The bulbs sound like a good simple idea. No issue with power drain? Assuming they are using the battery.You need something like the DEFA coolant preheater that I (and I think @dj_efk ) have. This plugs into the mains ; add a 24h timer and you can start heating a few hours before you need to commute in the morning. You could then go a step further and plumb in an in-line pump with a timerswitch / remote control with a bit of jiggery-pokery, but this doesn't really do much more. Otherwise, adding the pump unit (common to the contemporary A6/A8) to the standard early A2Tdi Webasto as well as some form of remote activation system can do much the same but with higher heating power from the Webasto.
Having said that, the preheater on its own generates gentle flow around the block and short coolant circuit behind the thermostat and can get the entire engine / coolant (excluding radiator) system up to a comfy 45-50 degrees overnight (when zero degrees or slightly lower outside), meaning that you have near-instant warm air, and if driving reasonably hard immediately, it never goes below this and rapidly gets up to the full 90 with heating active.
For keeping the cold off in the cabin, I have 2x 60W incandescent bulbs on clip-holders inside the cabin overnight. Keeps it above zero (so windows remain clear) and if very slightly warmer, ensures that the seats and steering wheel are acceptably temperate when you get into the car - combined with the DEFA means you have clear windows and acceptable warmth straight away.
Another nice possibility apart from heated seats would be the heated 4-spoke (non-sport) steering wheel used in the contemporary A6. Amusingly, in all C5 (1997-2005) A6 models this is an 8Z (A2) part number, even wheels that weren't offered actually as an option on an A2, but this would then need some additional power circuitry and / or a switch that would really only be possible if you got someone like @timmus to put it together.
No power drain issue : they're powered by mains on a long outdoor extension cable normally used for a hedgetrimmer plugged in from the driveway and run under the garage door. This is narrow enough to fit through the thick rubber door seal of the drivers door without impacting the door closure. Lightbulbs are in clip-on fittings, one normally clipped onto a cup holder, the other to the cubby hole behind the handbrake. Used to use something similar for drying out rowing boats overnight when needing fibreglass/honeycomb repairs under slow, controlled conditions rather than messing around with hair-dryers or heat guns (where inattention could cause scorching/melting, or fire or both!).The bulbs sound like a good simple idea. No issue with power drain? Assuming they are using the battery.
No mention of any CE/TUV type approvals either.Hmm. I would steer clear - especially the "buletooth" version....
Wouldn’t it be nice to heat up the A2 interior on a cold winters day using the fob from inside the house.
I’m guessing this is not an easy (or even possible) mod but thought I’d ask anyway.
So…has anyone worked out how to do this?
Same fob to operate the webasto on my 2011 Caddy TDI... Absolute godsend. Runs for no more than 30 mins, won't run if fuel is low and in the red and won't run above ... 10 perhaps...Celsius...My FSI has this to remotely fire up it’s Webasto …..
View attachment 117460
Hit the button when I’m still in bed & it defrosts the windows, heats up the cabin & gets coolant to 80c, all while I’m in the shower !!
Simples ..okay it’s not a meerkat !!
Even has an Audi symbol on it, so must have been an option on my German spec car In 2005.
There's a complete kit available for this here:
Conversion kit for auxiliary heater for Audi A2 1.4l TDI
Very tempted, although it does start to get expensive when you add the desirable options like T99 or T100 Remote Control...
What do you think @timmus? Possible mod?You can easily use an gsm remote, wich is much cheaper, has an unlimited reach. Manuals on how to connect this to the webaso heaters are avaliable online in many forums:
example:
G202 2G Remote Control 200 Users GSM Gate Opener Relay Switch Door Access | eBay
<li> Features:<br> 100% Brand new and high quality!<br> This Internet Streaming/Media Centre TV Box is for you!<br> Supports usual for Android apps so you can access your for email, for Facebook etc. via your TV.<br> Best choice for yourself or your friend.</li>www.ebay.co.uk
exampel 2:
RTU5024 GSM Gate Opener Relay Switch Remote Control Wireless Door Opener 12V | eBay
There are no call costs, the GSM Gate Opener/Relay Switch rejects the call from authorized number then carries out the turn ON/OFF action. GSM Gate, Barrier, Shutter, Garage Door and Door opener. GSM Quad-band, can work in the worldwide 2G GSM Networks;.www.ebay.co.uk
Video:
I use this in my Van with a planar heater. Another benefit is, the police can probably track the car, when its stolen, and see, in wich gsm cell it is booked in, not very accurate so, but better then nothing.
Great guide that. What price @2work having one fitted in project EAD by Monday?!?Mobile Phone Activated Webasto
Mobile Phone Activated Webasto: Everyone in my wifes family drives a VW Passat with 2 l diesel. They all have Webasto engine heaters for the winter. My wife has the oldest Passat and her heater remote broke, so we started to think about activating the heating by mobile phone. One …www.instructables.com
More information on this
Evening Erling,Great guide that. What price @2work having one fitted in project EAD by Monday?!?