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Auxiliary Heater only runs for 5 minutes?

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b20wht
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Auxiliary Heater only runs for 5 minutes?

Post by b20wht » Tue Jan 19, 2016 7:29 pm

So I have my aux heater enabled and it has been fine for a few months, but recently after setting the timer at night I've been getting in to only a semi warm car, so tonight I monitored it and it only ran for 5 mins then switched off, I reset it and it did the same again! Can anyone shed any light to what could be causing it? It has a fairly new decent battery on it so don't think its that, any help would be appreciated guys thanks.
2004 X5 3.0d

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jaynana
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Re: Auxiliary Heater only runs for 5 minutes?

Post by jaynana » Tue Jan 19, 2016 7:39 pm

Check whilst car is on a charger. If it runs for longer the issue is the battery.

This is the most probable cause with my experience (yeh new battery here too but little use during week days meant insufficient charge to run aux for half hr X 2 most days).

If there's no difference your aux heater has a problem. Typically full startup/shutdown sequence can take Upto 3 mins (never 5 though).  So this is unlikely. If however this is the case, enjoy diagnosing [emoji39]


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sprintman
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Re: Auxiliary Heater only runs for 5 minutes?

Post by sprintman » Wed Jan 20, 2016 10:53 pm

more than likely battery  problem-the ecu detects the level of charge in the battery  and if it drops below a certain level then the aux heater wont run-i have two battery,s -both ok(tested) but i only do short runs and they last about 3-4 weeks before the aux heater stops working ( i have it programmed to start most mornings 1/2 hour before i leave for work) when it doesn,t work i just swop the battery over for my spare-which i charge up when i remove from my car so its ready for when needed
one interesting observation is that i have a banner and a bosch s5- the banner last longer!!! i have checked for faulty alternator but checks out fine not checked for any parasitic drain but will get round to that soon !!
My other car is the wife's mini dooper( it must be mine all she does is drive it!)

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b20wht
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Re: Auxiliary Heater only runs for 5 minutes?

Post by b20wht » Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:45 pm

Yep it turns out you are both correct.  I gave the battery a full trickle charge/condition and its fine again.  I to mostly do short journeys so I guess its just not running long enough to charge the battery back up each time.  Oh well at least its nothing actually wrong with it, cheers for the help.
2004 X5 3.0d

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