rainerkrueger58

Elgrand rough running cold PTC heater

I'm having trouble with my 2001 Nissan Elgrand diesel. It's got about 248,576 km on the clock. Lately, it's been running really rough when it's cold, like it's struggling to get going. Plus, I keep getting an error code popping up, and I'm sure it's guzzling more fuel than usual. A friend reckons it could be something to do with the electric auxiliary heater – the PTC heater. Does that even sound plausible? I'm not exactly a mechanic, so any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

The 2001 Nissan Elgrand diesel is experiencing rough running when cold, accompanied by error codes and increased fuel consumption. A potential cause identified is a defective PTC heater, which is an electric auxiliary heater. The issue is similar to another case where the PTC heater was confirmed as the problem through professional diagnostics. The recommended solution is to have the vehicle checked and repaired by a professional, as fixing the PTC heater may not be straightforward for someone without expertise in vehicle electrics.

Did this summary help you solve your problem?

4 comment(s)

That's a pickle. I had a similar issue with my Elgrand. From your description, it certainly sounds like the PTC heater could be the culprit. Have you checked the blower motor to see if it's functioning correctly? Sometimes a faulty blower can indirectly affect the heater's performance. Also, is the temperature control acting strangely at all? Any weird fluctuations?

Thanks for that! The blower motor seems to be working fine – it's blowing air, anyway. The temperature control seems alright once the engine warms up, but it's definitely all over the place during that initial cold start. What exactly happened with yours? Did it throw up the same symptoms? And how did you eventually sort it?

Yep, pretty much identical symptoms. Rough running on cold starts, error codes, and the fuel consumption was through the roof. I suspected the electric auxiliary heater right away, but couldn't confirm it myself. I ended up taking it to a workshop. They ran some diagnostics and the PTC heater was indeed defective. It's not something you can easily fix yourself unless you're quite confident with electrics. Honestly, I'd recommend getting it checked out by a professional.

Cheers for the advice! Sounds like a trip to the workshop is on the cards then. I was hoping it would be something simple, but I guess not! They've quoted me around 350€ for the heater repair, which seems steep, but if it sorts out the running issues and fuel consumption, it'll be worth it in the end. Thanks again for sharing your experience!

rmh_community_comment_box_header

community_crosslink_scanner_headline

community_crosslink_scanner_intro

community_crosslink_scanner_title

community_crosslink_scanner_price

community_crosslink_rmh_headline

community_crosslink_rmh_intro

community_crosslink_rmh_title

community_crosslink_rmh_subtitle

community_crosslink_rmh_brand

NISSAN

community_crosslink_rmh_model

ELGRAND