block heater recall

[VeeDubTDI]

I was planning to visit VW dealer and order new 2015 Passat but after reading these posts I have decided to plug it in and see it go up in flames. I'm tired of all recalls and warranty repairs on my Passat. Is there anything on this car that does not fail?

All of the recalls? To my knowledge there have only been two. One for the block heater, and the other for the headlights.

 

[Nebelwerfer]

I was planning to visit VW dealer and order new 2015 Passat but after reading these posts I have decided to plug it in and see it go up in flames. I'm tired of all recalls and warranty repairs on my Passat. Is there anything on this car that does not fail?

I agree with VeeDubTDI, I only know of two recalls here in Canuckistan.

As for warranty work, that's what it's for. I've only gone in for one warranty thing since March 2012.

 

[weebl]

The parts for the recall are available in limited quantities in Canada now. At least for the colder regions. I just had mine done yesterday.

While I didn't get a notice yet, I was calling the dealer regularly, and last week some time, they told me they had parts to do my car.

Those who want theirs done sooner rather than later, I suggest calling your local dealer, as parts are limited right now.

 

[unixb0y]

What exactly did they replace? The cord? The connector on the bumper? The heater?

 

[weebl]

What exactly did they replace? The cord? The connector on the bumper? The heater?

The work order with the parts list is at home. I will try to remember to look at it and post the part numbers. I believe it is the heater itself, plus some related parts. Possibly also the terminal in the grill/bumper, as they had to glue that shut to disable it.

My cord is in the trunk, I don't think they touched it, but I will go look to see if I now have a new one there.

 

[inTgr8r]

Just had mine done today as well.

 

[weebl]

The parts used as indicated on my work order are:

5C0-965-592 "PRE-HEATER"
561-965-531-B "BLKHTRCORD"

I looked at the cord that goes from the bumper to the wall outlet in my trunk, and it is the same one I already had, so this must be the cord that leads from the heater to the bumper that is under the hood. Likely, the glued flap and plug end are all one piece with the rest of the cord.

 

[Vmwalker]

Old pre-heater

What is/was the part number of the original 'Pre-Heater' that's replaced? I had a VW Pre-Heater installed about a year ago, about the time of the Canada sourced cars being recalled for Pre-Heater problems. I'm concerned that the Pre-Heater installed in my Ohio Passat is one that was used in the Canada cars at that time.
TIA - Vern

 

[weebl]

Sorry, no idea what the original part number was. Perhaps someone else with one still installed can see, though I honestly don't know if it is visible where it is installed.

Someone with EKTA access maybe?

 

[red golf tdi]

What is/was the part number of the original 'Pre-Heater' that's replaced? I had a VW Pre-Heater installed about a year ago, about the time of the Canada sourced cars being recalled for Pre-Heater problems. I'm concerned that the Pre-Heater installed in my Ohio Passat is one that was used in the Canada cars at that time.
TIA - Vern

We have a pile of them here at our shop from customers disappointed with the lame performance of the 500 watt VW / Calix unit, customers tell me it does nothing as far as heat and only "assists in starting". I'll see if I can find a part number.

 

[phat02jetta]

We have a pile of them here at our shop from customers disappointed with the lame performance of the 500 watt VW / Calix unit, customers tell me it does nothing as far as heat and only "assists in starting". I'll see if I can find a part number.

Did you ever find that part #? I'm in the same boat!

BTW, my Jetta frostheater is still going strong @ 360k miles!

 

[Vmwalker]

Did you ever find that part #? I'm in the same boat.

Upon further reflection about the currently installed VW per-heater in my Ohio Passat, I've decided to reinstall a Frost Heater and quit worrying about the version (good or bad) of installed VW preheater. I had a Frost Heater for a winter and a VW heater the this past winter, in the same 13' Passat. I know from experience that the Frost Heater is a better pre-heater.

 

[weebl]

Upon further reflection about the currently installed VW per-heater in my Ohio Passat, I've decided to reinstall a Frost Heater and quit worrying about the version (good or bad) of installed VW preheater. I had a Frost Heater for a winter and a VW heater the this past winter, in the same 13' Passat. I know from experience that the Frost Heater is a better pre-heater.

Good choice. In my old ALH, I installed what is basically a Frostheater (sourced the pieces myself), and it was amazing. It replaced a Calix unit that our friend at a VW dealership helped us get after moving to Edmonton from Vancouver. The Calix eventually shorted itself out.

Hmm, looks like a pattern with Calix here.

Anyway, the Passats here include the Calix. Should it go outside warranty and I need to replace it on my dime, then I'm going with a Frostheater. Been thinking of adding the same type of heater to my 2006 Toyota Sienna too, in place of the wimpy factory block heater. I'll likely only do that if that goes south, too.

 

[ibmikey1655]

Block heater blues

Bought a new 2014 in Jetta TDI in July. Got it as a second car so won't be a dailey driver. It's starting to get cool out so went out to check on the plug for the block heater. The cap was a bit hard to open but finally got it open to see a bunch of crap in the connection. Took a ride to the dealer to get some kind of answer but did not get the one I was expecting . They told me that it was decommissioned because of problems of them catching on fire. My big question is "Why the hell didn't they tell me that when I bought the car instead of letting me find out about it by myself!" Now I have to wonder what else they did not tell me? Can I expect some thing to fail or just not function?

 

[lmnop88a]

Have you Canucks tried this?

http://www.vw.ca/en/owners/about_your_volkswagen/vin_recall.html

My '13 Passat TDI isn't showing any results on that search.

