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Older Eberspacher Diesel Air Heaters under 3KW
Eberspacher Models D1LCC D1LC D1L D2L BN2
* Dates are a general indication only, nearly all are very much best guesses as date information is not published. The data is provided as a rough guide, check carefully with the Eberspacher manuals if it is critical. Models were produced in 12 or 24 volt versions.
Click on images for better quality.
Eberspacher D1LCC also known as D1LC Compact
Manufactured 1996*, replaced by Airtronic D2 model 2003* but still being sold for several years after that.
Automatic settings Boost High Med Low Standby.
Heat output 2200 1800 1200 850 0 watts.
Fuel consumption 0.27 0.21 0.14 0.10 0 l/hr.
Power consumption 34 22 12 8 5 watts
Current 12v approx 3 2 1 0.8 0.8 amps
Current 12v start, glow pin on 21 amps for up to 1½ minutes
Manufactured in 12 and 24 volt versions.
Length 360, Width 125, Height 133 mm.
Combustion air inlet pipe 20 mm Exhaust outlet pipe 24 mm.
D1LCC with outlet hood Ø 60 mm, heater guide number 6
D1LCC with outlet hood Ø 75 mm, heater guide number 15
Spare parts availability Good
Wiring connection details see Wiring page.
Ducting information see Ducting pages.
Full servicing information see D1LCC Service pages.
Fault finding information see Faults pages.
A very good heater if you don't go for an Airtronic D2.
I use one and find it as good as a D2 in operation.
Start current is double that of a D2 so thicker cables needed.
We understand there is a ventilation function but it is not documented in the manuals.
Ventilation mode is not compatible with modern controllers.
Not as easy to service as the D2, part of the heat exchanger cannot be reached for mechanical cleaning.
Gaskets glowpin and screen are readily available.
Servicing details are on the D1LCC service page.
D1LCC heaters sold on Ebay were often from BT vans, by now these will be at least third hand. The loom is often butchered with connectors cut off and joins in the wires as shown here.
Label on heater rates heater at 1800W so possibly boost setting is only used during startup.
Confusingly sometimes users can call this heater a D1LC thinking that designation is sufficient to identify it, not realising the D1LC is an older model.
Distinguishing feature to look for when buying:-
The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is fitted inside the heater case, with earlier models the ECU and relay(s) were external.
Manufactured from 1975* to 1989*.
Heat output 1800 watts single heat setting
Fuel consumption 0.21 l/hr.
Power consumption 40 watts
Current 12v approx 3.5 amps
Current 12v start glow pin on 21 amps
Current 24v start glow pin on 21 amps (uses same glowpin with a dropper resistor)
Manufactured in 12 and 24 volt versions.
Length 356 Width 119 Height 122 mm.
Combustion air input pipe 17 mm Exhaust outlet pipe 24 mm.
D1L with outlet hood Ø 50 mm, heater guide number 10
Spare parts availability Obsolete, parts running out.
Glowpins are sometimes listed on Ebay.
Gasket available from dealers.
Servicing photos are on our servicing pages.
Very basic heater, single speed on / off operation.
30 to 40 years old.
Some have a ventilation option.
Usually fitted with an 'on / off' type thermostat controller. This heater is not compatible with the rheostat or more modern controllers.
Inlet and exhaust on this model must be the same length.
External ECU having 2 & 6 way connectors and a motor fuse.
An overheat sensor under the rubber bung shuts off heater if it overheats, has to be pressed to reset.
Pump starts at same time as glowpin so if heater is not in excellent condition there will be much smoke.
The glowpin screen is not replaceable on this model. 24 volt model has an extra glowpin relay.
Photos of the ECU out of the case are on the ECU dismantle page.
These heaters are usually bought because they are cheaper than later models.
Sometimes users buy D1Ls without ECU and pump and ask us where to get them cheaply. My advice then is it is cheaper to throw it away and buy a more modern version than to get the missing parts.
The information on the website covers the straightforward D1L fault repairs. Any other faults are probably beyond economic repair. Due to these factors and a high workload answering queries on later heaters with a better chance of a successful repair we have decided to stop offering detailed advice for this model.
Replace with a modern version.
Personal opinion
Would I fit one in my van? No.
D1L fan and heater runs at full speed so noise level does not reduce like multi-
Single heat setting means heater has to switch on and off regularly to maintain temperature. The resulting temperature variation will subjectively be high so you feel alternatively hot and then shivering.
Each restart draws high glowpin current. This combined with current draw of 3.5 amps when operating means battery will become flat a lot quicker than later models.
Eberspacher D1LC
My Eberspacher D1LCC heater on a metal plate.
Heating air inlet left, Heated air outlet hood right.
Bottom: Combustion air inlet, Fuel inlet, Exhaust.
