Heater flap controls

[donc]

Hi my 1.8t suffers from lack of heat to the passenger syndrome and I'm assured the heater matrix is NOT at fault and that the problem lies with the heater flap not being open on the passenger side. Can anyone please tell me how to get to the control motor which presumably has failed and or how to move the flap manually so it stays open? Really would appreciate any advice on this!

[Dorset Bob]

If this is the problem, you can gain access to the cabin flap actuator motor, on the passenger side, by removing the glove box.

The location is as below:



You can check that the linkage is moving and working.

[donc]

Thank you but it's not clear from the post where the actual heater flap is. I can remove the glove box but what then?

[Dorset Bob]

It is to the right hand side of the glovebox, as shown in the first picture.
If you remove the glovebox you will see it.

There is a how to on removing the glovebox here

[Nick Greg]

I got told the same problem. Heater Flap NOT Matrix. Went another garage. Guess what? It was the matrix. How have you ruled out the matrix?

[Avulon]

Originally Posted by Nick Greg

I got told the same problem. Heater Flap NOT Matrix. Went another garage. Guess what? It was the matrix. How have you ruled out the matrix?

Probably by the what flows in flows out method with apparent hindrance. However (As you're probably aware) this isn't a valid test for blockage of the passenger side of the matrix.

[donc]

I ruled out the matrix -probable wrongly!- because both inlet and outlet hoses are hot. I thought it was the flap because there is very limited air and it is only slightly warm coming out of the passenger vents. I originally thougt it was the matrix because I used a Radwelld type thing when I had a slight leak on the head gasket. The head has now been reconditioned and is Ok and I used a flushing liquid in the cooling system. Because both inlet and outlet hoses are hot thought the matrix was OK. Maybe I am wrong?

[Avulon]

Originally Posted by donc

I ruled out the matrix -probable wrongly!- because both inlet and outlet hoses are hot. I thought it was the flap because there is very limited air and it is only slightly warm coming out of the passenger vents. I originally thougt it was the matrix because I used a Radwelld type thing when I had a slight leak on the head gasket. The head has now been reconditioned and is Ok and I used a flushing liquid in the cooling system. Because both inlet and outlet hoses are hot thought the matrix was OK. Maybe I am wrong?

Many make the same mistake - the heater matrix is similar to a coolant radiator - there are many paths from inlet to outlet. It's easily not only possible but quite a frequent occurrence that the channels on the passenger side get blocked up.

[donc]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

it's got to be one or the other!

[Dorset Bob]

If it has had radweld type stuff in it, my money is on the matrix.