[TDI-R]

After $700 in Batteries and labor, the dealership is telling me the root cause is a "bad Electric heater core." Now I don't know what this is, but they can't tell me what the part is exactly, and what it does other than heat the air before the fluid heater core is warm, or why/how it was causing the car batteries to be dead, and not way to promise me that its actually failed, and isn't a computer problem.

How much should it cost to replace? is this part OOP? they've had the car for over a week, and can't seem to get the part in.:anger:

 

[Scubacruiser]

I wonder if they are talking about the Webasto. This runs on diesel fuel and heats the coolant while the engine is warming up. In some cases, it can be modified to work as a parking heater. When it's acting as a parking heater, it could possibly run your battery flat since it runs without the engine running and charging the battery. I can't imagine the dealer being so incompetent that they don't know what the part is or does.

 

[TDI-R]

They SPECIFICALLY Told me it was a Factory part that run on electrical. So are they full of ****?

They also told me that if they JUST pulled the fuse it would be "fixed" except I'd have to wait for the car to warm up before I'd get heat.

 

[Scubacruiser]

The Webasto is a factory part on your V10. Without knowing your location, it's hard to determine if your ambient temps are low enough to necessitate having a functional Webasto.

I still can't see how a malfunctioning Webasto would cause battery drain when it only runs when the engine is running.

 

[TDI-R]

Considering we just got hit with 3 feet of snow, I am going to assume Yes it is.

Their own words are that it caused the batteries to be drained beyond use, and could not be recharged and HAD to be replaced.

If it was running/working shouldn't I be out of Diesel too?

 

[alhutch]

It's not a Webasto. Starting in roughly '04-05, VW begin to deploy supplemental electric heat in TDI models to get warmth in the cabin before the car's coolant was warm enough to provide heat.

Aux heater??? - TDIClub Forums

 

[Scubacruiser]

I think all V10s have a Webasto. Only the V6 TDIs got the electric auxiliary heater.

 

[alhutch]

Based on the OP's problem description, I didn't think it would be a Webasto issue, but maybe that is what the dealer is eluding to.

 

[TDI-R]

Based on the OP's problem description, I didn't think it would be a Webasto issue, but maybe that is what the dealer is eluding to.

Dealership might be full of ****.

And trying to rip me off for being a female driver. wouldn't be the first time.

 

[nickm]

Ideally you should get your hands on a vcds and run a scan and post it here.

V10s only have a Webasto heater, not an electric one like other tdis It does need power to run but the vehicle won't let it run down the battery. It only operates when you run the engine...you'll see the exhaust coming out from under the drivers side front fender.

As mentioned someone may have wired in a preheater mod.p which would allow it to run with engine off and possibly drain your battery if it wasn't wired correctly.

In any case tough to help on an issue like this without a vcds scan

 

[noobytoogy]

I think it is a Webasto issue. Isn't there usually a Webasto sticker on the door frame?

Call the garage and ask them specifcally if this is what they are talking about?

And ask them to email you with exactly what they intend to do to the car for your $700 and what parts they are replacing so you have it in writing.

Tell them to pull the fuse for the time being!

Whilst you are at it, ask them to run off the car's build sheets - also known as the data sheets.

This will several pages long and will tell you about everything your car was built with including, if fitted, the Webasto heater.

The heater can work in two ways: it can either help to heat the coolant on cold days when the car is started because diesel engines are slow to build up heat, or, if it has been programmed to a timer, it can be used to heat the coolant before you start the car so you get into a warm vehicle.

The heater, when functioning correctly, will only start if the fuel tank is more than 1/4 full.

 

[TDI-R]

If I had one I would. I am going to contact VW of America, and talk with them about this.

 

[noobytoogy]

Get the correct details of the intended repair from your dealer first before you start yanking anyone's chain.

 

[TDI-R]

I called the Dealer and he assures me that it heated be a controlled "short Basically" so either he has no idea or my car is special?

 

[Fourdiesel]

If I had one I would. I am going to contact VW of America, and talk with them about this.

We STILL don't know what part of the US you are located. "A couple of feet of snow" covers a lot of territory this week!
It is REALLY helpful to know WHERE. I will not waste time recommending a good independent dealer near me if I know you are on the other side of the country. Likewise, someone who knows of a good mechanic near you will not make any recommendation if he doesn't know where 'near you' is and you will never know about it.
Sounds like the dealer is giving you technobabble. The cure is to get another opinion from someone qualified that doesn't have anything to do with that dealer.

 

[nickm]

If I had one I would. I am going to contact VW of America, and talk with them about this.

Don't waste your time. It's not a manufacturers issue and they won't do squat about poor dealer service.

Look up the vag com locator thread for someone near you or at least post your closest major city so someone can advise on a service shop.

 

[nickm]

I called the Dealer and he assures me that it heated be a controlled "short Basically" so either he has no idea or my car is special?

All 2006 v10s came with the exact same options. Impossible to advise you without the scan information.

 

[TDI-R]

Don't waste your time. It's not a manufacturers issue and they won't do squat about poor dealer service.

Look up the vag com locator thread for someone near you or at least post your closest major city so someone can advise on a service shop.

Philadelphia - Allentown

I still have 10k on the warranty or 7 more month.

I tried one of the listed TDI techs from the list of "good Tdi mechanics on one of the sites. Kids name was Roman, never called me back, ended up having to take it to the dealer because he never called back.

 

[TDI-R]

Spoke with service manager one last time. he assures me its an Electrical Heater. I asked if its the one thats also standard on the TDI Jetta, he said yes, he assures me the part has been ordered, and that the process involved 6 labor hours ripping apart the Dash.....

From what I know about my 2006 its was a Texas car, build early 2006 MY, and lacks the DPF. the only thing that has been done out side of factory on the car tha ti know of is a Electric break for the Trailer, but the trailer hitch is factory, and the placment of the 7pin looks factory, so I am not even sure....


As this point the web of lies that this dealer has spun as so deep and so complex I feel like i don't want to have my car serviced there.

When i asked about driving it until the part came in (I'd never go back to have them service it since i know everything is lies) they told me its a $250 diagnostics fee and a deposit on the part. He also told me there was no harm from running the car under temp, and that not having the heater wouldn't cause any issues (this would be right if it was the electric one in the v6, but in the v10 isnt it there to bring the coolant temperature up faster to keep the car from harm as well as the passenger compartment its been in the Teens here all week for average daily temperature, (or at least when i leave for work)?)

They claim; That they had to reset the batteries (you know the new ones that they just put in for me @$700.) Then run extensive tests with a VW specialist to find out where the electrical draw was coming from.

At this point I am 85% sure this dealership are crooks. And are just lying to Lie, thinking that they can get a few extra bucks out of a Touareg Driver, in the name of a "Luxury SUV."

 

[Scubacruiser]

FYI, the Webasto is installed in the driver's side front fender just behind the tire. Remove the wheel, remove the fender liner and there it is. I have no idea why they want to rip apart the dash. Run away!