Aygo rough running on start PTC heater fault

I'm having a weird issue with my 2006 Toyota Aygo diesel. Lately, it's been running really rough when I first start it up in the mornings – almost like it's not getting enough fuel. I've also noticed my fuel consumption has gone up a bit. Plus, I plugged it into a code reader and it's showing an error related to the heater. Could this be related? The car has 87723 km on the clock. Any ideas?

4 comment(s)

The symptoms you describe, coupled with a heater-related error code, strongly suggest a problem with the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater, sometimes referred to as an electric auxiliary heater. This is designed to assist with cabin and engine warming during cold starts. Is the blower motor functioning correctly? Have you checked the heating element?

PTC heater? I've never even heard of that! Where exactly is that located, and how would I go about checking if the heating element is working properly? I'm not the most mechanically inclined, so please keep it simple!

Given your description and limited technical expertise, further DIY diagnosis may be challenging. It would be prudent to have a qualified mechanic inspect the electric auxiliary heater. A defective unit could indeed cause the poor running and increased fuel consumption you're experiencing. Expect a repair cost in the region of 350€.

Thanks so much for the info! I took it to a local garage and they confirmed it was the PTC heater. They replaced it, and now the car is running perfectly again. Fuel consumption is back to normal too. Cheers!

Join the discussion now: