Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
FBH Cutting out
So rather predictably, after having an FBH controller fitted last week, the FBH is now cutting out after around 2 minutes I love these cars!
It's making all the right noises at startup, and I can see smoke/feel warm air from the exhaust - but then it just stops. Same symptoms if I fire it from the Altox or if the car tries to start it up.
I've ordered a diagnostic lead from the site shop, but I really want this up and running by the weekend when we're off to Scotland.
Thinking I'm as well to just bite the bullet and follow Robbie's FBH servicing guide? Or will the diagnostic 'stuff' give me any other pointers?
Oh - error code from the altox is showing as Error Code 02 - heater failed to start (which isn't that helpful!) I'm also not seeing the 'Flame Sensor' value change from 'no' to 'yes' at any point..
6th Feb 2017 12:39 pm
Gazellio
Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 4130
This is not going to help but having had the Altox Fitted about three weeks ago I still have identical symptoms. Same codes same 2 minutes. However you can use the Altox App to clear any codes and then restart it. On very cold mornings I can run it for two minutes twice and get about 20c which is more than enough to start her first turn. Not perfect but better than not having it.
The long term answer of course is an overhaul...
6th Feb 2017 1:26 pm
badgerade
Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
Annoying thing is it's only just started doing it.. I think short term I'm going to try the brake cleaner/easy start thing to see if that helps at all.
I can pretty much guarantee that if I try and take the FBH out this close to needing the car for a long distance trip the engine will fall out..
6th Feb 2017 4:20 pm
nrich
Member Since: 04 Jan 2015
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 269
I had same problem cleared codes fired it up with software whilst blowing air in to the intake with airline not too much pressure after a lot of trying got it to run up to temp after five mins leaned it off a bit with software been fine ever since saves stripping it down to clean if this does not work i suggest Robbies guide to strip and clean good luck.
6th Feb 2017 8:11 pm
badgerade
Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
I don't have a compressor/airline.. but was thinking about using an airbed pump that I've got in the car
6th Feb 2017 9:23 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
6th Feb 2017 9:33 pm
badgerade
Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
No luck with that either It's doing less now than it was before (no whooshy noises). I also can't clear down the fault codes with the Altox so have pulled the fuse and will try again later when I am less inclined to set fire to the car!
FBH cable should hopefully be with me tomorrow so will maybe get some more clues after that.
7th Feb 2017 12:26 pm
badgerade
Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
Pulled fuse and managed to get it to at least try and start, but even blowing air into the intake and 'some' brake cleaner I'm still not getting it to start. Brake cleaner does make it pop a bit and I thought it had fired up but after about 30 secs the fan comes on which I assume is it's shut down sequence? (Possibly because the Altox has not been able to get a signal back that it's started?)
The last few texts from the Altox have said "heater does not start" but now I'm not getting any error codes
7th Feb 2017 9:09 pm
nrich
Member Since: 04 Jan 2015
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 269
Do you have the Webasto software it took loads of goes for me using the software to get it running and lots of air in to intake.
7th Feb 2017 9:12 pm
badgerade
Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
I've got the software, but no lead yet - should be arriving today.
8th Feb 2017 8:23 am
badgerade
Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
It's alive!
Used the Webasto software to clear the faults and then fire up the heater.
I can now fire it up using the Altox app as well.
8th Feb 2017 5:26 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
So to use the Altox unit you have to use the webasto test rig/software to clear faults first? Sounds quite useless!Volvo XC60 - does all that the D4 should have done
Discovery HSE MY16 (good apart from the heating), now sold
Audi TT Roadster (wow)
MGB Roadster (owned since 1992)
Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE MY08
Saab 9-5 Aero 2002 (gone but not forgotten)
Last edited by jdhx on 11th Feb 2017 12:07 am. Edited 2 times in total
9th Feb 2017 5:26 pm
badgerade
Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
Hmm not sure that's overly fair!
Reading some other posts I think I'd fully locked the FBH out - probably voltage related failed starts as I saw some voltages in the 11.x areas. (I had been able to clear the errors on the FBH using the Altox app up to a point, then they stopped clearing)
Although this in itself won't cause the lockouts, Robbie mentions somewhere that if the FBH is struggling to start, a lower voltage will mean lower fan speeds and less chance of ignition.
Once I'm back off hols I'm going to give the FBH a service which will hopefully improve things, but for now the Altox is starting the FBH every time.
10th Feb 2017 8:14 am
geoff.
Member Since: 24 Jan 2010
Location: West kent
Posts: 8531
i can supply the service kit for the fbh @ 185 inc posted uk only
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I love these cars!
It's doing less now than it was before 
