Aux Heater - How to test glow plug? Or Swap for older heater?

[Fraz-ktf]

Hi.

I've removed my D5Z-F Aux heater unit from my 2005 Galaxy 130 Tdi as I am getting "Short to ground" faults from VAGCOM.

My friend has stripped it down for me and says that the glow plug is welded to it's wires, that go into the ECU part.

my question is, how do I test the glow plug for faults, before blaming the ECU?

I'm told that resistance-wise, the glowplug is giving a reading of 0.8 ohm.

Depending on what faults are found, I am able to get my mitts on an older model aux heater from a 115 bhp model and have read that it is possible to retro-fit this, involving swapping the multi-plug Presumably a cut & splice job (Anyone know if the wire colours are the same from a 2005 115 tdi with the older heater to a 2005 130 with the newer one?)

I also believe that the mounting bracket needs altering.  Would they be able to simply swap over with eachother?

Many thanks

[Fraz-ktf]

Oh, the older heater is giving the following VAGCOM error, although it works ok.

What does it mean please?

Controller: 7M3 815 071  D
   Component: HEIZG. B/D5W       0001
5 Faults Found:
01414 - Combustion-Air Blower (V6)
            36-00 - Open Circuit
01414 - Combustion-Air Blower (V6)
            36-00 - Open Circuit
01414 - Combustion-Air Blower (V6)
            36-00 - Open Circuit
01414 - Combustion-Air Blower (V6)
            36-00 - Open Circuit
01414 - Combustion-Air Blower (V6)
            36-00 - Open Circuit

[insanitybeard]

As I understand it, renewal of the glow plug (in the D5Z-F model) requires the two wires leading to it to be removed from the ECU multiplug, which will probably involve some delicate work with some jeweller's screwdrivers to ease retaining lugs out of the way etc. However, for testing purposes you can probably just disconnect the ECU multiplug and trace the two glow plug wires into the multiplug before probing these wires & powering the glowplug up to make sure it is getting hot. A little care may be required here as I think it's been said that the glowplug uses a lower voltage than 12v, perhaps somebody else can confirm this.

[Chrispb]

I have a new glow plug here in question on the box it has 12v and on the plug it does say 8v.
For testing purposes you only need to connect to a power source for a few seconds.

For info the combustion fan motor is also marked 8v.

[SilverBeast]

I tested mine on my old heater with an old car battery for a few seconds (held bare wires onto glowplug contacts, glowplug held loosely in a vice/clamp) and just checked it glowed red before disconnecting.

[Fraz-ktf]

I tested the glow plug and it glows nicely, so I assume it's the Electrics.

I've now got my hands on an older model that is known working. Thinking the plug and mounting bracket looked the same, I tried to fit it, only to find the heater fits 180Ã,° the other way and the wire colours are slightly different, as is the multi-plug!

I've chopped and swapped the multi-plug, connecting all but 2 wires to the same colours and positions on the cars plug. The remaining 2, I connected to the wires in the corresponding pins to the cars plug, regardless of colour.

My stumbling block is the mounting. Can it all be swapped round or will I have to construct a custom mount brackets?

Thanks

[Chrispb]

Surely it would be easier to get a mounting bracket that goes with the earlier heater