WRL22 PTC Heater Ground Bolt | All You Need To Know

In this article, we’ll discuss a few justifications for WRL22 PTC Heater Ground Bolt. Ascents from the model years 2019–22 are included in the population. There may have been an issue with how the ground bolt was attached, which might have caused the ground terminal of the positive temperature coefficient heater and surrounding components to melt, increasing the possibility of a fire.

Owners are recommended to park their Ascent far from buildings and to have it under their supervision at all times. Stop driving and turn off the ignition if you see or smell smoke from the dash or the driver’s footwell.

WRL22 PTC Heater Ground Bolt

Please refer to the WRL-22 Product Campaign Bulletin, now accessible on STIS, for comprehensive service, parts, and claim instructions. The limits of conventional resistance heaters are well known to anyone who has ever driven a car that has been overheated.

There is a huge safety concern, such as the possibility of a fire, when you rely on a single-point sensor to estimate the temperature of an entire surface. Here’s another, more intelligent remedy—heaters with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC).

What Is A PTC Heater?

Most common heaters use a conventional resistance wire and coil to produce heat. A PTC heater skips this configuration. Instead, it uses a ceramic stone made of barium titanate as its heating element.

The PTC heater can function as its sensor thanks to the material’s special characteristics. The heater can run in an open-loop configuration without external diagnostics or feedback control. As a result, there is no chance of overheating with the PTC heater.

It is great for items that require safe, quick, and consistent heating because it is more efficient and dependable than its regular model counterpart.

Safer

Thanks to its distinctive design; the PTC heater can avoid all the common failure mechanisms and traps in resistance wire, carbon fiber, and etched foil heaters. The system will “fail to cool” if any failure occurs, making it harmless.

While the rest of the heater continues to operate normally, the malfunctioning component will stop requiring more electricity. In addition, it serves as its sensor, preventing any possibility of overheating.

Self-Regulating Function

PTC heaters are also independent and self-regulating. The PTC heater modifies its usage based on the surrounding environment. As it gradually achieves the ideal temperature, it can begin to reduce production. The heater can maintain its temperature and keep its output as low as feasible while it recedes.

Lightweight Materials

Forget about big, traditional heaters. The system is portable and small when you buy a PTC heater. The PTC unit has the smallest feasible footprint.

More adaptable than silicone heaters are PTC heaters. PTC heaters can be connected in parallel to handle a large space’s heating needs.

Fewer Substances

PTC heaters feature fewer working components than conventional heat sinks. There are less costly parts to replace and less wear and tear. Additionally, the ceramic components of your system are more resistant to corrosion, chemical wear, and water damage. These advantages increase your return on investment and contribute to the maximum longevity of your control system.

More Cost-Effective

Long-term energy consumption is reduced as a result, which can result in substantial financial savings for users. PTC heaters are made to draw their entire amount of power at lower temperatures, enabling them to reach their threshold temperature as rapidly as feasible.

They use less energy than standard heaters do. When you choose a PTC heater, you can save money and have lower utility bills.

Conclusion

According to the safety recall released on Friday, the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) WRL22 PTC Heater Ground Bolt, which secures the ground terminal, may have been improperly fastened during production.  The problem may cause the ground terminal and nearby components to melt, increasing the possibility of the car catching fire when the PTC heater is running.

In a press release, Subaru stated that it would mail notices to all vehicle owners who this problem might impact within the following 60 days. Subaru added that they are making this recall public to encourage owners of the affected vehicles to contact a licensed Subaru store as soon as they learn about it from Subaru of America.

In the same statement, it was also said that Subaru retailers will replace the PTC Heater Ground Bolts and replace the ground wire and connector holder, if necessary, all at no charge to the customers. According to Subaru, only 0.6 percent of Ascents manufactured from 2019 to 2022 will need their ground wire and connector holder replaced.

Subaru claims that no accidents or injuries have resulted from this problem to date. Subaru advises owners of affected models to store their cars away from garages, carports, and other buildings and only leave the engine unattended once the car has been inspected. 

Finally, Subaru recommends owners of potentially affected vehicles flip the ignition switch to the “off” position right once they observe smoke coming from the dash or driver’s footwell.

Frequently Asked Questions