 (and 9 to a much lesser extent)

[Helmit]

Thanks Mark all fuses ok so tomorrow its drop the heater down and check the wiring will let you know how I get on thanks. Jim.

[Helmit]

Hi Mark Thanks for your help your diagnosis was spot on had a broken red wire heater side of plug. Managed to drop the heater and solder a piece in now works fine. Also wired a switch in place of the temp sensor so can prevent heater firing up on short journeys. Thanks again. Jim

[stubrown]

Great stuff, thanks very much for your help peoples, no more acrid smelling smoke..