VW Touran Auxiliary Heater Fix, Expert Solutions

Having dealt with a similar heating system issue on my 2001 VW Sharan, I can share my experience. The blower motor and climate control were working fine, but the auxiliary heater was completely dead, similar to your situation. After running diagnostics, the repair shop found a faulty glow plug in the auxiliary heating unit. The temperature sensor readings were normal, but the glow plug failure prevented the heater from activating properly. The total repair cost was 440€, which included parts and labor. The car heater works perfectly now, and the ventilation system operates as intended. Could you share: Current mileage on your Touran, Whether you notice any unusual sounds when trying to activate the heater, If you have any specific error codes stored, If the main heating system still works normally This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced and could guide you toward the right solution. Remember that while the symptoms sound alike, proper diagnosis is essential since auxiliary heater problems can have various causes.

Just had my last service 2 months ago at 20942km and the technician didnt notice any heater core issues back then. The main heating system still functions normally with no unusual sounds. Error code scanner shows P0245. The heat control unit responds but the auxiliary heater simply wont start. No clicking or humming sounds when attempting activation. Main concern is getting this fixed before temperatures drop further since the standard heater takes quite long to warm up the cabin.

Thanks for providing those details about your Touran. Having gone through this with my Sharan, the P0245 code and symptoms actually point to a different issue than what I experienced. The lack of clicking or humming sounds when attempting to activate the auxiliary heater, combined with normal main heating system operation, suggests a potential fuel solenoid valve problem rather than the glow plug issue I had. The heater core and temperature sensor readings being normal explains why your standard heating system still works. But the auxiliary heater requires proper fuel delivery to function, and a faulty solenoid valve would prevent fuel from reaching the heating unit. Based on my repair experience, you should expect repair costs between 280-350€, significantly less than what I paid for the glow plug replacement. The solenoid valve is generally easier to access and replace. The 20942km mileage is quite low for this type of failure, but these components can fail regardless of mileage, especially if the auxiliary heater hasnt been used regularly. Regular activation during warmer months helps maintain these systems. Might be worth getting this checked soon since you mentioned the standard heater takes time to warm up. A properly functioning auxiliary heating system makes a huge difference in cold starts.

This repair turned out exactly as suggested. The solenoid valve was indeed the culprit in my auxiliary heater system. After replacement, which cost 320€ including labor, the heater now starts immediately and warms up the cabin much faster than relying on the standard heating system alone. The ventilation system and temperature controls work perfectly together now, and the error code has cleared completely. The blower motor delivers warm air within minutes of starting the car, which is a huge improvement over the slow warmup I was experiencing before. This fix was definitely worth it since the standard car heater alone wasnt cutting it during cold starts. The repair shop also recommended running the auxiliary heater briefly once a month during warmer seasons to prevent similar issues in the future. Really appreciate the accurate diagnosis suggestion that helped save both time and money on unnecessary parts replacement.