Heater unit packed up completely!

[Baggie406]

I've got a mad problem going on at the moment.

Last night I got back from the football (2-1 win ! only good thing to happen this weekend!) and tried to turn off the ignition but the key was wedged solid and wouldn't turn !!

After much trying and testing (panicking and flapping) I managed to apply a little directional pressure upwards and the key turned. I figured it was just another "quirk" like the dodgy right indicator, but now there is no power to the heater unit whatsoever.

The screen remains completely blank that usually displays temp and fan speed etc. There is no air from the vents, nothing at all. I have still got interior lights, stereo, everything... but nothing from the heaters whatsoever.

Could anyone offer me some wisdom on what's going on ?! Its just started getting frosty in the mornings and I could do without the delights of driving with my windows open all the time

[Baggie406]

oops - forgot to be more specific... it's the S reg d8 with this heater/climate unit

[gumby6371]

Baggie, first thing is to check fuses (at work now so can't check fuse number), then connections to the control unit, pretty sure there is a how-to on here somewhere but basically lever the MFD and blank button out to access top screws and stereo plus surround to access lower screws.
This might sound silly but have you tried pressing buttons on the display ? when I got my 406 all the bulbs had gone and you could only just see the display from certain angles in the right light.

If all good then I suppose check the heater fan in the passenger footwell but I can't see why the display would die if the motor was playing up.

I'm sure others will be along with more ideas soon but I'd be looking at the above first.

[Baggie406]

thanks mate I have already checked what fuses I could find... I'm stuck at work at the moment, but I've also been through the search engine looking for similar problems. Seems most other occurances had at least SOME functionality but this is a complete failure of the unit, the screen the works.

Seeing as a lot of the similar events involved a dodgy ignition and the key got stuck on mine I'm thinking this is likely. It probably won't be and i'll end up elbows-deep in dashboard

[DiscoPol]

Have a look at the ignition barrel, they are known to burn out on the contacts at the back, worth a quick strip down of the steering column to check, I did mine in no time at all (strip that is)

it just seems a strange coincidence that you had issues with the key and then the heater stopped working to me that says they are connected.


DiscoPol

[FarmerPug]

These D8s dont have a BSI do they, whatever equivilant they have could be worth checking

[Baggie406]

OK so I checked all the fuses near the battery...they're fine. Unfortunately I don't know which fuse to check in the dashboard and I don't know where the passenger side fuse box is... excuse my absolute failure on that part.

I did however strip the cowling from the ignition and did the usual waggling of wires to see if there was a dodgy connection.. no joy. I did the same in the passenger footwell to no avail.

On thing that is odd... on the unit itself, with the headlights on, only the LOWER controls are illuminated. The top buttons such as recirc and the button to direct air up the windscreen do not light up.

I am getting frustrated as it is absolutely hammering it down with rain and I bought my tools to work today to have another look in the daylight but I can't get out there to tinker.

[Baggie406]

My brother in law (the absolute SAINT that he is) did some electrical testing for me yesterday and tracked the fault down to a fault behind the ingnition as suggested previously. It's a switched live that simply does not switch to live... so ignition switch seems to be the problem.

However, I've read a mention in my previous searches of people fixing this using a relay spurred from somewhere else?? does anyone have any more info for me on this one as I'd rather not splash out so much cash for a new switch... any help much appreciated.

For the time being it's bridged from another switched live with a fuse inline. When I crank the blower up high on manual it pops it'll do to get my windscreen cleared on the frosty mornings but isn't much use for anything else so I need a permanent fix.

[DiscoPol]

First of all, sorry i cant give you any more info on the relay jobbie, but somebody will be along soon that hopefully can.

secondly YAY I WAS RIGHT!! for once

I know my self congratulations doesn't help you and may seem a little childish but,

YAY I WAS RIGHT!