early type smiths heater

[marcusthemoose]

i am at a loss as to how to get the heater on my series 2 to work. it is all plumbed in, but there are 2 wires coming from the back of the heater, which are both black, and both fitted with bullet connectors. there is however only one bullet connector coming from the loom. there is output voltage from this, but there is not continuity between the two black wires that exit from the heater could it be a new rheostat is in order? surely the heater would be earthed somewhere, but the two bullet connectors suggest otherwise. water is up at the heater, as it initially leaked from the joint when we first re-plumbed it.

i would rather like to get this problem sorted before the winter months, if only to make an attempt at clearing the windscreen!

thank you in advance.

[bmcecosse]

If no continuity on the two wires - then I reckon there is no hope of the fan running. Better remove and investigate.

[marcusthemoose]

bum. that means draining the heater- anyway to disassemble in situ?

[mike.perry]

According to the workshop manual one wire goes to fuse box A4 and the other to control box E.
First check the heater by connecting the wires to either battery terminal. If the heater does not work then the problem may be with the rheostat switch. Remove it and carefully open it and clean any corrosion inside. It should operate from off, clockwise full speed to slow speed. The rheostat tends to suffer from corrosion more on poss earth than neg earth
You should be able to remove the spring clips and the front of the heater without disconnecting the plumbing

[IslipMinor]

Don't forget that the rheostat also has a switch within it to turn the fan off. Connect the 2 wires from the heater directly to a battery charger, or carefully to a battery and twist the rheostat from one extreme to the other. If nothing happens, remove the front cover and make the connections to the fan side of the rheostat. Hopefully??

[marcusthemoose]

will have a tinker at the weekend
thanks very much guys