Confusion over auxiliary heater options

[Doc]

I have noticed a few people recently who are confused over the auxiliary heater option when purchasing a new Caddy4.
It appears even most dealers do not know what they are offering, which from a professional sales point of view is disappointing.

There are two main options:
1. The Electric PTC heating element (PR-9M7)
This is a 1kW electrical element which is installed in the airflow directly after the main heater matrix.
The PTC unit has a two stage operation governed by the ECU based on alternator load, heat demand on the cabin controls and coolant temperatrue.



2. The fuel operated water heater (PR-7VE, PR-7VL & PR-9M5)
The is in essence a water boiler run off of the vehicles fuel.
There are options within this category, 9M5 being a basic preheater to speed up heating of the coolant as the engine runs, 7VE having a timer control, 7VL an additional radio remote.




If you need to know which version your sales person is ordering for you, have them supply the PR code and check against the above.

[alunj]

Thanks for that useful info . This confirms then for me I have the basic fuel powered heater on my order. Its listed as 9M5.
I understand I can enhance that with a telestart module and use it as a full on parking heater ?
Have had the Webasto Diesel units before. This wil be on a petrol so I assume its a petrol based unit too .

[Jasons6930]

As far as i was aware, there weren't options as when i spoke to VW about it, all you get is the Aux heater that comes on when the outside temp is 4oC or below. There wasn't an option at the time to have it timed or for a remote.

The electric heater was only available with the Winter Pack option, that also includes heated seats, washer jets, headlight washers and washer level warning.

[LTCKY]

Cheers Doc, shame the sales team at VW don't have a clue when it comes to this option. I had to wait a week for them to get details from Germany on what I actually had.

[alunj]

As far as i was aware, there weren't options as when i spoke to VW about it, all you get is the Aux heater that comes on when the outside temp is 4oC or below. There wasn't an option at the time to have it timed or for a remote.

The electric heater was only available with the Winter Pack option, that also includes heated seats, washer jets, headlight washers and washer level warning.

Your correct, The leccy one is part of the winter pack , but there was an additional heater listed separately in the build.
This has shown up as the fuel powered one on the build confirmation. It doesn't as you say come with any ability at all to turn it on or off but there are docs that show you how to modify it to do just that . I wont know for a fact until the Caddy arrives but we are pretty sure its the 9M5. VW do seem a little clueless on this item and I am grateful to Doc for finding the info he has for this thread

[SnoWhite]

Doc - do you know if anyone has successfully retrofitted the PTC unit into a 2K facelift Caddy? The PTC ability to quickly provide warm air to the screen once the engine is running would make a huge difference on short winter trips where the temperature gauge does not budge off the stop.

[tommyzooom]

Doc - do you know if anyone has successfully retrofitted the PTC unit into a 2K facelift Caddy? The PTC ability to quickly provide warm air to the screen once the engine is running would make a huge difference on short winter trips where the temperature gauge does not budge off the stop.

I don't know if this has been done before, but I've just bought an element, I'll try and get it sorted before the winter lol
If it has been done I'd appreciate any advice.

[stan-the-man]

What pn is it Andrew? You will need oem loom to wire it up to battery. I think it's 6mm2 gauge wires needed + canbus


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[tommyzooom]

Going by etka....1K0-963-235F

[Doc]

I fitted the smart version (1K0-963-235E) at the end of January but with the mild winter I can't say for sure if it would be of use on a very frosty morning.
It certainly does give warm air and quite quickly so it's bound to be of some benefit.
Not sure how well the older smart version integrates to the more modern HVAC panels.

[tommyzooom]

I was just going by what etka stated Doc.
How does the F version differ?

[Doc]

F version is the "dumb" version which uses external relays controlled by the ECU to determine the power output.
I believe there are 3 relays for 3 individual PTC elements in the heater.
From memory, two are switched at the same time as the ECU has only 2 outputs (Aux heat high & low) but both can run together so all 3 elements are in operation for maximum heating.
The smart version I fitted takes care of the switching internally with solid state relays so you only bring one 100A supply and ground and a CANbus connection.

[tommyzooom]

Hmmm, that sounds a lot easier to wire up. I might cancel my "dumb" one then so.

[Doc]

I'm not 100% certain on compatibility as the smart version did not come on vehicles with the 03L ECU.
I know mine did switch power output between idle and higher RPMs which is a good sign but I didn't get around to giving it a proper test and watching it in action with logging etc.

[alunj]

Well the caddy has arrived at dealer and it definitely does have a fuel powered aux heater . Now to get it working as a parking heater . Well once I get the caddy on the drive !