Applying the handbrake increases heater power

Blizzard44

Member

Posts

73

Location

North Wales

• Oct 19, 2019

• #1

Hi all, bit of a strange one for you. Today I noticed that when I apply the handbrake there is a noticable increase in the heater output. Its a 300tdi defender. The left side heater lever is as far down as I can get it and does do a nice job of heating up the inside, but I was wondering why the blower output increases when I apply the handbrake and then decreases when I release it? Some sort of earth fault?
Thanks

 

neilly

Well-Known Member

Posts

20,000

Location

Oxfordshireness

• Oct 19, 2019

• #2

Blizzard44 said:

Hi all, bit of a strange one for you. Today I noticed that when I apply the handbrake there is a noticable increase in the heater output. Its a 300tdi defender. The left side heater lever is as far down as I can get it and does do a nice job of heating up the inside, but I was wondering why the blower output increases when I apply the handbrake and then decreases when I release it? Some sort of earth fault?
Thanks

Click to expand...

Would be my thoughts, try using a jumper cable as an earth and see if it affects things. Obvioulsy not while you are driving..LOL.

Cheers

 

lightning

Well-Known Member

Posts

4,152

Location

High Peak

• Oct 19, 2019

• #3

If the heater output increases because the blower speeds up, the handbrake cable must be providing an Earth as suggested already.

 

wireman

Well-Known Member

Posts

1,169

Location

Warrington

• Oct 20, 2019

• #4

I agree with the above, you have a bad earth from the gearbox to the chassis, buy an earth strap, clean the area up and attach.

 

Sofasurfer

Well-Known Member

Posts

248

Location

Uk

• Oct 20, 2019

• #5

My temperature guage goes up slighty when I switch the lights on. Defender 90 1997 tdi300. Similar problem / solution?

 

neilly

Well-Known Member

Posts

20,000

Location

Oxfordshireness

• Oct 20, 2019

• #6

Sofasurfer said:

My temperature guage goes up slighty when I switch the lights on. Defender 90 1997 tdi300. Similar problem / solution?

Click to expand...

Yep, when I got mine, I gave myself a fright first time I drove it at night, temp gauge hit the red. A few well placed and earthed leads made it all OK.

Cheers