I've checked out the parts on ePER for the electric heater option and it looks like there are some additional parts, like a controller connected into the CAN network and a couple of additional relays. Does anyone know where they are located ?? The diagram in ePER isn't very clear and is for a LHD car, does anyone know if the location would be mirrored for RHD and so would likely be behind the glovebox ?? I can't find any heavy-current wires or connectors under there for the heating element to connect to, so I guess these parts were omitted on the later cars............ perhaps some manual switches and relays are in order, unless anyone has any ideas where the wiring would be hidden ??

I found the place in the heater box where it would go, as per the above photo so that part of the install would be simple !!

Phil.

Davren said:

The additional electric heater element was only fitted as standard to very early Stilos with the JTD engine. From November 2002 it was an optional extra.

I believe it was only fitted (or available as an option) on Stilos with the JTD engine because it uses so much current that it would need the higher capacity battery and higher output alternators that are fitted to the JTD.

The heater element fits into a cutout in the right side of the heater casing. Vehicles without the electric element don't have the cutout, but a blanking panel that's moulded as part of the casing. To retro fit the element, you would need to cut the blanking panel out and devise a method of fitting the element and sealing it to the casing.
.

Click to expand...

Holy thread revival !!

I acquired a suitable heater element and having a couple of hours spare decided to have a go at fitting it. I was planning to do my own thing regarding controlling it after I had it fitted.

Using the above picture as a guide I stripped the console side panel and support metal work off and cut out the indicated panel with a craft knife. (attachment 1).

As you can see it came away quite cleanly, but on inspection inside the heater box you can see there is another plastic stiffener inside, about half way down the heater core. (attachment 2).

Bugger.

Without wanting to dismantle any further, and running out of time and light I decided to put it all back together again !!

Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained as they say !!

Phil.

phil.1380 said:

As you can see it came away quite cleanly, but on inspection inside the heater box you can see there is another plastic stiffener inside, about half way down the heater core.

Click to expand...

Well done for trying.

I can't think of any reason why cars without the PTC heater would have the stiffener and cars with it don't.

If you've still got it open, can you see if the stiffener is moulded as part of the heater casing, or is it a clip in separate part. Perhaps it can be removed.
.

Sadly it looks like it's moulded as part of the heater casing, you can just see the moulding line at the bottom, this follows the curvature of the casing. And it's just far enough inside the casing to be out of reach even at fingertips.

I suppose some kind of heated blade attached to a soldering iron or similar would be able to melt it out, but access is only through the slot on the side so somewhat limited.

Phil.

The extra heater only works on climate controlled JTD's not the standard heater A/C ones. it also plugs into the CANbus system which controls it. it has three resistors the CANbus switches 1,2 or 3 on depending on temp and engine speed etc...and also stops it overheating.

any other ideas for extra heating??, mine takes so long to warm up when its very cold, its a pain to even clear the windows.

redvtec said:

any other ideas for extra heating??, mine takes so long to warm up when its very cold, its a pain to even clear the windows.

Click to expand...

Eberspacher..

or a petrol engine - my JTD is being parked for the 3 months of Southern Englands winter

redvtec said:

any other ideas for extra heating??, mine takes so long to warm up when its very cold, its a pain to even clear the windows.

Click to expand...

Both of my JTDs blow hot from the heater within 4 or 5 minutes of starting the engine. When one of them started taking longer, it was a faulty thermostat. Fitted a new thermostat and it was back to normal.
.

redvtec said:

The extra heater only works on climate controlled JTD's not the standard heater A/C ones. it also plugs into the CANbus system which controls it. it has three resistors the CANbus switches 1,2 or 3 on depending on temp and engine speed etc...and also stops it overheating.

any other ideas for extra heating??, mine takes so long to warm up when its very cold, its a pain to even clear the windows.

Click to expand...

When did you last replace the cabin/pollen filter ?? Mine was filthy, a new one helped a lot !!

Phil.

I have a pollen filter to fit, so i'll try that

Thanks for the advice I think its the thermostat, which looks a bigish job to change, oh for the days of a simple one that just dropped in the rad top.