Central Heating Controller not working

LynV

I have a heating controller which is very old now and it has ceased working. Sometimes the display is blank, sometimes it has all number 8's on it sometimes it looks normal and i can set the heating to off as i can't afford the radiators to go on. But the damn thing keeps turning itself on and the radiators although set to off are getting hot. What do i do. since my hubby had a stroke 2 years ago I struggle with things like this help please!

new2012

Is it mains or battery operated?

It might just need a new battery. What type is it?

LynV

I have no idea it has always just been screwed to the wall outside the bathroom

PennyForThem_2

If you rent it is your landlord's responsibility to mend this. If you are owner and you have a husband on disability and limited savings, check out your council as they may offer a repair service for minor faults at a reduced rate.

Otherwise you may need to pay for it to be fixed

LynV

will it require gas person or electrician? We own home so not sure what we can do. Hubby is on DLA

penrhyn

You need a gas safe registered heating engineer.
I say this rather than an electrician because the former will be familiar with central heating systems.

Mr_Ted

Even if it mains run most programmers have a battery as a back up and it sounds like the battery has died or as can happen the battery terminals have corrosion on them causing a bad contact.
Even though it is mains operated this will affect the operation.
Its a case of removing the front of the programmer, usually just held in by 2 tags at the bottom which can be released with a screw driver, tilt forward and lift off for access to the battery!
You will need to reset all the times afterwards so just turn the mains supply to the boiler off for safety!

penrhyn

Whats the make and model of the controller?

LynV

It does not say on it.

macman

Open it and there should be a rating plate giving the info. See post 7-probably just needs a battery change.

LynV

The controller says Grassun and Towerchron DJ71