how to test fuel burning heater working?

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cairnstd4sport53

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I have found an 'exhaust' pipe in front of the passenger side front wheel, suggesting I have a fbh on my 2004 td4. Recent weather starting temperatures have been 3-4 below zero, however i have seen no sign of the fbh working( blower on 1st or 2nd setting, temperature setting on hot.....said exhaust pipe cold at the beginning and end of a run). I have checked the fuses as stated in user manual and all okay. I am aware of the air sensor being restrictive between 0-5 degrees, however at minus 4 I thought it would have cut in?? Is there an easy way to check the thing works without taking the front bumper section off????
My heated windscreen element has given up so a working fbh would 'help' speed up the inner defrosting.
 
Three failed ignition cycles will cause the FBH to lock out. If a fuel burning heater isn't working due to lock out pulling fuse 5 from the engine compartment fusebox for a few seconds while the ignition is on will reset its ecu. If that doesn't sort it then it's likely to be a faulty outside temperature sender. Unfortunately the wiring is so inaccessible that you have no choice but to remove the front bumper and insert a paperclip into the sensor plug to bridge the connections. If the heater fires up the OT sensor is faulty. A new sensor is 20 something pounds from the stealers.
Removing the front actually isn't that difficult tbh.
 
Hello Chaser.. Thats brill advise.. My heater used to work but hasnt for the past 2 winters.. Where abouts is the temp sensor? and do you have to remove bumper to access it? I was told that you can do somethiong to the wiring to power it up from within the n/s front wheel arch?..cheers
 
The OT sensor is behind the bumper so if it's knackered and you want it to work automatically according to temperature you will have to remove the bumper to replace the sensor.

I think pin 1 of the large connector on the heater has to be live to activate the heater.
 
Thanks Chaser again..... Can i get to the OT wires without removing bumper,, I fancy bridgeing the wires and the if heater works, fitting a switch.... I'll try the fuse reset morro morning........
 
Three failed ignition cycles will cause the FBH to lock out. If a fuel burning heater isn't working due to lock out pulling fuse 5 from the engine compartment fusebox for a few seconds while the ignition is on will reset its ecu. If that doesn't sort it then it's likely to be a faulty outside temperature sender. Unfortunately the wiring is so inaccessible that you have no choice but to remove the front bumper and insert a paperclip into the sensor plug to bridge the connections. If the heater fires up the OT sensor is faulty. A new sensor is 20 something pounds from the stealers.
Removing the front actually isn't that difficult tbh.


Thanks Chaser....great advice. Will put it into practice tommorow.:)


If a fuel burning heater isn't working due to lock out pulling fuse 5 from the engine compartment fusebox for a few seconds while the ignition is on will reset its ecu.
.............acting upon the said advice, the FBH fires into action!!:5bparty
 
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Thanks Chaser again..... Can i get to the OT wires without removing bumper,, I fancy bridgeing the wires and the if heater works, fitting a switch.... I'll try the fuse reset morro morning........

Taking the bumper off takes half an hour and is the easiest way to access the sensor and it's wires. I've tried to find a place to intersect the wiring but it's all very well hidden.:(
 
Three failed ignition cycles will cause the FBH to lock out. If a fuel burning heater isn't working due to lock out pulling fuse 5 from the engine compartment fusebox for a few seconds while the ignition is on will reset its ecu. If that doesn't sort it then it's likely to be a faulty outside temperature sender. Unfortunately the wiring is so inaccessible that you have no choice but to remove the front bumper and insert a paperclip into the sensor plug to bridge the connections. If the heater fires up the OT sensor is faulty. A new sensor is 20 something pounds from the stealers.
Removing the front actually isn't that difficult tbh.

Superb advice, this just got ours going, thank very much!
 
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