Diesel heater blowing cold

[MysterG]

Not used for a couple of weeks, this morning it seemed to start fine. No error codes.
After a while I did not feel any heat.
Went outside, pump is silent. Just the main fan seems to be running.
As I say no errors.

Is there simple way to test the pump or maybe fix it. I understand it's quite a simple thing.
Or maybe it's something further inside the heater itself?

 

[Misterg]

A Chinese one?
Have you tried switching it off and on again? (Seriously)

Listen to see if the pump clicks on re-start.

 

[fizzy]

Check for a blocked filter or perhaps needs priming.

 

[MysterG]

There is fuel in the tube all the way to the heater (yep Chinese one) the pump is just not pumping.

I will try the suggestions.

 

[fizzy]

There is fuel in the tube all the way to the heater (yep Chinese one) the pump is just not pumping.

I will try the suggestions.

Pumps can fail. Only happened to me once. That was because a mate put bleach in the fuel tank instead of kero - bless him
Another time I had the control box/timer fail which gave the same symptoms. Some are provided with 2 different control units so you can try another if you have one. Should be cheap as chips to replace either/both.

 

[qwakers]

put it in prime, if it runs its the controller. if it doesn't it could still be the controller but probably the pump. however it should throw a code if the controller is good.

 

[MysterG]

Well removed pump and applied volts direct and it reacted.
Put it into prime and it pumped.

Removed all power, no difference after reconnecting. Still no pumping or errors.

Are all the 'brains' in the LCD control box?

Guess I'll have to get a replacement to try.
Are they generally all the same?

 

[fizzy]

Well removed pump and applied volts direct and it reacted.
Put it into prime and it pumped.

Removed all power, no difference after reconnecting. Still no pumping or errors.

Are all the 'brains' in the LCD control box?

Guess I'll have to get a replacement to try.
Are they generally all the same?

Yes mine did the same. Faulty control unit. They are all the same just different variants.

 

[fizzy]

Get the most common type. More support on YouTube etc for this type.

12V Diesel Heater LCD Switch Controller with Remote Control

Features: Universal design for most car truck diesel parking heaters on the market. Large LCD screen with remote control, reliable, durable and easy to read. Fuel, electricity, temperature can be set arbitrarily. Timing start or stop. Support time setting. Remote fuel control, provide remote...

www.aimtools.co.uk

 

[m_c]

Not all ECUs and Control panels are interchangeable, as the communication standards vary.

Safest option for compatibility is to get one that is identical to what you're replacing, or buy a matched pair (ECU and controller)

 

[MysterG]

Get the most common type. More support on YouTube etc for this type.

12V Diesel Heater LCD Switch Controller with Remote Control

Features: Universal design for most car truck diesel parking heaters on the market. Large LCD screen with remote control, reliable, durable and easy to read. Fuel, electricity, temperature can be set arbitrarily. Timing start or stop. Support time setting. Remote fuel control, provide remote...

www.aimtools.co.uk

That looks identical apart from mine has a spanner instead of a cog symbol.

 

[qwakers]

you will have main ecu failure not controller failure. although it is worth noting it is also possible you have a temp sensor failure.

this is the ecu kit you want assuming it matches your loom (most are the same plug) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CHF5H9XL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[qwakers]

and obviously the genuine eberspacher pumps are by far the best but on a budget this pump ive found decent...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BNKKPBF4?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[fizzy]

you will have main ecu failure not controller failure. although it is worth noting it is also possible you have a temp sensor failure.

this is the ecu kit you want assuming it matches your loom (most are the same plug) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CHF5H9XL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Mine was just the controller but it is possible I suppose.
The pump of mine that failed after the tank was filled with bleach had done over 5000 hours on kero so nothing really wrong with the pumps. I run 3 of these things.

 

[m_c]

The original ECUs were fairly smart, with the controller doing very little, but later controllers were more smart with the ECU being more dumb.

I fitted an Afterburner controller to mine, and their facebook group has a PDF showing all the compatible and incompatible ECUs. It's a bit of a minefield, as the Chinese have changed the communication protocol a few times, and have now started locking certain parameters. What appears to be a minor variation with the controller, can signify a totally different standard being used.

 

[MysterG]

Mine has not even had 20l through it yet, but I've had it a while.