Auxiliary heater - how does it work?

[tobyd]

Hi there,

I have a left hand drive ex-germany car that is fitted with the auxiliary heater that has the timer control window just forward of the gear stick. I have no idea how it works or whether it works!

I am trying to find some instructions and also details of where the fuse is so I can get it working now the cold weather is here.

If anyone can tell me how it works and how to trouble shoot it (no life from the display) I would be grateful.

Cheers

Tobyd

 

[Morzine]

Check out Webasto, they do them.

 

[tobyd]

I foundthis reference to the heater on an obscure web page -


'The auxiliary heater (Zusatzheizung, code 228) is a separate heating
system that works independently of the engine. It consists of a
separate burner unit, an electric water pump, a control unit and it
is connected to the coolant circulation of the engine. It is run on
the fuel of the car (either diesel or petrol, these are different
units for obvious reasons) with a separate fuel line from the tank.
This makes it independent from an electrical outlet and from the
engine. It is started either manually, with a timer (mounted on the
center console or in the glovebox) or via a powerful FM-wireless
remote (the Mercedes units for from about 500 to 1000 metres
depending on local circumstances. The latest versions are available
with mobile phone remote control as well.

Once it is started, a spark plug ignites the burner which heats the
coolant up and the water pump recirculates the water through the
engine. The system heats the coolant up to 80°C and works until that
temperature is held in circulation. Once the temperature of 55°C is
achieved, a separate relay starts the heater blower and this heats up
the interior.

Even at very low temperatures in Alpine or Siberian regions, this
heats up the engine and the interior within 20-30 minutes. Apart from
a warm seat when you step in, the heat melts all snow and ice on the
windows without further ado.

Very comfortable and a must in Southern Germany, Switzerland and
Austria.

Many German Taxis have it as well since it helps them keep warm in
Winter when the wait and have no engine running.'

I still need some info to get mine working as well as instructions so if this rings a bell with anyone I'd love to know.
Thanks

Toby.

 

[Morzine]

I will have a look in my E class instuction book after work, I have English and German books and if I find something i'll let you know.

And where I live taxi drivers never turn their engines off. :wink:

 

[tobyd]

Thanks for that.
I live in Halifax and if the taxi's there turned their engines off they'd never start again!

 

[Morzine]

My reference is a 1998 W210.

Looking through the MB books (Interior) page 50 ish, there is about 4 pages of setting instructions usual stuff about immediate or everyday with times etc.

Do you have access to an Interior guide book? If not I could copy and fax you the pages. As for fuses I guess that too should be found in the books.

To be honest I've never seen it before, most mercs in Germany have heated seats, except mine :cry:

 

[tobyd]

I am trying to get an guide book but the 500E is a rare car over here and MBUK cannot get me a guide book that is in english! Any help is very kind.

My car does have heated seats but if I could get the interior warm too then I would not have to scrape the ice off in the morning (my Land Rover project is in my garage).

 

[tobyd]

I have had contact from webasto who supplied the heater to MB and have subsequently obtained some pdf's of the operating instructions as well as a full manual for servicing and troubleshooting.

I hope this will enable me to get my heater working and contact me if you wish me to email the pdf's to you.

Thanks