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RacerWeber

Urvan Cold Start and PTC Heater Issue

I have a 2006 Nissan Urvan with a diesel engine that's clocked 216199 km. It's running poorly during cold starts. There's a persistent fault code, and fuel consumption has increased. I suspect a defective electric auxiliary heater (PTC heater). Could this be causing the cold air, electrical fault, and temperature control issues in the blower motor system?

4 comment(s)

VossRider

I had similar symptoms on my Urvan. The cold starts were rough, and the fuel consumption was definitely up. Have you checked the voltage going to the PTC heater when the engine is cold? It should be getting power to heat up the air entering the cabin. If it's not getting power, or the heater itself is open circuit, that would explain the symptoms. The PTC heater is basically a resistive element that heats up when electricity passes through it, similar to a space heater, but much smaller and integrated into the HVAC system.

RacerWeber (Author)

When you say similar symptoms, do you mean the exact same error code? Also, what's the best way to access the PTC heater to perform the voltage check? Is it easily accessible, or does it require dismantling part of the dashboard?

VossRider

Yes, it was the exact same error code. Accessing the PTC heater can be a bit tricky. It's usually located within the heater box assembly behind the dashboard. You might be able to access the connector without full disassembly, but honestly, for safety and to avoid damaging anything, I'd recommend taking it to a reputable workshop. They'll have the proper tools and experience to diagnose and replace it correctly. It's not worth risking further damage or injury trying to DIY this one, especially with electrical components involved.

RacerWeber (Author)

I appreciate the advice. I will take it to a trusted workshop for professional diagnosis and repair. I'll post the resolution here. Thank you for your time and expertise.

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