Scour the forums and you’ll see that for a right hand drive VW Golf, Bora, Jetta, Passat Mk5 (and Audi/Skoda/Seat equivalents) with an auxiliary heater (typically with VW part number: 1K0963235E) they go wrong and stop working. I was getting a fault codes associated with the aux heater from VCDS, 00361-014 – Defective. I suspect this is due to faulty resistors in the control module which forms the top section of the aux heater. In later models (with 1K0963235F onwards), the aux heater and control module were separated and were a lot more reliable. Some people say you can re-solder the resistors inside, but I’m going to buy another used one to try first.

As you can see from the clip, you don’t need to cut the plastic or need arms like Popeye to excessively bend it out the way. After you gained access to the aux heater (by removing the glovebox, vent duct, recirc actuator and aux heater cover plate), just remove the 3 bolts that I indicate in the clip, pull the plastic to the left and slide the heater out. Took me about 40 mins in total – any more and you’re making life hard for yourself somehow.

Hope this is helpful, leave and questions or comments below.