Diesel Heater not firing up.

Tom · Sep 16, 2015

My 08 Cali diesel heater is refusing to fire up. When I switch it on it spools up but fails to fire up. It has not been used for over 12 months so probably needs a service after 5 years! I had one on a boat and could easily access it for servicing but cannot find any info on how to access the unit in the Cali. Any advice or pointers to a service manual. My local VW commercial in Enniskillen (N.I.) just scratched their head when I mentioned the problem. Rather than get charged a small fortune I would prefer to service the unit myself.

Regards

Tom

Hotel California · Sep 16, 2015

The heater needs maintenance and can only be given by specialists.
There could be a problem , but is your diesel tank filled ? If the ammount diesel is reaching the minimum the heater fails to work saving fuell for the engine.
The same on electrics , if not on hook-up or engine running , the heater turns of itself preventing the batteries to drain...

Search thru my topic ,there are pics from the underbody with the panels removed showing the heater location.
http://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/cali-technical-tips-tricks.9457/

CaliforniaDAN · Sep 16, 2015

If you are low on fuel the heater will not operate. I think it is 17 litres or less but not sure.

It maybe worth resetting the central control panel just in case there is a glitch there.

If after resetting and still no heating, search for Eberspacher service near to where you live and they can advise you.

Best of luck.

WelshGas · Sep 16, 2015

I may be wrong but I believe in the Handbook it recommends that the Parking Heater should be fired up on a regular basis on the Use it or Lose it basis.

Andresz · Sep 16, 2015

Earth Shunt?

Hotel California · Sep 17, 2015

Andresz said:
Earth Shunt?

Could be next , but let him first check out the basics , then search further.

bvddobb · Sep 17, 2015

Spark plug?

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Andy · Sep 22, 2015

Heater will also not fire up if the batteries are not at a high enough charge. Try it whilst on hook-up.

As others have said find an Eberspacher service agent near you. They are very common, most trucks have them fitted. VW are not good on these & will want to sell you a new one.
The unit is fitted under the van on the right side just behind the drivers seat. It is hidden by splash guards.

rod_vw · Sep 22, 2015

I think your 08 Cali will have a Webasto heater not an Eberspacher, both have been used by VW but I think the former was used in 2008. The fitting location and operation of these two versions are almost identical.

It is worth checking that diesel pump for the heater is working. Start the run-up process and listen carefully under the chassis in the region of the left front seat. You should hear a ticking noise as the fan motor starts to speed up. The pump is accessed by removing the left under plastic guards as described below for the right side. If it is working but the heater fails to fire up your fault could be as simple as a fuel leak in the feed pipe on as serious a a faulty heater control unit (inside the heater).

Access to the heater is by removing the plastic guard below the right front seat, It's fixed with 8mm headed screws into plastic 'nuts' plus one or two items like threaded washers screwed onto spiral pins welded to the chassis. When you come to remove the latter be aware that the edges are sharp and will cut the fingers, Often the easiest way to undo these is with the points of pointed nosed pliers.
Once the plastic is removed you will see the heater shielded by another hard plastic guard which is fairly obvious to remove. There you have the heater either Webasto or Eberspacher with exhaust silencer poking out towards the centre of the vehicle, combustion air input pipe disappearing into the area above the heater. Check that the exhaust pipe outlet is clear of obstruction, dirt and debris.
The cab heater air is drawn in at the front of the heater via the grill in the right front door step and expelled rearwards via ducting into the base of the right 'B' post.

The heater can be DIY serviced but I would advise taking it to a specialist NOT a VW dealer, as someone has suggested above, look into the commercial vehicle repair network as most long distance HGVs are fitted with similar night heaters. If you are in the Midlands I would recommend Carwoods at Birmingahm http://www.carwood.co.uk/locations/birmingham.html. They repaired an Eberspacher heater on a T4 that I owned when the local VW Van Centres were at a loss to sort it.

Rod

rod_vw · Sep 22, 2015

Oop sorry I didn't notice your location so Birmingham is not much use to you.

Rod

jts46 · Sep 23, 2015

Mine uses webasto heaters

John

NZCol · Nov 15, 2015

Ive had a problem with mine yesterday and today, 14 plate. I was using the heater last week fine (off hook up no engine running). Van was parked on hookup at home. Heater started to fire, ticking fuel pump etc then turned itself off after maybe 3 or 4 minutes. Fuel was quite low so filled up today, tried it again and was the same. Was out and about and flicked it on when i went shopping, started while engine was running and was OK. Odd.

Also got my EHU lead stuck, couldn;t get it out without major wiggling !

WelshGas · Nov 15, 2015

1. Low fuel then Heater will not fire up.
2. Low Leisure Battery Charge Heater will not fire up.
3. Thermostat set lower than ambient temperature then Heater will not run after Startup.

Could No 3 be a possibility?

Hotel California · Nov 15, 2015

To pull to hook-up out you do have to press down the small lever to the left...did you?

NZCol · Nov 16, 2015

On heater: yeah I wonder, it was quite cold though and i set it to 4 so would be surprised. It was the fact that it turned itself off completely, the light went out, that confused me. And then it worked while I was driving it. Will leave it until its properly cold and then see what happens.
On hook-up: Indeed I was, it was incredibly stuff. Has been for a while but this time it was properly stuck.

bvddobb · Nov 16, 2015

NZCol said:
Ive had a problem with mine yesterday and today, 14 plate. I was using the heater last week fine (off hook up no engine running). Van was parked on hookup at home. Heater started to fire, ticking fuel pump etc then turned itself off after maybe 3 or 4 minutes. Fuel was quite low so filled up today, tried it again and was the same. Was out and about and flicked it on when i went shopping, started while engine was running and was OK. Odd.

There are basically 4 possible reasons why the parking heater may switch off prematurely. See our post in this earlier thread.

sidepod · Nov 17, 2015

If you're competent with a voltmeter then switch on the heater and crawl under the van.
As stated above you should hear the facet pump clicking away.
If possible pull off the outgoing fuel line (the pump is installed at an angle, the flow is uphill), you should have fuel.
If the pump isn't running then put a temp supply onto it with a length of wire from the battery. Touch it on and off to mimic the pulsed supply. The pump should operate. If it doesn't then it could be a dead pump.
Next put your voltmeter across the tip of the glow plug (bolt on the top) and the chassis or earth. You should see 12v.
You could whip the plug out and bench test it to see if it gets hot. 12v at the connection doesn't necessarily mean heat.

If the above indicates a problem then it could be a thermal cutout has failed. Simple enough to bypass if you're confident.

You could blow back up the fuel supply line to ensure no air locks. Take the fuel filler cap off to be doubly sure.

Enough for now.

P.