Hot air blowing only from passenger vent issue

[2007GTI]

So this issue has been going on for years, if you put the heat on, it only comes out of the far side passenger face height vent. It gets a little bit hot on other vents, but will not blow out hot air, even if redirected.

Last year I replaced one of the temp flat motors and also the additional water pump which cleared the error, but I still only have hot air coming out of the far passenger vent.  It’s been bugging me so I finally got my trusted mechanic to pull the dash apart, thinking it might be another flap actuator.

After pulling the dash out and flushing the system, he tells me:

I can’t find anything obvious, all flaps and motor working how they should. No fault codes in the climate control module. I’ve flushed the matrix and hasn’t made any difference either.

So anyone got any ideas?

[smig]

Had exactly the same on my Audi A3 (8V). Heater matrix required replacing. Do you have the Silica bag in your coolant expansion tank, is it intact?

[2007GTI]

Coolant Bottle was replaced under warranty when 3 years old, just after I bought it, as it used coolant. They probably did water pump etc, but I was never made aware, the problem was fixed. This was 8 years ago.

1 year ago I took the bag out and it was not damaged.

I read reports from folk online with same issue and they said that they had the matrix replaced and was no different. Also both pipes going in and out of matrix are burning hot, makes no sense!

[SteveAWOL]

Having a similar issue with my GTI whereby the passenger side vents can blow out nice hot air but all those on driver’s side won’t get any more than tepid.

Tried doing the A/C reset trick but that didn’t make any difference.

Took it to dealership who said that heater matrix needs replacing but that wouldn’t be covered by the All-In extended warranty; unlike the thermostat housing which got replaced a few years ago when there was a coolant leak and they removed the dreaded silica bag.

[2007GTI]

Thanks, that is the only likely culprit left, so will probably end if changing it.

Having a similar issue with my GTI whereby the passenger side vents can blow out nice hot air but all those on driver’s side won’t get any more than tepid.

Tried doing the A/C reset trick but that didn’t make any difference.

Took it to dealership who said that heater matrix needs replacing but that wouldn’t be covered by the All-In extended warranty; unlike the thermostat housing which got replaced a few years ago when there was a coolant leak and they removed the dreaded silica bag.

[Redreels]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WjvPcXs9muo&pp=ygUXIFZ3IGdvbGYgaGVhdGVyIHByb2JsZW0%3D

Interesting watch and may help with your diagnosis

[Rudedog]

Maybe query that they've turned you down under the All-in plan, I've got the same issue and mine is going in on Wednesday to my dealer and all of the work is being covered with the All-in warrantee.  They have allocated three days so fingers crossed I'll have it back on Friday although they did initially have it back twice to test and take readings which they submitted before okaying the work.

 

[SRGTD]

Having a similar issue with my GTI whereby the passenger side vents can blow out nice hot air but all those on driver’s side won’t get any more than tepid.

Tried doing the A/C reset trick but that didn’t make any difference.

Took it to dealership who said that heater matrix needs replacing but that wouldn’t be covered by the All-In extended warranty; unlike the thermostat housing which got replaced a few years ago when there was a coolant leak and they removed the dreaded silica bag.

I’d check the small print in the All In warranty. If you can’t see the heater matrix is excluded then I’d ask the dealer to show you where in the warranty documentation it’s excluded.

[SteveAWOL]

Maybe query that they've turned you down under the All-in plan, I've got the same issue and mine is going in on Wednesday to my dealer and all of the work is being covered with the All-in warrantee.  They have allocated three days so fingers crossed I'll have it back on Friday although they did initially have it back twice to test and take readings which they submitted before okaying the work.

I’d check the small print in the All In warranty. If you can’t see the heater matrix is excluded then I’d ask the dealer to show you where in the warranty documentation it’s excluded.

Marshalls closed my local dealership (who’d done a few previous repairs under warranty) in the spring, so I had to schlep about 45 minutes to nearest VW branch. I might’ve to trek up to the larger branch in Milton Keynes for a 2nd opinion if it is such a common fault which is typically covered then.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WjvPcXs9muo&pp=ygUXIFZ3IGdvbGYgaGVhdGVyIHByb2JsZW0%3D

Interesting watch and may help with your diagnosis

I was also told it’s a 3 day job by dealership but local independent VW garages seem to think the matrix can be replaced in a day and judging by that video the latter seems realistic.