New Cali - Heater won't work

[scuba phil]

Picked up our new California Ocean yesterday. Stayed overnight on a camp site to 'road test' it. We are really happy with just about everything in the van but the heater doesn't seem to want to work. On 'manual' we can get it to switch on, hear it click and give a little bit of air out of the vent but then it stops and heater light turns from amber to red. On programme the light turns amber but absolutely nothing happens. Auxiliary battery was charged (90%) and we've also tried after being on EHU for several hours and after returning home. Any thoughts, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CampervanTime]

What was the fuel level?

 

[scuba phil]

What was the fuel level?

Fuel level was almost full.

 

[KatyCherry]

Prob needs dealer to plug in to diagnostics and check it then as these heaters do a self check before firing up(lasts about 2 mins of blowing cool air before firing up) if for any reason it fails heater won't fire up... hopefully just needs a reset or maybe even requires initial activation?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Hotel California]

Did it worked + handover....

 

[KatyCherry]

Only other sugestion is to check combustion inlet pipe and exhaust pipe for blanks/blockages if you can get to them(underneath van) and check nothing blocking recirculation air inlet in r/h front step area is not blocked or covered with anything and also exit vent on rh B pillar is not covered.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[scuba phil]

Did it worked + handover....

Unfortunately we collected on Saturday and this was the California specialist's day off. The guy that did the handover didn't seem to have any knowledge of the California. We thought it better to find our own way using the manual. Probably a mistake!

 

[scuba phil]

Only other sugestion is to check combustion inlet pipe and exhaust pipe for blanks/blockages if you can get to them(underneath van) and check nothing blocking recirculation air inlet in r/h front step area is not blocked or covered with anything and also exit vent on rh B pillar is not covered.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

There's certainly nothing blocking the vents internally. I'll go check the ones underneath now.........

 

[Hotel California]

Always very sad to hear such a complex verhicle as a Cali is beeing given away by the dealer without a good handover

Try and turn the contol panel fully off , and/or
Read out the fault codes .

My guess is the control panel has been fiddeld arround at the dealer by someone lack of knowledge , turned the heater on and off in a short periode and it went in limp mode...

 

[MattBW]

Have you tried a control panel reset ?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[MattBW]

Firstly - Check the Control Panel for any Diagnostic Codes.

Check Control Panel Diagnostics.


Control panel On

Press and Hold R lower button and then press Control Knob for 5 secs.

New Hidden Menu . Scroll to VW Diagnostics.

If there are any codes shown, take note and then Reset/Clear.

Return to Main Menu.

Switch Off Control Panel using L lower button. Wait 30 secs and Switch On.

Check Heater Function.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[scuba phil]

Only other sugestion is to check combustion inlet pipe and exhaust pipe for blanks/blockages if you can get to them(underneath van) and check nothing blocking recirculation air inlet in r/h front step area is not blocked or covered with anything and also exit vent on rh B pillar is not covered.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I've been as far under the van as possible. No signs of anything being blocked, but not sure of the location of the inlet & exhaust to be certain.

 

[scuba phil]

Have you tried a control panel reset ?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I've tried the control panel reset - no joy.

 

[scuba phil]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Going out to try this now.....

 

[scuba phil]

No fault showing.

Looks like a trip back to the dealer.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[Ocean Spirit]

God Luck Phil.
Dissappointing but at least you don't properly need it yet....small mercies?

 

[Loz]

Perhaps the fuel has not been purged, have you tried a few times?

 

[kave]

Same issue with mine in the beginning, try a few times.

 

[jts46]

No fault showing.

Looks like a trip back to the dealer.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Was it sorted?
What was the problem?

 

[Iron Van]

I read that the panel flashes if there is a malfunction.

I can't remember, but what happens when it reaches the temperature that you've set? Have you tried cranking it right up, just in case it's not blowing because it's reached the number you have it set on?

 

[scuba phil]

Apologies for not responding for a while.

Had it back to the dealer on Wednesday - they have no idea what the problem is......

The heater works independently of the controls. They tried a new control unit and that made no difference. So, it seems that there is a fault / communication breakdown between the two.

We're away for the weekend from tonight and then leaving it with the dealer on Sunday. Hopefully they will get it sorted.

 

[JohnGuppy]

Not sure why you say the heater works independently from the control panel I have a remote key fob that talks to the control panel great when you are in bed so a 5 min warn up before one gets up

Getting back to your heater not working was it checked on the PDI inspection or was it handed over to you not working I expect this to be the case

 

[dayslikethis]

Apologies for not responding for a while.

Had it back to the dealer on Wednesday - they have no idea what the problem is......

The heater works independently of the controls. They tried a new control unit and that made no difference. So, it seems that there is a fault / communication breakdown between the two.

We're away for the weekend from tonight and then leaving it with the dealer on Sunday. Hopefully they will get it sorted.

Did you get this resolved?

 

[cipri3004]

My guess is this could be a battery issue. Try to measure the voltage drop with heater on.The system automatically shuts down below 10.5 V. Do not trust the battery, or make a new test with another one. I already changed mine. And make sure the auxiliary battery is charging with engine on..

 

[Loz]

Apologies for not responding for a while.

Had it back to the dealer on Wednesday - they have no idea what the problem is......

The heater works independently of the controls. They tried a new control unit and that made no difference. So, it seems that there is a fault / communication breakdown between the two.

We're away for the weekend from tonight and then leaving it with the dealer on Sunday. Hopefully they will get it sorted.

There are 2 fuses for the heater, one (25A) under the passenger seat and a second (SC54 7.5a)in the fuse panel behind the bottle holder under the gear stick.