Eberspacher D1L
12 volt D1Ls have none or one relay.
24 volt D1Ls have one or two relays.
The optional relay provides a ventilation setting.
Power connector and fuel pump on left, rheostat controller top. Controller cable is joined in two places. The exhaust port on this D1LCC is very badly corroded and needs repair.
(Exhaust repair method awaiting practical testing).
Manufactured 1989* to 1998*, replaced by D1LCC.
Automatic settings High Med Low Standby.
Heat output 1800 1200 850 0 watts.
Fuel consumption 0.21 0.14 0.10 0 l/hr.
Power consumption 30 20 20 0 watts
Current 12v approx 2.5 2 2 0 amps
Current 12v start glow pin on 21 amps
Ventilation only mode.
Manufactured in 12 and 24 volt versions.
Length 360 Width 132 Height 139 mm.
Combustion air inlet pipe 22 mm.
Exhaust outlet pipe 24 mm.
Early model air inlet pipe 20 mm.
Duct rating unknown, probably same as D1LCC
Spare parts availability Reasonably ok.
Gaskets, glowpin and screen same as D1LCC.
10 to 20 years old so getting towards end of Eberspacher support for items like ECU.
Servicing information generally similar to D1LCC.
External ECU having 4 & 12 way connectors plus a relay means it is not as convenient to mount as D1LCC or D2 models. Relay and ECU should be mounted vertically.
The D1L can be mistaken for a D1LC or even a D1LCC, check carefully before buying a D1L by mistake.
The D1LC comes in 5 release versions, R0, R1, R2, R3, R4. The number should be printed on the ECU.
Only R3 and R4 versions have ECU locking. One user has an R2 version which was dated 1991.
The diagnostics work with modern diagnosis equipment like 701 or 801 controllers.
There are also some simpler diagnostics built into the D1LC.
If you connect pin 4 and pin 6 on the controller (yellow and black/white wires) together for between a half and two seconds the controller light should blink the fault codes.
Download this pdf for the details and the output codes http://www.avtonomka-
See Controllers page 301 modulator for a circuit which shows the LED joined to the blue/white wire.
One manual quotes on test fan speeds 800 3000 4500 rpm.
Flame sensor 900 -
Most D1LCs will go on for many years, just needing an occasional service to keep them running.
These heaters are quite old and they are approaching the end of Eberspacher support.
If they do fail and the fault is not simple to fix it is probably a good time to consider replacement.
One source says ventilation mode was a special for UK versions, this is not true, all have this mode.
D1L 12 volt version with optional ventilation relay.
D1L 24 volt version has an extra glowpin relay.
This loom also has the optional ventilation relay.
Top view with brown overheat reset button.
D2 and D1L heaters size comparison, D2 uppermost.
D2L
Photos Tim Claseman
Manufacturing dates not known. Often these were fitted under camper vans.
D2L and B2L heaters are obsolete and no longer supported by Eberspacher.
Single heat setting 2300 watts. Battery power taken start 240 watts, run 15 watts
These heaters are very old, spare parts like gaskets are unlikely to be available.
Corroded and loose connections are worth checking if unit is faulty.
Glow pins may still be available.
Any other faults will probably be beyond economic repair, replace with a modern alternative.
This forum article has photos of mounting a D2 in the same position, a new box will be needed to be made.
http://www.brick-
Eberspacher BN2
Manufactured pre 1969ish*
6 volt or 12 volt models. 2.3 Kw Petrol
This model is obsolete and is included just for general interest.
Originally often fitted to old VW camper vans and really only suitable for classic vehicles.
They probably have a steel heat exchanger. These should be replaced every 10 years as a precaution to prevent stress fractures.
Photo Vwkever (Creative Commons license.)
Photos John Buckley
ECU
Corrosion and bad joints on the D1LC printed circuit board are a common problem and this printed circuit board has previously been repaired with wire links.
Usual cause is the soldered connections between the 12 pin connector and the pcb.
Servicing photos
If you service a model we have not fully covered here we would like to incorporate the details and photos to help others. We would need a full set of good or at least reasonable quality pictures and a description of each stage. Ideally photos should be high resolution as possible, preferably the original unedited and uncropped versions, on a cd or dvd if too big to send by email.
I can edit, add arrows etc. We always acknowledge the source of such photos.
If your heater is really carboned up we would welcome detailed photos to add to our pages.
Photos of specific problems are also of interest.
Page 1 covers Airtronic models D2 D4 D5
Page 2 covers older models D1LCC, D1LC, D1L, B2L, D2L, BN2
Page 3 covers older models D3LCC, D3LC, D3L.
Page 4 covers older models D5LC, D5L, D4L.
Photos Robert Wilcox
D1L-
Photo Daniel Vecchiato