VW Caddy Cold Start Issues, Fix for Poor Performance

I had a very similar issue with my 2001 VW Golf gasoline last winter. With limited mechanical experience, I initially thought it was just normal cold weather behavior until the check engine light came on. The heat not working properly during startup was my first clue something was wrong. The heating system would eventually work, but it took much longer than usual. The engine also ran rough and used noticeably more fuel. I took it to a workshop where they diagnosed a faulty electric auxiliary heater. The heating element had completely failed, which explained the cold starts and increased fuel consumption. The total repair came to 350€ including parts and labor. The difference after repair was immediate, smooth cold starts and normal fuel consumption returned. Before offering more specific advice for your Caddy, could you share: Current mileage, Any warning lights on dashboard, Specific error codes from system memory, How long these symptoms have been present, Whether the blower motor is working normally This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced.

Thanks for sharing that experience. In my Caddy, last serviced at 107123km, these symptoms started about 2 weeks ago. The check engine light stays on constantly. The error codes point to a temperature control issue, and the cold air from vents during startup seems to confirm this. The blower motor works fine, but like you mentioned, the heating system takes unusually long to provide warm air. Would you know if the PTC heater replacement requires any special tools or programming? The 350€ repair cost you mentioned sounds reasonable if it solves these cold start issues and high fuel consumption problems.

Thanks for those additional details. Yes, my Golf repair situation sounds very similar to what your Caddy is experiencing. When my HVAC system was acting up, the workshop mentioned that PTC heater failures are fairly common in these models after 100000km. The electrical fault in the heating element typically requires professional repair due to the need for specialized diagnostic equipment and programming tools. When they fixed mine, they had to use a VAG-specific scanner to properly reset the system after installing the new PTC heater assembly. From what I learned during my repair, attempting a DIY fix can be tricky because: The heater assembly is located in a tight spot behind the dashboard, System requires proper calibration after replacement, Risk of damaging other HVAC components during removal The 350€ I paid included: PTC heater unit, Labor (about 2 hours), System programming, Final testing Post-repair benefits were worth the cost: Cold start problems disappeared, Fuel consumption returned to normal, Heat worked properly from startup, No more error codes Given your similar symptoms and mileage, I would recommend having it professionally diagnosed and repaired rather than attempting a DIY solution.

Thanks everyone for the detailed feedback. After hearing about these similar experiences, I will schedule an appointment with a certified workshop to check the temperature control system. The symptoms match exactly what has been described, slow heating system warmup, poor cold starts, and increased fuel consumption. The PTC heater seems the likely culprit, and knowing that special tools and programming are needed for the repair, I will not attempt this as a DIY job. The 350€ repair cost sounds like a worthwhile investment to resolve these issues. Just to close the loop, my Caddy has 107123km, check engine light is constantly on, and error codes indicate a temperature control malfunction. The blower motor works normally, but the HVAC system takes far too long to provide warm air. These problems started about 2 weeks ago. Will update once the workshop completes the heater repair and confirms if this resolves the cold start and fuel consumption issues.