E320 CDI heater booster

[Bob Falfa]

I've read the handbook on this little button (located beside the asthtry) which (I think) is supposed to give the heater a boost when the weather's as cold as it is. But the question is, when the red light is on, does that mean that the booster is on or off? I only ask as my handbook is not clear, and if it's anything like the air cond (where the light is on when the air cond is off) then I remain confused!

[J500ANT]

Cant you just try it and work it out? I mean, its the right weather for it.

[VX Foxy]

Is it an auxilliary heater that preheats the car before starting the engine?

[Bob Falfa]

J500ANT said:

Cant you just try it and work it out? I mean, its the right weather for it.

You'd think that would work wouldn't you? But there doesn't appear to be any difference to the cabin temp with the light on or the light off! Meanwhile my toes are still freezing

[J500ANT]

The booster on my smart cdi only works if the temp thing is set to full heat, dunno if the Merc is the same?

[kilarney]

Its a mini auxilary heater under the front bumper, if you look the exhaust hangs down. Mine never worked either.

[VX Foxy]

kilarney said:

Its a mini auxilary heater.

I don't think he's interested in knowing that.

[MarsellusWallace]

I think you are getting 2 similar but different things mixed up here.the button on the dash allows the heating system to stay on when the engine is switched off.it uses the residual heat in the ventlation system to keep the car warm for half an hour or so once the engine has been switched off.
The heater booster is activated via the settings menu in the cars speedo.this is for diesel models only and uses a small diesel powered heater to warm the car up from cold quickly(diesel engines can take ages to warm up in cold weather on their own and this device warms the cabin quicker,but only in very cold weather)

[Deva Link]

Depends on the age of the car - the older cars did have a button operated fuel powered heater, but they hardly ever work after a few years.

Mercedes has used several different systems over the years, including electric water and air heater and they're called different things and controlled in different ways. It's all very confusing!

ETA: Have a look through this thread: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t...

Someone with a W210 says the heater should work automatically below 8C but can be turned off if the red light is on (seems counter intuitive, but it's the same with the a/c in my W203 - red light on means a/c is off).

There are also suggested solutions in the thread.

Edited by Deva Link on Sunday 10th January 23:40

[Bob Falfa]

MarsellusWallace said:

I think you are getting 2 similar but different things mixed up here.the button on the dash allows the heating system to stay on when the engine is switched off.it uses the residual heat in the ventlation system to keep the car warm for half an hour or so once the engine has been switched off.
The heater booster is activated via the settings menu in the cars speedo.this is for diesel models only and uses a small diesel powered heater to warm the car up from cold quickly(diesel engines can take ages to warm up in cold weather on their own and this device warms the cabin quicker,but only in very cold weather)

Too right they take ages to warm up - it's still chilly after 40 miles on the motorway! Interesting to hear that oil burners take a long time to warm up.

[Bob Falfa]

Deva Link said:

ETA: Have a look through this thread: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t...

Someone with a W210 says the heater should work automatically below 8C but can be turned off if the red light is on (seems counter intuitive, but it's the same with the a/c in my W203 - red light on means a/c is off).

There are also suggested solutions in the thread.

Edited by Deva Link on Sunday 10th January 23:40

Thanks - thread was useful.

The handbook confirms: light on = system off. As with the air cond, but in this case there is a button marked "EC" which stands for Economy. Press this and the air conditioning is swtiched off, but the red LED comes on. Not very logical or German is it?

[Deva Link]

Bob Falfa said:

Not very logical or German is it?

I suppose it's warning you that it's turned off.

Although in my car when the climate is set to auto is shows a red light. That's really annoying, as red should be reserved for warnings.

[kilarney]

VX Foxy said:

kilarney said:

Its a mini auxilary heater.

I don't think he's interested in knowing that.

If you knew that why did you tell him.