Broken Heater Help

[ayd]

The Audi A4 I picked up recently has a problem with the heater.

 

It only works on the highest setting and none of the the others.

 

Had a quick google around and it seems that the common cause of this problem is the heater resistor.

 

Being a very amatuer mechanic (i.e. I can manage a small serice) my knowledge is limited but is this resistor usually the case of the issue before I pop off and buy one?

[retrogeezer]

Yes, usually it is and a common issue on lots of cars.

 

Highest setting = full 12 volts, the resistor reduces the voltage for the lower 3 settings so when it packs up only the highest setting works.

[cobblers]

Sounds about right. Pretty much bound to be either the resistor or the switch, but if it's the switch it's usually the higher settings that go and the lower ones still work.

[ayd]

 

Highest setting = full 12 volts, the resistor reduces the voltage for the lower 3 settings so when it packs up only the highest setting works.

 

 

when explained like that it makes perfect sense. Many thanks.

[Albert Ross]

I think you mean the BLOWER motor resistor. The heater makes the heat, the blower well, blows it about.

[dollywobbler]

Be warned that it ranges from an easy to fix to an absolute nightmare pig of a job depending on where exactly it is fitted...

[Cavcraft]

If it's the same as a B5 Passat then remove the glovebox, look up behind it and you'll see the blower. Remove it and look at the bushes, they wear like a bastard but are only about £7.50 or something to replace.

My lad'll remember better than I but I don't think it was desperately hard to do, more fiddly arsing about getting glove box etc out.

 

Here you go...

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A4-Heate ... 1c1befd3fe

 

 

...so it will be the same principle as the Passat.

[ayd]

found a handy guide and within 10 mins it was out.

 

http://www.blower-motor-resistor.co.uk/ ... istor.html

 

got the part number just trawling the bay and breakers for a replacement or if worst comes to worst it seems the company in the link will repair them.