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KimSan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Norway
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Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:42 am Post subject: BN2 Gas heater troubleshooting in 73’ Fastback |
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Hi
As I live in Norway and the winter is approaching, it would be comfortable to get my gas heater working.
I have been searching to get an understanding of the functionality, but I have yet not found any wiring diagram that is exactly correct for my model.
The main problem is that the gas-pump doesn’t work when the heater is turned on.
- The gas-pump works perfectly when I operate it manually directly on the battery.
- All fuses are intact.
- “Time relay” is reset.
- The glow-plug works.
- The fan works.
I have checked the voltage to the pump with a digital multimeter. The reading is alternating from 0-6 V, though it should be 0-12V. The problem is that I don’t know if the multimeter has high enough refresh rate to pick up the peak, so the problem could be ether to low voltage or too low current.
I have also noted that it won’t turn off automatically after a certain time without ignition (like I have read it should). It will keep going until I press in the knob. The heater looks almost unused (though not with the camera-flash in the garage) and otherwise in complete condition.
Does anyone have any experience of what can cause these symptoms?
Thanks for any help!
Regards, Kim
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Bobnotch Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2003 Posts: 23366 Location: Kimball, Mi
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notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22659 Location: Escondido CA
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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Bus daddy is the man at this. I need time to look it up. Ive given him the information, hope he chimes in.
Sounds like a micro switch malfunction, or the quartz rod not being set right? _________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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busdaddy Samba Member

Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 52760 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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Could be, I'd check the thermostat at the output end for continuity first (small silver disc). The pump voltage sounds odd as well, the pump gets a constant 12 volts and the points in the blower (combustion end) regulate and pulse the ground to the pump, if you are reading an intermittant voltage on the green wire there may be issues with the relay or flame switch as already mentioned. Grounds are another big issue with these, not only the brown wire leading to the body but the connections inside and out of the case, the glow resistors inside the shell (follow the yellow wires) can be an issue if they are loose or corroded.
Clean tight terminals are the first thing to do when resurrecting any Eberspacher heater. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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KimSan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Norway
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Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:50 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for your help!
I have had some problems with the wiring diagrams since none of them matches my wiring colors.
At last I found this simple functioning diagram that I found helpful:
http://drbuzz.tripod.com/BN2pics/bn2.gif
http://www.speedyjim.net/htm/bn2.htm
Then, back to my readings:
- The thermostat has continuity, both "in place" and dismounted.
- The relay switches when the heater is turned on (it works).
- The green wire has 12v continually when the heater is turned on. (12.*v when the engine is on, 10v when off).
- The same has the green/white from the pump.
- Thermo switch operates properly, at least in "cold" position.
I did try to shortcut the green/white wire to earth in pulses while the heater was turned on, and the fuel pump worked.
From my perspective, from this point it looks like it is only the trigger in the fan motor that is the problem. How is it to open the heater? Is it easy to dismantle the fan, or do one have to take it all apart?
Sorry if my technical language is inaccurate or unclear, English is my second language
Regards
Kim |
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72vert Samba Member

Joined: September 07, 2005 Posts: 134 Location: Wylie, Texas
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Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 8:47 am Post subject: Maybe this will help, found it when collecting data on Type |
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Maybe this will help, found it when collecting data on Type 3's.
http://vintagebus.com/parts/ebersp.html _________________ 1969 Fastback Auto+FI
1972 Convertible Beetle
2005 Custom New Bettle 2.0
2009 MB C350 |
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busdaddy Samba Member

Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 52760 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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KimSan wrote: |
From my perspective, from this point it looks like it is only the trigger in the fan motor that is the problem. How is it to open the heater? Is it easy to dismantle the fan, or do one have to take it all apart? |
Here's a thread on your heater's bigger brother, pump contact cleaning and getting to the points is discussed a few pages in (same procedure for BN-2) : http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=343313 _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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KimSan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Norway
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 8:10 am Post subject: |
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Both was very helpful, thanks!
I just took it out of the car and started dismantling it. It went well until the flame switch -it was stuck, very stuck...
I have applied solvent with no luck. I'll give it some time, but I'm afraid it wont be a happy ending.
EDIT:
Aaand it is off
This heater is seriously clean, its just no dust or dirt inside and no paint degradation at all , don't look like its used much, probably been dead a long time. |
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KimSan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Norway
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:58 am Post subject: |
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The rest of it went well, and I got finish rebuilding it yesterday.
I have not decided if it was a good timing or not, but today I woke up to snowfall. I am glad I put on car cover yesterday.
Anyway, the heater worked perfectly.
One question though, which size should it be on the fuel line? I only got 4 mm in my local store, but I guess that is a little big. It takes too long before the gas reaches the heater when turned on.
Thank you so much for your help, without you I guess it would have been a cold winter again. Really appreciate it!
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Boble Samba Member

Joined: November 13, 2005 Posts: 745 Location: Oslo, Norway
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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KimSan wrote: |
One question though, which size should it be on the fuel line? I only got 4 mm in my local store, but I guess that is a little big. It takes too long before the gas reaches the heater when turned on.
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The right size is inner diameter 1.5 mm, outside diameter 4 mm.
Actually, this is not unimportant. I used a inner diameter 4 mm hose after my overhaul, and the BN2 didn't work. Frustrated, until I was made aware that I needed the right type of hose.
Makes sense, since this is a low volume pump and it will use the heat-up time to fill up the hose. No gas enters the burner in time for the burner to start firing.
See you live in Norway - I ordered my hose from this store:
http://www.termomarin.no/aspx/produkt/prdinfovnet.aspx?plid=7808 |
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KimSan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Norway
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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:03 am Post subject: |
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Boble wrote: |
KimSan wrote: |
One question though, which size should it be on the fuel line? I only got 4 mm in my local store, but I guess that is a little big. It takes too long before the gas reaches the heater when turned on.
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The right size is inner diameter 1.5 mm, outside diameter 4 mm.
Actually, this is not unimportant. I used a inner diameter 4 mm hose after my overhaul, and the BN2 didn't work. Frustrated, until I was made aware that I needed the right type of hose.
Makes sense, since this is a low volume pump and it will use the heat-up time to fill up the hose. No gas enters the burner in time for the burner to start firing.
See you live in Norway - I ordered my hose from this store:
http://www.termomarin.no/aspx/produkt/prdinfovnet.aspx?plid=7808 |
Thanks, that was of great help! Both cheap and fast delivery. It took a while, but I finally got it installed. Now the fuel injects instantly.
I have a strange phenomenon. The glowplug glows, and it gets fuel, but 50% of the times it wont ignite. If I am lucky it ignites after 2-4 minutes. Yes, I do have the engine running while starting the heater. I tested the glowplug both with and without the engine, and its far faster with the engine running. |
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KimSan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Norway
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:12 am Post subject: |
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With no other clue, I just ordered and installed a new BERU glow plug from ebay.
Now it ignites after 45 seconds, and work perfectly
Thanks all for our help! |
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