Block Heater, 2011 Jetta TDi

[fastball]

My dealer gave the me the cord and said "Don't lose it, it's the world's most expensive electrical cord. It's about 160 bucks to buy new from us".

[Amerorg]

Yup, after resolving a little bit of (their) confusion, the parts dept of my dealership indicated that they indeed have the cord ... at $163 + tax, so $184! World's most expensive cord indeed. I wish my salesman had warned me. I can see a black market opportunity in stolen heater cords, perhaps even holding it for ransom! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) I repaired this one and plan to check out the scrap yards when it gets a little warmer. I would hope that someone will produce an after-market version once they are used long enough, enough cars. Since the Jetta, Golf, Passat and Audi (to name a few) all use the same cord (it seems), there is hope. I also plan to write VW and express my dismay and ask for an explanation of why they are mistreating customers at hostage. Some of us, at least me, don't like being screwed over an extension cord after having just paid over $35,000 for a new car. How not to win customer loyalty!

Thanks.

[Amerorg]

Should have mentioned that if that plug in the bumper gets damaged - for example, if the lid snaps off or it is hit by another motorist in a parking lot - there apparently is NO internal cable/cord or plug available separately which will mean you have to buy the WHOLE in-line heater unit. There's something wrong here, it seems to me!?!?! That was an element of the confusion the parts dept guy had with my initial question re the extension cord.

[tdidad]

Got the replacement "VW Specific" cord thanks to my kind dealer in Brantford ON. Apparently there were a number of vehicles released from the plant with no cords so my dealer supplied me with one...and it worked great @ -29C

[Cogen Man]

Originally Posted by tdidad

Got the replacement "VW Specific" cord thanks to my kind dealer in Brantford ON. Apparently there were a number of vehicles released from the plant with no cords so my dealer supplied me with one...and it worked great @ -29C

Thats why I recommended to the OP that he ask the dealership where he purchased the car. He should have had the cord in his car when he took delivery. Either his was one as tdidad stated above or someone at the OP's dealership, well. You get the picture.

[joesmoe3]

Originally Posted by Conrad -JSW

At least you Canadians can get a stock block heater. It makes no sense to me that we can't get the same thing here in the US.

We can order factory engine pre-heaters in the U.S. -- I did and installed it. My wife loves it.

To wit:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread...+heater&page=2

[hajuogard]

Originally Posted by Cogen Man

Thats why I recommended to the OP that he ask the dealership where he purchased the car. He should have had the cord in his car when he took delivery. Either his was one as tdidad stated above or someone at the OP's dealership, well. You get the picture.

I didn't have luck with Oakvile VW dealer who sold my car. He categorically denies fact that cord was missing when car was received and inspected. However I found that Calix is company from Sweden and makes all sort of car heating equipment. http://www.calix.se/consumer/index.asp?lang=UK

[Conrad -JSW]

Originally Posted by joesmoe3

We can order factory engine pre-heaters in the U.S. -- I did and installed it. My wife loves it.

To wit:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread...+heater&page=2

I meant installed from the factory. I plan on installing a Frost heater at some point in the near future.