DS3 Heater problem

[Gwenan Roberts]

Hi,
Hope someone can help me on here as very little information on the internet that I can find
I have a 66 plate DS3 1.6HDi and having issues with my heater. I think control valve/cable has ceased as can't get heater to turn fully to provide heat. The cable is kinked having removed the centre foot well console cover. Haven't been able to work out where the cable leads to without taking the dash apart any further, which I'd prefer not to do! If someone on this forum knows the location of the Control tap/Heater control valve it would help greatly. Thank you in anticipation of your reply, Gwenan
P.S. enclosed an image to show kink in cable

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Gwenan

Basically on your model you have manual controls for the heating adjustment, These control cables go from the back of the heater control panel (where the dials are) and use control wires as per your picture to adjust the distribution and temperature mixing.

So this is the procedure to get to the rear of the panel should you wish to check the cables are attached to the rear of the unit - just be careful when removing the unit knowing the cables are attached as shown.

To get access to the heating control panel:

First it is recommended to disconnect the battery using the BSI Reset / Battery Disconnect / Reconnect Procedure.

Then you'll need to remove the gear lever gaiter using Trim Removal Tools (TRT)

Then you'll need to remove the bezel on the central console to get access to the heater control panel: The clips behind the trim are shown at (a), so you know where to use your TRTs.

Once you've removed that you gain access to the heater control panel:

Remove the bolts (4).
Unclip and disengage the manual air conditioning control panel (3) (at "c") towards the interior of the dashboard.

Disconnect the connectors (as "d")

Unclip - Disengage the sleeve stops from their supports by lifting them (at "e").
Disconnect the cables (as "f") using TRTs.

Remove the manual air conditioning control panel (3) if needed.

[Gwenan Roberts]

Hi Marc,
Grateful for your reply and information. I’ll share this info with my brother who’s trying to resolve my problem.
Kind regards
Gwenan

[Gwenan Roberts]

Hi,
Thank again for your tip but unfortunately we’ve done all of the above but this has not identified the problem. It’s where the heater control tap/heater valve is located that we need to know! Ant ideas anyone please,.
Kind regards
Gwenan

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Gwenan, not really sure what you are referring to - I thought you were having an issue with the physical control cables from the heater control panel to the white lever it attaches to (i.e. a kink or the cable being caught so that it wasn't moving the white lever in your picture). If the lever is moving manually by cable or by hand, then this is not the issue.

If you can move the white lever, then you may have an issue with the air mixing flap control at the other end, or there may be a blockage in the heater matrix.

I suspect you'll need to have it looked at by Citroen to ascertain where the issue is.

[Gwenan Roberts]

Hi Marc,
Thank you so much for your time in trying to help with this problemYou’re right in that I am having issues with the physical control as it won’t turn past around 2/3rds of the way. Having already removed what you’d provided information on, centre console etc the cable which is attached to the control knob won’t physically move more than a few mm, hence we assume it is ceased or stuck further along somewhere. The problem is locating where the cable leads to in respect of control tap/heater valve! Any more ideas? If not, I’ll just have to take it into a Citroen garage and pay a small fortune. My brother is quite handy with cars so if we had a better idea of where the cable end is located, we would be able to have a go at resolving the issue ourselves.
Thanks again
Gwenan
P.S Hope this makes more sense to you now!

[GiveMeABreak]

It does;- have you disconnected the cable attached to the specific control that won't move more than 2/3rds to test whether it is the dial that is stuck (internally to the heater controls) or whether it is further down the line.

From my previous post, the last picture shows the triangular plastic piece on the left that is for the temperature adjustment (which controls the mixing flap between hot or cold).

A little more detail below:

"A" The user actions the Temperature Control.
"B" The temperature control operates a gear which pulls or pushes the cable depending on the command.
"C" The cable operates a gear on the aircon unit: The gear is connected to the upper mixing flap.
"D" The gear drives a rod connected to the lower mixing flap shaft.

So if there is a problem further down at the flaps, then I'm not sure what sort of access if any you have without some dismantling...

[Gwenan Roberts]

Hi Marc,
Thank you again for your information and illustration in respect of my heater problem. Hopefully this will help us resolve the issue. If not it’s best part of £90 for first hour diagnostic at Citroen garage with additional labour and parts on top of this.
Kind regards
Gwenan

[Gwenan Roberts]

Just to clarify is this image for both right hand and left hand drive models Marc?
Thanks again

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, there is no difference between RHD and LHD models as far as the heating system goes.

[Gwenan Roberts]

Thank you very much Marc, really appreciate it,
Gwenan