Aux Heater failed

[dayslikethis]

I'm not even sure I had that information or brochure given to me - I'll have a look tomorrow maybe I missed it in the small print somewhere.
£1350 !!! I'm hoping its a simple sensor or fault code that can be reset - I'll be posting the whole saga here once concluded (3 different VW garages to date)

Nothing about this in the Cali/VW Manual I have and I wasn't given an Eberspacher guide.

 

[Roger Boeken]

I started this thread a couple of months ago and forgot to update our story.

I was given a print out of the workshop manual by the dealer.
.

Can you make this manual available on this forum in download section maybe ?

 

[Roger Boeken]

That is a good idea I will be setting my timer for once a week in the middle of the night

Hoping your cali is not in a closed garage overnight ..

 

[dayslikethis]

Can you make this manual available on this forum in download section maybe ?

Done

 

[dayslikethis]

Error post

 

[Loz]

Are they saying its the non-use that caused it to die though?

 

[dayslikethis]

Error post - edited sorry

 

[Loz]

The eberspacher guy says thats possible but until he gets it to fire up he's unable to read any fault codes - Catch 22 (Note just edited my post from Control panel to heater control unit to clarify that the cabin control unit is fine)

Interesting that it showed up on VCDS with no faults..

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 0B: Sec. Air Heating        Labels: None
   Part No: 7E0 819 006 F
   Component: J604  Standheizung  0401  
   Revision: L100400A    Serial number: 00000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 02757 790 00000
   VCID: 2A5E962286DB5F16F4-50C8

No fault code found.

 

[JohnGuppy]

You may ask how many of us have paid £2500 for a £65 repair ? its time VW and dealers took stock of the folk who buy a California and are members of this fine Forum , and understand we will not be messed about
I spoke to a tec at my local dealer and he informed me that to become a California approved tec is an on line course and even then its replace it with a complete new part and then throw the old part in the bin.He also said they get very little help in fault finding in many cases the first time a problem there is a defensive attitude towards any repairs as I am sure VW make there dealers jump though hoops

I ask where is VW code of practice when you have a problem what time do they promise to complete a repair after that compensation is paid

When I worked for large companies you had to have a clearly defined statement written into the contract
and for all major works a method statement for each job
I worked for social housing and had to attend and fix any electrical fault within 4 hours in Kent and Sussex for a fixed price 24/7 , if I went out a 3 in the morning and it turned out to be a faulty tenants cooker element or a bulb blowing they would not pay calling it swings and roundabouts that's the real world today if you are in the service industry

How many of us have picked up our new vehicle and drive away only to find parts missing or not working due to Poor PDI inspections
How many dealers offer a hook up point and a place to stay with WC shower etc. should you have a problem

When I purchased a new Motor home for less money I stayed for 3 days while I had extras fitted and drove away happy

Perhaps its time we changed the rules before our next purchase all we would ask for is a fair service and making a dealer jump though hoops when something goes wrong

 

[JohnGuppy]

Interesting that it showed up on VCDS with no faults..

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 0B: Sec. Air Heating        Labels: None
   Part No: 7E0 819 006 F
   Component: J604  Standheizung  0401 
   Revision: L100400A    Serial number: 00000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 02757 790 00000
   VCID: 2A5E962286DB5F16F4-50C8

No fault code found.

Does that just mean it can see a heater is fitted

 

[dayslikethis]

AUXILLIARY HEATER FAILURE – The story from the beginning

The Aux Heater is not something we’ve used much, however when you find you need it, you really do need it! My Cali is just over 3 years old and 4 months out of warranty. In August this year we were in Ireland when the weather caused me to turn on the auxiliary heater for the first time in over 10 months. Indeed I’ve hardly used it since new. The control panel simply showed the words “Heater not possible”. No fault was indicated ie no flashing icons etc but it simply wouldn’t work. I consulted the manual and then the forum carried out a reset without success. I thought that it may just be a fuse so I called into VW Donegal who carried out a diagnosis (CHECK NO 1) which found no faults. After charging me €116 they suggested it may be the heater itself.

