alexander_beck77

Seat Alhambra diesel cold start issue

My 2012 Seat Alhambra with a diesel engine is giving me some trouble. It has about 159145 km on it. I've noticed it runs poorly when I first start it up in the cold weather. Also, there's an error stored in the memory, and my fuel consumption seems higher than usual. Could the heat not working properly be related? I suspect it might be the electric auxiliary heater. Any ideas?

The 2012 Seat Alhambra diesel engine experiences poor performance during cold starts, increased fuel consumption, and a stored error code, potentially linked to a malfunctioning electric auxiliary heater. The primary suspect is a defective PTC heater, which can be confirmed through a diagnostic check to read the error code. Checking the voltage supply and fuses related to the heating system is recommended, but professional diagnosis and repair at a workshop are advised for accurate resolution.

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The symptoms you describe, such as poor engine running during cold starts, the stored error, and increased fuel consumption, strongly suggest a defective PTC heater. To confirm, a diagnostic check should be performed to read the specific error code. This will help determine if the electric auxiliary heater is indeed the source of the problem. I would check the voltage supply.

Thanks for the quick response. Can you elaborate on what I should check regarding the voltage supply? What is the expected voltage?

A defective electric auxiliary heater is the most probable cause. Without knowing the specific error code, further remote diagnostics are limited. Testing the voltage supply requires specialized tools and knowledge to prevent electrical damage. You could check the fuses related to the heating system as a first step. If the fuses are intact, I advise taking the vehicle to a qualified workshop for professional diagnosis and heater repair of the HVAC system.

I took it to the workshop and you were spot on. It was indeed the electric auxiliary heater. The heater repair cost me 350€. Thanks a lot for your help!

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SEAT

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ALHAMBRA