Eberspacher D3LC Compact

[dje67]

My trusty Eberspacher D3LC has died. Ran for 20 minutes the other night, now won't start. It does nothing at all. Not a sound or attempt to run the fan. The timer green LED does click on when I try to start the heater, so the command to start is getting to the heater. I don't have a timer with diagnostics so can't interrogate it.

Wondered if anyone knows whether the ECU can be interrogated without the correct timer/controller (the one that has diagnostic capability built-in). I'm fairly sure the heater hasn't just locked-out, because I believe that the (Rev. 03) ECU module should clear any lock-out when it has been power-cycled. I've checked the resistance of the fuel pump, glow plug, flame sensor and over-heat sensor as per the Eberspacher workshop manual, so I'm fairly sure that they are all working OK. The motor itself shows a small resistance and generates a small voltage if turned by hand, so I reckon it is OK.

The photo is the ECU module - can't see anything obvious wrong with it, but don't have any means of 'asking it' what's wrong. It is a 251976510003 module.

Anyone repaired one? How did you go about it?

Ta.

 

[Yngmar]

Most likely you just have corrosion on the contacts or the wires (where the connectors are crimped onto them).

The diagnostic data is in a serial protocol that the ECU sends to the controller (what you call "timer"), so you really need a controller that can interpret this and show you the diagnostic code. If checking all the connectors and crimp spots does not yield success, your best bet is to beg/borrow/eBay a controller with a diagnostic display and hook it up to your heater.

You'll find a wealth of information on troubleshooting these heaters at: http://www.letonkinoisvarnish.uk/site_guide.html

 

[vyv_cox]

When mine did something similar I found the multi-pin plug around 1ft from the heater had corroded. I cleaned the pins up and now it's fine.

 

[dje67]

I had a good look through the letonkinvarnish site, which is an amazing mine of information, but couldn't find a way of getting the diagnostic info I need without the correct timer (an 801, I believe, which can read codes). I don't have that particular model (am open to offers, though!).

I did go round all the connectors on the system with a spray switch cleaner, but will try re-visiting and be a bit more 'mechanical' in cleaning. An issue I've had in the past was low volts because of poor connectors at the fuse unit and the 12V connector directly into the heater, but both are totally clean and volts at the heater (on battery charger) is around 13.5V during an attempt to start the heater.

 

[ghostlymoron]

An 801 diagnostic controller is £50 off eBay so I'd try to borrow one if cleaning the connections doesn't work.

 

[dje67]

Am running various ebay searches, but no success so far. The prices for a new ECU are almost the same as getting a whole new heater (Planar type), so will make a decision soon as to whether to repair the old one, so ditch the lot and get a replacement. Its only money...