I went to the Cali meet in Stratford where Loz kindly plugged his laptop in and tried his very best to find the fault. Again no fault shown but we thought it could be the control panel itself. (CHECK NO 2) It was then off to my nearest VW Cali dealer (95 miles) with the diagnostic print out who spent a couple of hours trying to find the fault including a diagnostics check (CHECK NO 3) This was negative but to their credit they tried another cab control panel from a Cali and still no joy. Therefore it was not the Control panel in the cab. In fairness they didn’t invoice me for this work as I was having some recall work at the same time but they didn’t have time to look at the heater itself. The technician said he had raised the problem with colleagues in the workshop and nobody knew of a solution so they would e mail VW UK technical helpline and they’d let me know the response.

Next step was to call at my nearest VW Van Centre (50 miles) who had carried out work on the alarm system a few months earlier under warranty. They suggested it could be the aux heater and wanted to book it in. A new heater can be very expensive. They couldn’t say what good faith allowance VW may contribute until they diagnosed the fault. I held back on this.

I then found an Eberspacher brochure on-line, which advised that the heater was maintenance free but should be turned on briefly every month for about 10 minutes. No-one at VW had ever told me this and it had not been in any documentation with the vehicle when new.

I’ve now spoken with my local VW Van dealer who advise that the best course of action is to book the vehicle in with them for a diagnostics check (CHECK NO 4) and they will link any fault to VW Customer Care and request a view on goodwill contribution given its closeness to end of warranty.

I'm booked in to the VW Dealer next week to go down that route.

I look forward to updating the forum, and of course as they say in GOT “Winter is Coming”

 

[JohnGuppy]

I ask what are they going to do in test number 5 !!!!
One thing interesting is run ones heater once a month for 10 mins take this as VW should have told us
If this is tested each month then you have a point to say it worked 3 weeks ago now its not working
or even better a check list before going away each trip check and record everything

Fill with fuel
Check all tyre pressures inc spare ( reset pressures in software )
Check oil in engine

Washer fluid
Rad water
Check lights
Check battery voltage
Plug in Mains and charge up Aux batteries check voltage on your control panel
Cool down fridge and set temp
Check 13amp mains plug
check 12v socket
Check gas and light burners If you don't have a spare cylinder weigh your cylinder ( use case scales )
Empty water tank and refill drain black tank
Run aux heater for 10min and test it warms up
Reset mileage trip
When a fault happens record it and when fixed record it when you are happy

Takes 15 mins but when you leave everything is working and keep this as part of your service history

 

[dayslikethis]

I ask what are they going to do in test number 5 !!!!
One thing interesting is run ones heater once a month for 10 mins take this as VW should have told us
If this is tested each month then you have a point to say it worked 3 weeks ago now its not working
or even better a check list before going away each trip check and record everything

Fill with fuel
Check all tyre pressures inc spare ( reset pressures in software )
Check oil in engine

Washer fluid
Rad water
Check lights
Check battery voltage
Plug in Mains and charge up Aux batteries check voltage on your control panel
Cool down fridge and set temp
Check 13amp mains plug
check 12v socket
Check gas and light burners If you don't have a spare cylinder weigh your cylinder ( use case scales )
Empty water tank and refill drain black tank
Run aux heater for 10min and test it warms up
Reset mileage trip
When a fault happens record it and when fixed record it when you are happy

Takes 15 mins but when you leave everything is working and keep this as part of your service history

I omitted to mention that I got the vehicle fully checked by VW dealer to ensure all in working order days before the warranty expired.

 

[WelshGas]

I omitted to mention that I got the vehicle fully checked by VW dealer to ensure all in working order days before the warranty expired.

Did they check the Heater then?

 

[dayslikethis]

Did they check the Heater then?

