Night heater, webasto

Pianomana440 · Jan 11, 2018

My heater switched it self on and flattened the starting battery overnight. I only found out when the neighbour came round asking if the van should be making a noise! The only way to switch it off was to disconnect the webasto under the van. Has anyone else had this problem or does anyone know what could be the problem/s? Its a 2011 Californes Se 180bhp DSG. Also should it have flattened the main battery? Thanks

WelshGas · Jan 11, 2018

Pianomana440 said:
My heater switched it self on and flattened the starting battery overnight. I only found out when the neighbour came round asking if the van should be making a noise! The only way to switch it off was to disconnect the webasto under the van. Has anyone else had this problem or does anyone know what could be the problem/s? Its a 2011 Californes Se 180bhp DSG. Also should it have flattened the main battery? Thanks

There are 2 heaters. Webasto heats engine and only works below 5c with ignition On and engine started.
Eberspacher heater warms the interior. It works off Leisure Battery ONLY. Cannot affect engine battery if wiring correct.

Pianomana440 · Jan 11, 2018

WelshGas said:
There are 2 heaters. Webasto heats engine and only works below 5c with ignition On and engine started.
Eberspacher heater warms the interior. It works off Leisure Battery ONLY. Cannot affect engine battery if wiring correct.

It was definitely the webasto heater as I read the label on the back of it when I was disconnecting it! Why would that come on on it’s own accord? What’s its purpose?

WelshGas · Jan 12, 2018

Pianomana440 said:
It was definitely the webasto heater as I read the label on the back of it when I was disconnecting it! Why would that come on on it’s own accord? What’s its purpose?

Where is this heater located?

If it is factory fitted it warms the engine when the ambient temperature is 5c or less. Don’t see how it can start without engine started.

Pianomana440 · Jan 12, 2018

It’s located under the van behind the passenger seat area. It definitely was going because I jacked the van up, removed the plastic panel and un plugged the heater which then switched it off.

Who would be the best person to look at it located in staffs??

Gazellio · Jan 12, 2018

Yup thats where the engine heater sits.

PS: Your profile does not show what California Model or Model year....

WelshGas · Jan 12, 2018

Pianomana440 said:
It’s located under the van behind the passenger seat area. It definitely was going because I jacked the van up, removed the plastic panel and un plugged the heater which then switched it off.

Who would be the best person to look at it located in staffs??

I very much doubt if anyone other than VW would be interested.
Obviously the Unit works so the problem probably lies in the VW wiring or control interface.
However, without any details of your vehicle cannot really advise any further. :Iamsorry

Pianomana440 · Jan 12, 2018

2011 California SE 180bhp dsg.

Gazellio · Jan 12, 2018

Does it turn off after a drive with engine warm?

flying banana · Jan 12, 2018

sounds like you have a wiring g fault to me. I would think the heater would have a ' switched live' from the ignition or else it would fire up everytime the van was parked below 5degrees. it's purpose is to heat the engine coolant in extreme cold by the way. needs looking at that mate or just leave it unplugged for now.

rod_vw · Jan 12, 2018

Speak to Bowers at Stoke on Trent http://www.bowersautomotive.co.uk/ or Carwoods at Smethwick http://www.carwood.co.uk/locations/birmingham.html the latter does not look correct but they fixed a similar Eberspacher water heater on a T4 for me some yeas ago when the dealers could not.

Rod

Pianomana440 · Jan 12, 2018

Strangely the washer pump stopp d working so I took it to a VW specialist in Lichfield who said the wiring was corroded so they re wired it! Maybe that has something to do with it??

WelshGas · Jan 13, 2018

Pianomana440 said:
Strangely the washer pump stopp d working so I took it to a VW specialist in Lichfield who said the wiring was corroded so they re wired it! Maybe that has something to do with it??

I think you may have your answer.

MattBW · Jan 17, 2018

Sounds like it, the only other way it would activate would be if you had the remote for the coolant heater and accidentally pressed it. Even then it should turn off after 30 minutes.