Technical Problem with Heater

[Trenshaw]

Hello,

While driving home from meadow hall, the heater suddenly stopped working, however now when I turn the heater switch on my headlights come on but the heater still isn't working.

Anyone have any idea what I should do? Or what it is? Has the heater gone and need replacing?

I've changed the fuse, and checked the rest to be sure none of them have blown. I've changed the actual switch on the heater control panel.

Regards
Thomas

 

[a1ant]

Hi and WELCOME TO THE FORUM! :wave:

There is a guide I made HERE which explains how to fix your problem.

Hope that helps,

Alan

 

[Ziggy122]

Hi and WELCOME TO THE FORUM! :wave:

There is a guide I made HERE which explains how to fix your problem.

Hope that helps,

Alan

IF you can get a Mk2b connection - they changed it to prevent this issue - but another mk2 thats okay will be fine, its a rare occourance tbh

I couldnt get the connection apart at all - the 2 cables that worked still i left well alone, the damage wire i just cut and shut with a donor vehicle's connection removing the other connections out allowing a tiny bit better air flow through it

ziggy

 

[hyperwitch]

Hi ya, my late 02 punto has developed a similar problem but the headlights/sidelights don't actually come on. checked all fuses all ok. Do these have a internal heater stat that fails.

 

[Ziggy122]

Hi ya, my late 02 punto has developed a similar problem but the headlights/sidelights don't actually come on. checked all fuses all ok. Do these have a internal heater stat that fails.

What are you getting / not getting

Need more info

Ie
works only on 4
Doesn't work at all

Ziggy

 

[hyperwitch]

not getting anything tried all settings 0 to 4........zip.
checked lights/sidelights all settings 0 to 4.........also zip.
Unable to check continuity due to me not having a voltmeter.
So any suggestions on checking without a voltmeter, but i do have a wire with a bulb in circuit. Would that work?

 

[Ziggy122]

not getting anything tried all settings 0 to 4........zip.
checked lights/sidelights all settings 0 to 4.........also zip.
Unable to check continuity due to me not having a voltmeter.
So any suggestions on checking without a voltmeter, but i do have a wire with a bulb in circuit. Would that work?

Do you have a reverse light? Daft question buts its actually vital

Under the passenger dashboard, there will 1 be connection going directly into the motor/fan housing
Wiggle that - any sign of life?

Just to the side of it - will be 1 with 4 wires, give that a wiggle - any life?

ziggy

 

[hyperwitch]

Right it seems that the other half had kicked the wires as i've just wiggled and guess i have a heater, thanks for the help.

 

[Ziggy122]

Right it seems that the other half had kicked the wires as i've just wiggled and guess i have a heater, thanks for the help.

Which one did you wiggle?
The Main feed to the fan or the resistor pack one

As the resistor pack ones are prone to failure

ziggy

 

[Trenshaw]

Ive finally managed to find the time to try the guide i was given but ive still got the same problem. From the photos in the guide it doesn't look like whats under mine so ive taken some photos.

Someone had already tried to fix something because the blue, black and grey wires where covered in blue tape that lead to the box connector (not sure of the name).

The one with the copper connector is the one ive replaced because the one that was on looked blackened/weathered. Photo: http://i.imgur.com/r3DDxfO.jpg

Not sure which wire goes to which connector but still doesnt work. Photo: http://i.imgur.com/Otz2K0a.jpg

There are two little wires behind the plastic cover that look weathered. as does the connector itself but i cant get the connectors out the box. Photo: http://i.imgur.com/YNyhCJ6.jpg

and then im not sure if this is what you meant by the wire needs changing. Photo: http://i.imgur.com/KnJyl2b.jpg

 

[Ziggy122]

Ive finally managed to find the time to try the guide i was given but ive still got the same problem. From the photos in the guide it doesn't look like whats under mine so ive taken some photos.

Someone had already tried to fix something because the blue, black and grey wires where covered in blue tape that lead to the box connector (not sure of the name).

The one with the copper connector is the one ive replaced because the one that was on looked blackened/weathered. Photo: http://i.imgur.com/r3DDxfO.jpg

Not sure which wire goes to which connector but still doesnt work. Photo: http://i.imgur.com/Otz2K0a.jpg

There are two little wires behind the plastic cover that look weathered. as does the connector itself but i cant get the connectors out the box. Photo: http://i.imgur.com/YNyhCJ6.jpg

and then im not sure if this is what you meant by the wire needs changing. Photo: http://i.imgur.com/KnJyl2b.jpg

by the looks of it - yes somebody has damaged the connection for the fan itself, and they've simply cut the old connector off and used spade terminals to reconnect it up

The last picture you posted up of a big blocky connector - thats the the earthing and power feed for the fan
I'd be tempted to see if you can get that bugger apart, if its seized solid - i'd suspect thats your issue there

But without a multi-meter its bloody hard to tell

Ziggy

 

[Trenshaw]

by the looks of it - yes somebody has damaged the connection for the fan itself, and they've simply cut the old connector off and used spade terminals to reconnect it up

The last picture you posted up of a big blocky connector - thats the the earthing and power feed for the fan
I'd be tempted to see if you can get that bugger apart, if its seized solid - i'd suspect thats your issue there

But without a multi-meter its bloody hard to tell

Ziggy

Is it difficult to remove the heater unit from under the passenger footwell? i think that be easier to work with, id be able to see the extent of the damage more.

i really need to get this fixed. my window mists over while driving and most of the time the window is covered in condensation

 

[Trenshaw]

Ok, found the problem (99% sure)



I managed to get the earth connector apart and as you can see one is burnt. How can I fix this?

 

[Ziggy122]

Ok, found the problem (99% sure)

View attachment 146068

I managed to get the earth connector apart and as you can see one is burnt. How can I fix this?

You very lucky then to get it apart
I had one that melted together and i couldnt simply get it part

Eitherway
1 of 2 options that i'd persue

1 - Get some suitable guage wire and bypass the connection point there to restore flow

2 - get a donor connection plug off a good punto - once that hasn't melted, cut the lots of loom off - and then simply
A - use the donor loom to bypass that 1 damaged wire
B - Cut the whole connector and replace it with what you've got off the scrappy

I did this on a customers car - i used option A, as it didnt pull apart

Ziggy

 

[Trenshaw]

Would bypassing it be dangerous ? I assume I'd do it by

Connecting it together and the two wires either side that are melted cut behind the plug and bridge the connection with the wire?

 

[Trenshaw]

GOOD NEWS EVERY ONE!

Cut and connected the two black wires and now it's working again! Awesome! Thanks for all the help

 

[Brendan W]

It's only dangerous if you don't do it right. Wire needs to be the right size and the connections have to be good. Crimped with a proper tool with the right size connectors or soldered with heatshrink sleeves. Screw connectors are a big NO for me as are Scotchlocks.
Ideally, as Ziggy mentioned a replacement plug is the best way. Finding a used plug in good condition will be difficult.