VW Touareg Auxiliary Heater Issue: Common Fixes & Parts

Had a similar issue with my 2018 Tiguan last winter, spent quite some time figuring out the heat control system problems. After 15 years working on VWs as a hobby mechanic, this was a tricky one. The auxiliary heater problem turned out to be a faulty glow plug, which was completely dead. The temperature sensor was giving false readings, making the system shut down as a safety measure. The blower motor was working fine, but without the glow plug, the heating system refused to activate. Took it to my regular workshop where they diagnosed it properly. Total repair cost was 440€, including parts and labor. The ventilation system needed a thorough inspection to rule out other issues, but the glow plug was definitely the culprit. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage, Any warning lights on the dash, Whether you hear the pump running when attempting to start the heater, If the coolant level has been checked recently These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my Tiguan. Sometimes these problems can also indicate a coolant leak or other related issues in the heating circuit.

Thanks for the detailed reply. My mileage is currently at 68525km with the last service done just two months ago. The auxiliary heater shows a red warning light when attempting activation, and I dont hear the pump running at all. The heater core and all coolant levels were actually checked during the recent service and were fine. The ventilation system works normally through all settings, its just the parking heater/auxiliary heater function thats completely unresponsive. Based on your experience, it does sound similar with the glow plug issue. The complete silence when trying to activate suggests the system might not even be attempting to start. Would be great if fixing the glow plug resolves it, as that seems less costly than replacing the entire heating system.

Sounds exactly like what I experienced with my Tiguan. The red warning light and complete silence from the pump are classic symptoms of a failed glow plug in the auxiliary heating system. When my climate control system showed these same signs, the glow plug had completely failed rather than showing intermittent issues. The good news is your coolant levels and heater core are fine, which rules out more expensive problems. Since your regular ventilation works normally, we can focus specifically on the auxiliary heater components. In my case, the temperature sensor readings were also affected by the faulty glow plug, causing the system to lock out completely. Based on the mileage you mentioned and comparing it to my repair experience, I suggest having the workshop check: 1. The glow plug first 2. The wiring to the auxiliary heater 3. The fuel supply line to the heater If its indeed just the glow plug like in my case, you might be looking at a repair cost between 400-500€. Much better than replacing major components of the heating system. Would you mind sharing what error code is stored? This could confirm if were dealing with the same issue.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I can pull the error code. When I connect my OBD reader it shows P2463. Reading through the workshop manual, this does point to the glow plug circuit like you mentioned. The complete silence of the blower motor and heating system makes sense now, its a safety feature preventing startup with a failed glow plug. Since the ventilation system and climate control work fine otherwise, Im feeling more confident this is the root cause. Ill schedule an appointment and have them focus on checking the glow plug first. The 400-500€ repair cost seems reasonable compared to what I was worried it might be. Really helpful to hear about your similar experience, saved me some diagnostic time and gave me a much better idea of what to expect. Would you mind sharing how long the repair took in your case? Just trying to plan whether this needs a full day at the workshop or if its a shorter job.