PTC Heater Issues Causing Alfa Cold Start Troubles

As someone with some hands-on experience with diesel engines, I had a very similar issue with my 2006 Alfa 159 2.4 JTD. The heat not working properly was my first indication something was wrong, followed by rough cold starts and increased fuel usage. After multiple cold starts with poor performance, I took it to a workshop where they diagnosed a faulty electrical auxiliary heater. The blower motor was working fine, but the heating system wasn't providing adequate warmth during startup. They found an electrical fault in the PTC heater unit itself. The repair cost me 350 Euro including parts and labor. Since the fix, cold starts have been smooth, and the heating system works perfectly again. Fuel consumption returned to normal levels too. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: The exact engine variant of your 159, What error codes you're seeing, Whether the cold air problem occurs only during startup or continuously, Current outside temperatures when you experience these issues This information would help determine if your symptoms match what I experienced with my auxiliary heater replacement.

Last serviced at 78340KM and I am now seeing these symptoms worsen. The electrical fault and error codes on the PTC heater seem to match what you experienced. The blower motor works fine but no heat comes out during the first 10 minutes of driving. The heating element must be replaced as the heating system is clearly malfunctioning. Thanks for confirming the repair costs, 350 Euro seems reasonable for this type of fix.

Thanks for providing those additional details about your 159. After getting my PTC heater replaced on my Alfa, I monitored the system closely and noticed a few key improvements you should expect after repair: The HVAC system now heats up in about 2-3 minutes versus the 10-minute delay you described. The temperature control became much more responsive, especially during those critical first minutes after a cold start. My fuel consumption dropped by roughly 12% after fixing the electrical fault in the heater unit. The engine also runs notably smoother during cold starts now that the auxiliary heating system works properly. Just make sure the workshop checks the entire heating circuit, not just the PTC element. In my case, they found some minor wiring issues that could have caused problems later if left unaddressed. The 350 Euro repair cost ended up being worth every cent considering the improved performance and comfort. If your symptoms match mine this closely, you are definitely on the right track with the PTC heater diagnosis.

Thanks for all the detailed information about PTC heater issues. Mine is a 1.9 JTD variant running at 78340KM. Temperature control seems identical to what you described, no proper heat for about 10 minutes after startup. The error codes are pointing to a heater malfunction and the cold air problem is definitely worse during the initial drive phase. The heating system problems started gradually but are now quite noticeable, especially with fuel consumption having increased about 15% from normal. Given how closely my symptoms match your experience with the electrical fault, I will proceed with the PTC heater replacement. The 350 Euro repair cost seems like a worthwhile investment to resolve these cold start issues and get the HVAC system working properly again. Have scheduled an appointment with my regular workshop for next week. Will update the forum once the repair is completed in case others run into similar temperature control problems with their 159 JTDs.