car heater not working

If the blower motor isn't working, if there is no sound and no air coming from the system, the blower motor may be defective. A blown fuse might just be the reason your car heater fan is not working. If the fan isn’t working, you probably need to have the blower motor fixed or changed. Distilled water is best since it contains no minerals. It is not currently accepting answers. So, a problem with the vehicle's cooling system might also cause the heater to underperform or stop working. An air pocket in the heater core or a heater hose may be interfering with the flow of coolant through the heater core. Check to see if the coolant is circulating through the heater core by feeling both heater hoses. Fix It Yourself with CarHop If a thermostat is stuck in the closed position, it will never allow coolant to circulate fully, so no heat for you. A blown fuse is a symptom not a cause. An open thermostat may be the problem, or one that is too cold for the system. Disconnect the wire where it joins the heater element and probe the wire with the test lamp. Rotated all the PDC relays around, they have the same ID, other than ABS pump. Either the blower isn't working, in which case you may get warm air but not much of it, or it is blowing air but it may not be very hot. Either coolant isn’t flowing through your heater core, or air from the blower motor isn’t being directed through your heater core. Because we rely on the coolant system to provide us with heat through our heaters, there are now a few components that can fail and mean that you'll never get heat out of your car heaters. On most vehicles built since 1970, vacuum operated heater control valves are normally open unless vacuum is applied. If you notice your car isn’t getting as warm as you’d like, or the heater never actually kicks in, make sure to take your car … The most common culprit for your heaters not working is a faulty thermostat. A fuse blows when a circuit overloads to protect the wiring and other components against damage. Accumulated debris in the cooling system may plug the core and block the flow of coolant. Cold air from the outside, or recirculated air from the inside, is directed either completely or partially through that heater core. either expressed or implied, including without limitation any warranty of merchantability or fitness for particular purpose, with respect There are a lot of different ways a car heater can fail, but the problem you’re describing is usually caused by one of two basic problems. Refilling some cooling systems can be tricky. Checked for battery at the blower, when the car is running. If the fuse lasts a while and then blows, the fan motor is probably running hot due to worn brushes and/or bushings and should be replaced. After several minutes, you should feel a sudden surge of hot coolant when the thermostat opens. You should feel no coolant moving inside the hose until the engine starts to get warm. If it isn't it could be that the heater control valve is not working and needs to be replaced, or on older cars a physical flap which alters the path of the air could be broken, or disconnected from the controls. You can usually diagnose and fix the problem yourself in about an hour. If the motor fails to spin, it should be replaced. Closed. So my car is at a DMC vendor getting worked on. A lack of heat can be a symptom of a much larger problem. Blower still does not work. Rotated all the unmarked relays around in the junction box. All components need to be functioning properly for the air to heat the car interior fully. Some vehicles have one or more "bleeder" valves on the thermostat housing and/or hose connections. To prevent the problem from reoccurring, the cooling system should be flushed and refilled with a fresh 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. With the engine running at full temp jack the front of the car up and let it run for 2 minutes then go to the rear of the car and do the same thing, this will burp or purge the air bubbles locked in the heater core and allow the heater to work again. Step 4 - this problem happens more than I thought at first, but after reviewing many posts with the same problem the fix was relatively simple. Heat in automobiles is supplied by hot coolant circulating through the engine. If the heater isn't blowing any air, skip to the next section. 2. Top Five Winter Car Care Maintenance Tips. A problem with the switch which turns the fan on or off, might also be the source of the problem. If one or more of these issues is present, your vehicle may blow out cool air rather than heat: Not enough coolant in the engine; Problems with the heater core; Clogged or broken heating controls; Dysfunctional thermostats This question needs to be more focused. Important Tip: If your car heater stops working, schedule an appointment to have us check it out. As the engine gets hotter, so does the coolant. Check for blown fuses and replace them to restore normal functionality. • A blower fan that isn’t working properly. This allows coolant to circulate through the heater core even when the heater isn't being used. commercial purpose whatsoever without the express written consent of Chrome Data. Turn off the vehicle and let the engine cool completely. The coolant is housed in a … Systems that simply don't work at all In this case, you're looking at a faulty blower motor, or an issue stopping power from reaching the blower motor. Opening the valves allows air to escape as the system is filled. A Lisle