I asked my dealer (PFFfafaffaafafffafff in Aurora, ON) TWICE about the recall and on both occasions always just told me that my car is "up to date" on "recalls." (I had some pins in the air filter box replaced or something random like that as a "recall.")

 

[iantryinit]

Link dosnt work on my phone but will give a try on my computer. Also had those fuse box washers/whatever done while new block heater install. All went well and seems to work. I didn't take it in for the pre-recall where they glue the flap ****. Figured it to be waste of time and don't want to give dealer a chance to screw up anything on my car.

 

[MEIN_VW]

Bought a new 2014 in Jetta TDI in July. Got it as a second car so won't be a dailey driver. It's starting to get cool out so went out to check on the plug for the block heater. The cap was a bit hard to open but finally got it open to see a bunch of crap in the connection. Took a ride to the dealer to get some kind of answer but did not get the one I was expecting . They told me that it was decommissioned because of problems of them catching on fire. My big question is "Why the hell didn't they tell me that when I bought the car instead of letting me find out about it by myself!" Now I have to wonder what else they did not tell me? Can I expect some thing to fail or just not function?

And here I've been wondering why my plug was covered in a rubber piece I cannot remove to plug in the cord (believe me, I've been trying without success to remove it).

They could have let us know this was the case.

 

[MEIN_VW]

Just got my notice in the mail today

Service Action 19K4 - Restore Engine Block Heater Functionality
Certain 2013-2015 model year Volkswagen vehicles with disabled factory-installed engine block heater.

 

[Diesel-Mike]

I've checked online and also have the same recall !

Last week I was curious and I've used a energy monitor ( http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/hampton-energy-monitor-0529208p.html#.VI3CEld3OIw ) to check is consumption but I didn't see any current draw, I was thinking it was thermostatically controlled because the coolant was hot.

Now I realize it was in fault.

Do you know what is about the recall ? What is the problem ? Not connected ? Defective ?

 

[Diesel-Mike]

I have an appointment tomorrow at 8, I'll let you know.

 

[bud_128]

I spoke to vw today and they told me that on some models it is a hose that needs changed, others it's wiring and then there were some that came right from the factory without the heater installed. I've got an appointment for mine Xmas eve.

 

[rotorhead23]

The recall is on my Passat. Turns out I paid for it as all Canadian cars are supposed to have it. They must have known about this problem with it, a while ago because they shipped my car without it installed. They subsequently have to order parts specifically by VIN. So for mine they have to order and install the whole thing. Would have been nice to know at the time of purchase though! I will get mine done when I go back to Alberta.

 

[rotorhead23]

In London, Ont. the dealer told me there was nothing installed on my car for the coolant heater. I got back to Grande Prairie and the dealer installed the whole thing. Works now. The info I received was from the dealer in Grande Prairie.

 

[shak911]

I just ordered a second 1500W Zerostart, from Amazon.ca, I am very pleased with the one I installed on my 04/BEW...
I think I will replace the OEM on the 12 Passat I am getting tomorrow, I will find a way to reuse the wiring....

From what I understand....the Oem either catch fire or are not that effective when they work.

I like the 330-8003 look and quality...I just hope there's a bit more room than the 04 had.

 

[unixb0y]

I just ordered a second 1500W Zerostart, from Amazon.ca, I am very pleased with the one I installed on my 04/BEW...
I think I will replace the OEM on the 12 Passat I am getting tomorrow, I will find a way to reuse the wiring....

From what I understand....the Oem either catch fire or are not that effective when they work.

I like the 330-8003 look and quality...I just hope there's a bit more room than the 04 had.

Next time I destroy the OEM cord, I'll jet replace it with a zerostart.

$150CDN for just the OEM cord is too much.

 

[gforce1108]

No factory heater on my US spec passat obviously, but I have ordered the frostheater from tdiheater.com. If I understand correctly, the Canadian models have a nice receptacle to plug in an extension cord. Is it mounted in the foglight trim like I've seen with other models? Anyone have the part number and pictures of this? I think it'd be ideal with the tdiheater (my Jetta has always looked goofy with the plug dangling from the front bumper).

 

[tdiatlast]

561-853-665-D-9B9
This is for the NMS W/ foglights. W/O foglight is a different number.
You'll need to be creative installing you're own receptacle, IIRC, the receptacle is connected to the cord, connected to the VWoA coolant heater.

I never installed mine, sold it to purduecrew, a TDIClub member. He can give you details on the install.

 

[gforce1108]

561-853-665-D-9B9
This is for the NMS W/ foglights. W/O foglight is a different number.
You'll need to be creative installing you're own receptacle, IIRC, the receptacle is connected to the cord, connected to the VWoA coolant heater.
I never installed mine, sold it to purduecrew, a TDIClub member. He can give you details on the install.

Cool deal - thanks. I retrofitted foglights on my car. I'll see if I can dig up a picture of that item and see if it's possible to install a receptacle (I'll shoot purduecrew a PM as well). Your part # listing lead me to a thread with the remaining part numbers if anyone is interested (assume pre recall numbers) http://forums.thecarlounge.com/show...e-now-available-from-VW&p=78724244&viewfull=1

 

[stringbeanbowler]

Okay, so I just happened to purchase the pre heater and I installed it myself and no one can tell me if it is a fire hazard or not. The dealer tells me to call customer care and customer care tells me to talk to the dealer!!! What can I do? Co-incidentally it stopped working anyway so I don't use it but want a free replacement!!!!!

I purchased it February 2014