Eclipse Cross Coolant Issues: PTC Heater Trouble?

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2020 Mitsubishi ASX Diesel last winter. Same symptoms, warning lights, temperature issues, and coolant problems. Turned out the electric auxiliary heater was completely shot. Took it to my regular workshop, and they diagnosed it pretty quickly. The total fix cost me around 350€, parts and labor included. They had to replace the whole PTC heater unit. Job took about 3-4 hours. What's your exact engine size and mileage? Might help me share more specific details. Also, are you noticing the issues more during cold starts? Hope this helps! Let me know if you need more info.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My engine's running at 83,850 KM and I just had it serviced last month. Yeah, I'm definitely noticing it more during cold starts, especially in the mornings. The coolant level seems to drop faster when it's colder too. Your repair cost sounds reasonable, did you need to get any additional parts replaced while they were working on it? Just trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise.

Hey again! Thanks for the follow-up. Yeah, with my ASX, I was actually lucky that only the PTC heater needed replacing. But since you mentioned the coolant dropping faster in cold weather, it reminds me of what happened with mine. The mechanic did end up finding a small leak in one of the coolant hoses near the heater unit, it was just a worn-out clamp that needed replacing. That only added about 20€ to the total bill, so not too bad. At your mileage (mine was around 75,000 KM when I had the issue), it's pretty common for these parts to start showing wear. Just make sure you get it checked soon, I learned the hard way that waiting too long can lead to bigger problems. The morning cold start issues are exactly what I experienced too. Quick tip: while they're in there, ask them to check the entire cooling system. Sometimes these symptoms can be connected to other small issues that are worth fixing while everything's opened up. Better safe than sorry, right? Keep me posted on what you find out! These Mitsubishi diesels are generally solid, but they do have their quirks.

Thanks so much for that detailed advice! You're absolutely right, I'll definitely get them to check the whole cooling system while they're at it. Better to catch any potential issues now than have them pop up later. I've got an appointment booked for next Tuesday morning, so fingers crossed it's just the PTC heater and maybe a few minor fixes like in your case. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it's super helpful knowing what to expect and what to look out for. I'll update you once I hear back from the workshop!