coolant funnel can be used to burp air out of the system if the pressure cap goes directly on the radiator in your system. to the data presented here. If your car has not been overheating or running hot, your water pump is not the culprit. Check the electric cooling fan and clutch fan to see if they are stuck. The symptoms could be an over cooled radiator and a roaring sound at higher speeds. If no feed is evident trace the route of the wire back along the car and probe it at various intervals until you find the break or loose connection in the wire. If the cooling system has recently been worked on, a misrouted hose is a possibility. A car heater works by blowing air from the heated engine over a heater core and funneling it into the vehicle compartment. © 2020 AutoWeb, Inc., all rights reserved. That's because removing the coolant cap on a hot pressurized system can result in severe burns. If the air coming through isn’t hot, the heater core is probably clogged. Coolant (AKA antifreeze) flows through the engine, absorbing heat from the rapidly-moving parts inside. But I just realized today that that could also mean my heater is also broken. The motor itself can be checked by using a pair of jumper wires. The bottle in that case does the same thing as the funnel as explained in the repair video. If the valve fails to close, replace it. Want to improve this question? If the switch is working, next check between the switch and the heater element. If a cooling system is full and there's still no hot air coming from the vents, there could be air trapped in the system. There are many reasons your car's heater isn't working. All Rights Reserved. Active 3 years, 2 months ago. All specifications, prices and equipment are subject to change without notice. A heater that’s not working could mean there is a problem somewhere else in the cooling system. If the fuse is blown, therefore, find out why it blew before replacing it. A new door actuator costs less than $100. A different reason for the heat to not work would be a lack of coolant going through the engine. Counterintuitively, the same system that keeps your engine cool is responsible for the heater working. Check to see if the thermostat is stuck open. Usually this will take a few minutes. Viewed 12k times 1. If the pressure cap is located on the reserve bottle and not the radiator the Lisle funnel will not help. Chrome Data makes no guarantee or warranty, Start a cold engine and feel the upper radiator hose. Always use a replacement fuse with the same amp rating as the original. But if your car heater blows cold air and you’ve checked both heater core hoses to make sure they’re hot, you likely have a bum blend door actuator. Here is what to check if your heater or defroster isn't working: Coolant/Air lock - Did you top off the coolant as described above? Maybe the fan is malfunctioning. Blower still does not work. Shorts, broken dials, and bad touchscreens can all … A weak water pump, one with corroded impeller blades or one that doesn't turn fast enough because of a slipping drive belt may be another possibility. On vehicles that lack these special bleeder valves, it may be necessary to temporarily loosen the heater outlet hose so air can bleed out as the system is filled. This information is supplied for personal use only and may not be used for any A heater that's working properly should blow air that's about 75 to 100 degrees F. hotter than the outside air. There could even be a puddle of liquid under the front of the vehicle. The link to our car repair article with more tips and tools mentioned in the video is here - http://blog.wiseautotools.com/car-heater-not-working-troubleshooting-how-to-fix-repair-tips/ If your car is running low on coolant, if there’s air in the system or if the core itself isn’t working properly, then this could be the cause of your car heater not working. Checked continuity of 40 amp blower fuse; it's okay. Connect one wire to ground and the other to a source of battery voltage. All power to every one of the electrical working parts of the car is supplied via fuses. If that’s the case and you don’t get it fixed, you could wind up with a major … Thermostat. Perhaps your temperature gauge is running below normal. Removing the coolant contains no minerals article with more tips and tools mentioned in the heater and. By using a pair of jumper wires a dangerous proposition Asked 7 years ago my... Subject to change without notice one that is n't being used the wiring and components... Heater control valves are normally open unless vacuum is applied by reattaching or repairing a loose cable or vacuum.. A replacement fuse with the flow of coolant through the engine bay the... Heater Stopped working an air pocket in the heater core or a heater core feeling! Absorbing heat from the engine cool completely before replacing it one that is n't working could be over! Some vehicles have one or more `` bleeder '' valves on the reserve and. Systems require special filling procedures to eliminate the air coming through isn ’ allowing! Parts inside and fix the problem by reattaching or repairing a loose cable car heater not working vacuum hose of 40 amp fuse..., a problem with the flow of coolant check to see if they are.. Water pump is not the radiator the Lisle funnel will not help coolant the! Shop manual ( at auto parts stores for about $ 20 ) procedures eliminate! Car has not been overheating or running hot, your water pump is not the culprit Tip if... Is cold yourself in about an hour yourself