I would like to think that they did or should have but no formal record of that unfortunately. My request was a full check of the vehicle and systems. The only fault confirmed was the alarm system which was repaired under warranty.

 

[JohnGuppy]

Just been out to check my heater for 15 mins and watch the news as WG has said did they check the heater ? but do they know how to check the heater I guess they do not They don't check the gas or burners or lighter and fridge and never check the mains leads on a PDI and never check them when you have it serviced and don't even check you have legs on your outside table

The service schedule is a VAN that's all they do anything else is only checked when it goes wrong
One thing I have leant today is you need to check your heater every month and run your Air con to keep seals free from leaking

I ask does anyone have a full service schedule for a California showing all the items are checked

All servicing and regular inspections can play a part of reliability and can be done buy the owner / driver if you experience a problem look for help on your forum here you will find if you have a problem someone else on here has had the same problem and everyone on here has one thing in mind to help each other

 

[WelshGas]

I would like to think that they did or should have but no formal record of that unfortunately. My request was a full check of the vehicle and systems. The only fault confirmed was the alarm system which was repaired under warranty.

I very much doubt if they did, so that could be something to discuss with the Dealer regarding a Goodwill repair.

 

[Loz]

The eberspacher guy says thats possible but until he gets it to fire up he's unable to read any fault codes - Catch 22 (Note just edited my post from Control panel to heater control unit to clarify that the cabin control unit is fine)

I'm still thinking about this...

Do you have a remote for your heater?

Also there is a pin on the heater module that takes a single 12v signel from the remote receiver, the Eber guys coul simply apply 12v and it should start.

 

[dayslikethis]

I'm still thinking about this...

Do you have a remote for your heater?

Also there is a pin on the heater module that takes a single 12v signel from the remote receiver, the Eber guys coul simply apply 12v and it should start.

Yes I do have a remote. I will ring the guy in the morning and check this.

 

[Loz]

Yes I do have a remote. I will ring the guy in the morning and check this.

Did you try and start it with the remote?

 

[dayslikethis]

Did you try and start it with the remote?

Many times to no avail.

 

[Loz]

Many times to no avail.

Then simulating the remote input probably wont help..

 

[dayslikethis]

Apologies but this is a cut and paste from another thread I've posted on the issue. Thought it best to finalise both threads to ensure all contributors sighted on issue and resolution -

Well I have the van back and the heater is working - result !
A summary since problem identified in August
1. VW Dealer no 1 = 4 hours, not fixed
2. VW Dealer no 2 = 4 hours, not fixed
3. VW Dealer No 3 = 25 hours - fixed
Reason electrical - identified as poor cable connection from new when VW Cobra unit installed(black wire) at time of purchase / registration which resulted in eventual break and no flow of current from the heater cable connection (red wire) connection to the control box.
Cost = Don't even ask!
Mood = Just happy to get my van back in working order, packed and off camping this weekend


Thank you Loz for all your help since Stratford meet. It's been quite a journey.

 

[WelshGas]

Apologies but this is a cut and paste from another thread I've posted on the issue. Thought it best to finalise both threads to ensure all contributors sighted on issue and resolution -

Well I have the van back and the heater is working - result !
A summary since problem identified in August
1. VW Dealer no 1 = 4 hours, not fixed
2. VW Dealer no 2 = 4 hours, not fixed
3. VW Dealer No 3 = 25 hours - fixed
Reason electrical - identified as poor cable connection from new when VW Cobra unit installed(black wire) at time of purchase / registration which resulted in eventual break and no flow of current from the heater cable connection (red wire) connection to the control box.
Cost = Don't even ask!
Mood = Just happy to get my van back in working order, packed and off camping this weekend
View attachment 27072

Thank you Loz for all your help since Stratford meet. It's been quite a journey.

I see you have some physical evidence. That should make for an interesting conversation with the supplying Dealership. Give them h***.

 

[JohnGuppy]

There are dealers and dealers very few know what they are doing days are gone when the service manager took his coat off and rolled up his sleeves and could look and fix things