Passat 3B: Climate Control HE Mode Activation

I recently installed an Eberspächer D5WSC heater in my Passat (as mentioned in my profile). It's connected to the Climatronic system. When heating, the Climatronic display shows the "HE" mode, but it always heats to "22 degrees Celsius and Auto," regardless of what was previously set. This isn't ideal, especially for defrosting windows on cold winter nights.
Research has revealed that there are likely three software variations for this control element. The first version does not have a "heat" mode. The second version (which is the one I have) always heats to an automatic temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. The third version, found in newer models with part number 3b1907044J, allows you to set any desired value in "heat" mode, and that setting will be retained until it is changed again. For example, you could set it to defrost at 28 degrees Celsius or any other custom setting.
My current control unit has the part number: 3B1907044B and the software version V1.0.0.
My question is: Do I need to purchase a climate control unit with the "J" designation, or does anyone know if Volkswagen offers software updates for these units?

Hi Steffen!

The climate control in my A4 does exactly the same thing: 22°C and set to AUTO.

However, I wouldn't mind it because the current settings have always been sufficient to comfortably warm the interior and quickly defrost the windows.

I think that using settings like 28°C and DEFROST on the windshield can cause a significant temperature shock. Additionally, in this setting, the engine may not warm up as quickly. Finally, while you might feel hot in your head, it's still very cold in your legs...

Best regards from Munich!

Hi Bärli,
This week, we had a low of 5 degrees Celsius in the mornings. I ran the heating for 30 minutes. The temperature display showed just under 90 degrees, but it wasn't excessively warm inside. Afterwards, I did some research online and came across information about the different software versions of the climate control system.
In the Sharan, even though it has a factory-installed D5WS heater with the same power output, a larger interior space, and longer external water passages, it will be much more comfortable after 30 minutes of heating, even with the N214 system deactivated. The climate control system does not offer any settings in "HE" (heat) mode; the temperature readings are not even displayed. See photo.
[img] https://community.dieselschrauber.org/en/viewtopic.php?t=24047 [/img]
Earlier, I found the settings "Eco" and "High" on the control panel of the heating device. Maybe you're right, and I should try using "High" again on the next cold day.
The specified settings were chosen completely arbitrarily. It could just as easily be called "26 degrees Celsius footrest heating."

It's strange... In my A4, everything is clear after just 10-20 minutes (I wouldn't even need 30 minutes in temperatures as low as -20°C!), and it's comfortably warm inside.

Bevor Du das Geld für ein (unnötig) neues Bedienteil aus dem Fenster wirfst, würde ich ggf. mit FFB einschalten, warten bis die Kühlmittel-Schwelltemp. von 55°C erreicht ist, das Bedienteil der Klima somit in Betrieb geht und dann die Temperatur auf z. B. 2Increase by 8°C.
If, after the aforementioned 30 minutes, the interior is not noticeably warmer (which I assume is the case), then the problem isn't with the climate control system itself, or at least not with its software version.

Best regards from Munich!

We can gladly run two test runs in the next few days. I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes.

First run this morning with no changes whatsoever:

Second run. Although the outdoor temperature display on the weather station malfunctioned last night, you can see on the remote control that the interior of the car is again at exactly 10°C, just like the day before. This time, the climate control was manually set to 28 degrees Celsius in automatic mode and with the fan running at level 4 at 5:40 AM. With the same temperatures and heating duration, the result is significantly different.

Last week, I had the opportunity to experiment with various climate control panels.
The climate control unit 3B1944007J is absolutely not compatible with the Passat 3B. The "J" version, among other things, is used in vehicles with a chassis number starting from 3BG. Basic functions like lighting or the outside temperature display are connected via CAN bus and simply won't work in an older model. When using this unit, the temperature display on the instrument cluster will also stop working, even if all the connectors fit. While you can freely adjust the temperature in "HE" mode with the "J" version, this is irrelevant under these circumstances. Furthermore, the "J" cannot be coded for a Passat 3B because it is not designed for that model.
The Klimatronik 3B1944007C, on the other hand, leaves nothing to be desired. It offers all features, and the temperature in "HE" mode is freely adjustable. You just need to remember the setting when exiting the vehicle. Coding works without any problems.
Units J and C have the short form factor. Unit B, which was originally installed in my system, has the long form factor. However, everything fits perfectly and works "plug and play."
You can exchange a B for a C, even though they have different designs, but you cannot exchange a J.
Perhaps someone is considering converting their car to have a heated seat system, and this information will be useful to them so they don't waste money buying and trying out various climate control components unnecessarily.