Kia Sportage: Heater / PTC Heater Description and operation
The PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater is installed at the exit or
the backside of heater core.
The PTC heater is an electric heater using a PTC element as an auxiliary heating
device that supplements deficiency of interior heat source in highly effective
diesel engine. The electric heater heats up the interior by directly heating
the air that passes through the heater. The name itself implies that the element
has a proportional resistance change sensitive to temperature.

Operation Principle
ECM outputs a PTC ON signal and operates PTC relay 1. Then heater controller
operates PTC relay 2 and PTC relay 3 with an interval of 15 seconds.
However, PTC relay 3 can be operated while battery voltage is above 12.4V.
Operating Condition
PTC heater operates according to the following conditions;
• |
Battery voltage: 12.4V or above
|
• |
Ambient temperature and coolant temperature
|
Ambient
Temperature
|
Coolant
Temperature
|
PTC
Operation
|
Below -20°C
(-4°F)
|
Below 75°C (167°F)
|
ON
|
10°C (504°F)
|
Below 65°C (149°F)
|
ON
|
12°C (53.6°F) or above
|
-
|
OFF
|
-
|
80°C (176°F) or above
|
OFF
|

Replacement
1.
Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal.
2.
Recover the refrigerant with a recovery/recycling/charging station.
...
Inspection
Operating Logic Test (Manual only)
Inspect the PTC operation by confirmation logic as follows;
1.
Entering
(1)
Se ...
Other information:
Filter inspection
The climate control air filter should be replaced according to the maintenance
schedule.
If the vehicle is operated in severely air-polluted cities or on dusty rough
roads for a long period, it should be inspected more frequently and replaced
earlier. ...
WARNING: This battery pack should
only be serviced by an authorized electric
vehicle technician. Improper handling can
result in personal injury or death.
WARNING: Apply the parking brake,
shift into park (P), switch the ignition off
and remove the key before you open the
hood or have any serv ...