OK, temperature was down last night to about 2 deg C so I was able to test. I turned on with Direct mode and the fans blew but then immediately slowed and stopped, leaving me to hear the heater running. I tested the exhaust outlet and although not hot, gas was being blown out. After a few minutes, it stopped and all was quiet. The display showed that Direct heating was now off as was the red fan indicator, as if I had clicked it off myself. I clicked it on again, but although the red fan came on - NO heater. I switched everything off and tried again and although the fans didn't move this time, the heater did come on, again just for a few minutes and then it all turned itself off. I was unable to make it start again, even after turning it all off and on again.

So, sounds a bit like yours, but with the added issue of it usually not starting at all. There's something not right here. We've both had out OBC re-programmed to enable heating and it doesn't really work. Others who have had this done have merely reported that the remote would then work, but did it work from the OBC screen?

I'm rather in the dark here. Once the heating has been enabled, should Direct and Timer operation then work faultlessly from the OBC screen? Can anyone confirm this?

When I started the car I think the heater came on for a bit, but it was difficult to tell (too dark and cold) and I'm sure it again went off after a short while. All of which would explain why the car does seem to take a long while to warm up. Maybe I also have an additional fault?

after all that reading what I need to confirm is on my 2004 3.0d I have the extra little exhaust under the passenger side of the car, and the webasto thermotop c in the engine bay, what does this do?

Does it kick in automatically when I turn the car ignition on when the weather is very cold, and heat the engine faster?

YES, WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE.

Wow, this is a tricky problem, I'm wondering if the electric circulation pump fails if the heater is cutting out the heating via a safety thermostat to prevent damage, it could explain why the heater may run for a few minutes until the coolant is up to the required temp' in the heater unit, if accessible maybe you could test for +12v across the pump or check it's continuty. I'd like to enable my "parked heating" function, please let me know if there is a solution without resorting to a "telestart" remote. Best of luck everyone !!!!!

Hi guys.

I've read this thread and I am not completely clear.

It is obvious that the diesel cars do have the auxiallary heater that would warm up the engine block (engine block heater). It is possible to "retrofit" those diesel cars with a remote control that will enable that feature.

What about gasoline engines? I have a '02 4.6iS, and on my navigation screen I have Aux. Ventilation for the venting of the interior of the car, and no heater option, that possibly would have heated the engine.

Is it possible to retrofit an engine block heater into this type of a car?

I am leaving this tropical paradise pretty soon and my next assignment is in Moscow, which is the 4th coldest capital in the world (UlaanBator, Astana, Ottawa holding the lead positions). Looking at the realoem under the 4.6is in EC version, it seems that an engine block heater is a possible option. Is it a DIY project or is it a dealer installed option?

Thanks

Auxilliary heater
 

Have a look at this thread on x5drivers.co.uk

Go to the index page, How To's, Then enabling parking heater..

If someone wants to host the Webasto Aux Heat retrofit document for M62 gasoline engines (4.4i and 4.6is), let me know and I can forward them.

According to the retrofit guides, yes, you need a new IHKA HVAC controller...

Just curious, do you have or know if there is a similar retrofit for the N62 ?

According to ETK it's available for the N62...
64 50 0 305 034 INSTALL KIT, INDEPENDANT HEATER

I priced it out last year and was over $1000 USD.