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2001 Vectra CDX Diesel Heater

Hi there,

I have just noticed that the heater only blows cold air on ECO and a damn site colder on AIR CON.  The controls are digital and I think the temp control is working cos when in Auto mode the blower cuts in/out when I change the temp up/down.  Engine temp seems normal (about 90) and no loss of coolant.  (In fact header tank is 7/8ths full when engine is hot (at the time of writing I've not checked it cold).  Maybe the Matrix is blocked/air locked which would displace coolant back to header tank?  Engine Management light has been coming on occasionally on longish runs (100 miles +).  Switching off/on clears it and she runs fine again but would that impact on the heater?

Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated, as I'm sure Vauxhall would sort it but I already have one mortgage.

Regards
Dave


Hi David,

It does sound like a blocked Heater Matrix...quite common on early Vauxhalls because they used Aluminium based ones which corroded and broke up quite a lot.

If it were me, I'd nip into A1 Motor Stores and get a good Cooling System Flush and try flushing out the Cooling / Heating system first - it might work, though from your description it may not...It's worth a try though.

Most reasonably good garages should be able to change a Matrix for you and therefore give you a fairly accurate quote...If you do go down this route, make sure they use the correct Coolant for your car, many of these problems are being caused by garages and owners just putting ordinary "Antifreeze" in the vehicles instead of using the proper coolant for the vehicle involved.

You may also have a Heater Control Unit on the back of the heater - this can also give these symptoms - so it's worth asking the garage to check this out too just in case...if it is and it does, it will be a whole lot quicker and much cheaper to change.

I hope this is of some help to you, please let me know how you get on, you may help others who visit our free website.

Good luck.
Bill