I will try that tomorrow. If Espar runs with engine running, then that would confirm that Espar is OK. Then it might be the pump or something else. Thanks for your time and effort.Does your espar fire and operate in "heater booster" mode with the engine running? The way i understand it, the electric coolant pump does not operate in this mode...ever.
Thanks. You are correct. Espar ran this morning with engine running. Now I know there is nothing wrong with Espar.Does your espar fire and operate in "heater booster" mode with the engine running? The way i understand it, the electric coolant pump does not operate in this mode...ever.
Very thoughtful of you to post this. Don't have my '14 van yet (hopefully in 10 days or so), but it is equipped with the Espar, and some of these posts have me a bit apprehensive. That manual may come in handy.....Please refer to the attached VB [NCV3] Espar Hydronic Heater Manual.
The water circuit is referenced.
Perhaps it will be of some help ...
After I sent the last post stating that Espar ran with engine running, I went back out and decided to check to see if it would run with engine off. It works both ways today. Also felt the firewall water pump and it was running with the engine off and Espar on. I will continue to test it to see if it fixed itself. Maybe the computer just got confused.I dont know how the NCV3 system works, but I would suspect the switch or wiring has gone kaput
I would get the "run with engine off" switch out and look at the wires. Perhaps the colors and operation are the same as the T1N...
1. black/blue/green dot- 12v signal wire (negligible current)
2. blue- 12v signal wire (negligible current)
3. green/red- 12v turns on coolant pump (about 1A)
If you see these wires, you could remove the plug from the switch and apply 12v to the coolant pump wire and see if you hear it running. If you apply 12v to the other two, the heater should turn on.
Sorry to hear about these problems. This should be a 10 minutes check-up exercise pinpointing the problem. Wow, what a saga, unreal.Update.
Now I know there is nothing wrong with the Espar portion of the system. The problen is in the Mercedes computer.
Today I will drive to the local Sprinter service location. I will do two things.
1. Disconnect the Sprinter ground at the "gas" pedal. Purpose is to reboot the Mercedes computer. Maybe that will fix it. I am afraid to disconnect anyplace that would require a tow if Sprinter did not start.
2. Present the local service manager with my build "Datacard". I asked Sailquik for a copy of my datacard. Thank you Sailquik. On the data card with the Daimler name at the bottom it shows the build date as 1-31-08. The van was delivered to me by the local Dodge dealer on 3-26-08 with the Espar. The datacard includes option H12 "Hot Water Additional Heater". That should give the local service manager proof that Daimler built the vehicle and it came with the Espar. We will then see if Daimler admits to building the vehicle with the Espar. I also have a copy of the 192 page Dodge "Special Equipment Book" that describes all the available options. Included is the 5 kw "Auxiliary Heater (Water)" option.
If disconnecting the ground does not correct problem and Mercredes still can not repair it, I will then have Mercedes disconnect the 3 electrical connections to the Espar. That will determine if the Sprinter will run with Espar disconnected from Mercedes computer. Rather have them do it so if Sprinter will not run with heater disconnected it is already at the dealer. Then I will drive it with heater disconnected for a month or so to be sure.
If it does run, then I can pursue several options. I will try to convince Rixen Enterprises that there is a market for a kit to make Espar run independently without any Mercedes connections.
I didn't go back and review the thread....
If they can not fix it then I will pursue the next step which is to disconnect all wires to the Espar to see if the Sprinter will run with the Espar removed from the Mercedes electrical system.
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