Heater - Always on

[Combehatter]

The heater is always on, now at this time of year not so much of a problem but I'm starting to look to next summer and want to sort it whilst Bubba is sorn for the winter (alongside a complete interior refurb). When the lever is set to cold air I still get hot, however I can move the lever to hot and the temperature rises accordingly.

Is this common? If so is it an easy fix or do I need to remove the dash to get at all the cabling? I suspect that the cable has gone at some point and someone has jerry rigged a fix that has shortened the cable however someone said that it may have been set like this on purpose to add extra cooling to the engine

Any ideas or tips gratefully received!

[1664]

It's difficult to muck about with the cable without knackering/kinking it totally. Worn heater valve from the sound of it since moving it to hot makes it even hotter. It's only plastic so the water gradually erodes the insides so when it's 'off' it still has a small gap allowing some of the hot water into the heater matrix. It's located above the spare wheel at the front which is how I accessed mine on my old camper but since then others have pointed out that it's accessible from above if you remove the gear stick floor cover but not tried this myself. Part was still available from VW commercial vehicle dealership but that was back in 2003 when I replaced mine. Cost about £8 back then.

[Combehatter]

Cheers, I'll have a root around down there then!

[StuM]

Had this on mine and as above, it was the heater matrix bypass valve that lives pretty much behind the radiator. I changed mine when the radiator was out which made it super-easy.. but the replacement (£6 or so from Volksparts on eBay) had a slight leak so I have to do it again.

Good to hear it doesn't mean dropping the rad again.

Stu