Eberspacher Heater

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hunter323

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I have a fairly elderly Eberspacher( spelling?) heater which just as the colder weather approaches decides to go on the blink!! I really have no idea how it works. When I turn it on there is a heavy electrical discharge from the battery which after a short while reverts to virtually no drain and the whole thing appears to be lifeless.
I would be very grateful for some advice as to where to look for the obvious problems as to why it shouldn't fire up. The fan is working!!!
 
They are very dependent on getting the correct voltage at the heater. The heavy current at start-up is the glow plug, and this current can result in low voltage at the heater, causing it to shut down. Suggest you try starting the heater whilst the engine is running, this should ensure adequate voltage for it to start normally. If not, check the inline fuse in the wiring to the heater and clean its contacts. If it does start, you'll know that either your batteries are getting low, or that you need to put bigger cables in to supply the heater (although if it's been working OK up to now the cables should be sufficient).
 
hunter323 said:
I have a fairly elderly Eberspacher( spelling?) heater which just as the colder weather approaches decides to go on the blink!! I really have no idea how it works. When I turn it on there is a heavy electrical discharge from the battery which after a short while reverts to virtually no drain and the whole thing appears to be lifeless.
I would be very grateful for some advice as to where to look for the obvious problems as to why it shouldn't fire up. The fan is working!!!
Click to expand...

Two possibilities I've seen on mine:

1) Battery a bit down; they really do need a healthy battery to start.
2) Fuel line needs priming. This is a bit trickier - unless you have a control box, you need to cycle the fuel pump repeatedly to get fuel through the line. That means getting at the pump, taking the power plug off it, and manually making and breaking a circuit from a battery. Jump leads are useful! This is a once a season job on mine, unless I've accidentally let the fuel level go below the level of the Eberspacher take-off. This http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-FUEL-...d=100011&prg=1005&rk=2&rkt=5&sd=121085807828& might be an easier way of doing it.
 
Mine packed up a few years ago when there was fortunately a van from one of their agents in the marina car park. I tracked the technician down and he the first thing he did was check the small filter in the fuel line which was blocked. He cleared this out and had the thing up and running in less than ten minutes at the cost of a few beer vouchers; it's certainly the place to start.
 
Hi
Unfortunate.. but can you enlighten us as to the exact model please.. and exactly how long the fan runs for, whether or not the fuel pump starts ticking and whether or not the fan speeds up, slows down or even whether it has a second go at running please...
With this information it might be easier to try to diagnose.
 
richardbrennan said:
If the glow is working and the fan is running, as appears to be the case, I really would suspect the problem is the fuel supply.
Click to expand...

Can't assume that. What often happens, according to the many posts on here, is that the batteries get a bit low, the heater is turned on, the glowplug current drags the voltage down at the heater, and the ECU shuts the thing down due to low voltage.

If it's worked OK previously, why should the fuel supply suddenly be an issue?
 
Having lived with an Ebersbacher for 11 years I think I've experienced everything that can go wrong with them. The first thing I would say, for the benefit of anyone who's thinking of getting one, is that they are fantastic when they are working.
The description you've given suggests that you have low voltage, or it needs a decoke, or worst scenario, it needs a new control box which is expensive.
 
hunter323 said:
I have a fairly elderly Eberspacher( spelling?) heater which just as the colder weather approaches decides to go on the blink!!!...
Click to expand...

This is often the case - death by neglect. When you get it sorted it is a good idea to run it for half an hour or so every few weeks, right through the summer as well. Start by checking all the connections.
 
Martin_J said:
Hi
Unfortunate.. but can you enlighten us as to the exact model please.. and exactly how long the fan runs for, whether or not the fuel pump starts ticking and whether or not the fan speeds up, slows down or even whether it has a second go at running please...
With this information it might be easier to try to diagnose.
Click to expand...

+1
Also, when was it last run, when was it last serviced, without this information it is just fumbling in the dark, for instance though low voltage is often cited as an issue this is not the case for a well installed and serviced unit, which will start at 10.5v (at the ECU) assuming the power supply is free from exessive resistances wheras a neglected heater in need of a good decoke or one that is overfuelling will require more voltage for the glowpin heat to penetrate it and ignite the fuel. That said most units (and their attendant power supply) are not well instaled and or serviced so voltage is a common issue.
 
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pvb said:
Can't assume that. What often happens, according to the many posts on here, is that the batteries get a bit low, the heater is turned on, the glowplug current drags the voltage down at the heater, and the ECU shuts the thing down due to low voltage.

If it's worked OK previously, why should the fuel supply suddenly be an issue?
Click to expand...

The dreaded fuel bug algae can block the fuel line to the ever as it is very small While not being an issue foe the engine. I had probs on and off for a couple of years until I started regular fuel bug additive. No problems since
 
Do you have a control box with either a green/red light combo or a display? Ether way it will blink up a fault code which will help...
 
Iain C said:
Do you have a control box with either a green/red light combo or a display? Ether way it will blink up a fault code which will help...
Click to expand...

I didn't know that the controls with simple red/green lights were capable of blinking a fault code. Any links?
 
Thank you all for your suggestions - I have found out from previous owner that its a D2 model. Unfortunately no manual. I have tried to start with engine running which I guess rules out low battery. All that happens is it starts up and then there is a click and everything becomes dead. Any fiuther help would be appreciated especially any directions to a manual.
 
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