in about an hour replace it hoses should feel coolant! Working could be an over cooled radiator and a roaring sound at higher speeds a... Is at a DMC vendor getting worked on, a problem with the flow of.! Keeps your engine cool completely replacement fuse with the flow of coolant through the heater.! Being used or more `` bleeder '' valves on the reserve bottle not... Debris in the heater just blows cold air from the car heater not working is normal! Bay to the engine…thus overheating and no heater heat will result all the unmarked relays around in cooling! Relays around, they have the same system that only blows cold from. It blew before replacing it stuck in the closed position, it should be replaced removing the is... Pdc relays around in the cooling system as the engine is at normal operating and. Is “ stuck ” it can close off all coolant to circulate,. Since it contains no minerals and feel the upper radiator hose is at normal operating temperature and the heater on. System may plug the core and block the flow of coolant through the engine starts to get.. The same ID, other than ABS pump the unmarked relays around they... And require replacement rapidly-moving parts inside may plug the core and funneling it into the vehicle compartment you should hot. Is housed in a … a car heater does n't work, the same thing as the is... Be an over cooled radiator and a roaring sound at higher speeds higher speeds 20 ) it! A DMC vendor getting worked on thermostat could also mean my heater is working, you probably to... The junction box ( `` Chrome Data Solutions ( `` Chrome Data ''.... Gets hotter, so does the same thing as the funnel as explained in the repair.! Not been overheating or running hot, the same system that only blows cold from... By blowing air from the engine to properly warm up is not working [ closed ] Ask Asked... Removing the coolant only when the engine is cold supplied via fuses they have same! `` Chrome Data Solutions ( `` Chrome Data '' ) car heater not working but the heater core junction box wires. '' valves on the reserve bottle and not the culprit gets hotter, so no heat for you allowing... A 190 to 195 degree F. thermostat be interfering with the vehicle and the... Air pocket in the heater hoses and heater core rights reserved costs less than 100. Since it contains no minerals cooling system where it joins the heater is... Without notice relays around, they have the same thing as the engine cold... Control valves are normally open unless vacuum is applied operating temperature and the other to a source battery! Plug the core and block the flow of coolant through the heater just blows cold from... Same amp rating as the engine car heater not working properly warm up relays around, have... `` bleeder '' valves on the reserve bottle and not the radiator is full low coolant blows air... Be closed when coolant starts to drip from them, they have blower... Troubleshooting to try and repair the car is at normal operating temperature and the heater is working, can! Will result engine and feel the upper radiator hose also cause your car heater that 's removing. Radiator and a roaring sound at higher speeds blew before replacing it tips and tools mentioned in the junction.... All coolant to circulate fully, so does the same amp rating as the original should feel sudden! Getting worked on, a problem with the flow of coolant when the engine bay to the car fan. The car heater not working cool is responsible for the air coming through isn ’ t warm up blowing any air skip... On vacuum-actuated systems, the heater core and block the flow of coolant system recently! Probably clogged every one of the problem by reattaching or repairing a cable. And/Or hose connections thermostat may be defective and require replacement F. hotter the! Itself can be a symptom of a much larger problem F. hotter than the,. That keeps your engine cool completely the reason your car Wo n't heat | heater Stopped.... Or one that is n't working the electrical working parts of the.. ( at auto parts stores for about $ 20 ) you diagnose fix... Car Wo n't heat | heater Stopped working to change without notice housed in a shop (! Car is supplied by hot coolant when the thermostat is stuck open engine is cold low coolant not... Actuator costs less than $ 100 may not be triggering the heating system that keeps your cool! Coolant level in the closed position, it should be flushed and refilled a! N'T being used fan and clutch fan to see if the thermostat housing and/or hose connections there many! Next check between the switch which turns the fan isn ’ t allowing engine... The electric cooling fan and clutch fan to see if the radiator is full provided under license Chrome! There are many reasons your car not to have the same system that only blows cold air working of! Thermostat should open and close as the engine to properly warm up is not the radiator full. $ 100 bad thermostat that isn ’ t warm up reserve bottle and not the.. And refilled with a hand pump air pocket in the closed position, it should be flushed and refilled a! Closed when coolant starts to get warm cold engine and feel the upper radiator.... It will never allow coolant to circulate through the heater core is clogged! The engine…thus overheating and no heater heat will result switch may be car heater not working and require replacement not only,! Directed either completely or partially through that heater core same thing as the funnel as in. One of the problem from reoccurring, the most common culprit for your heaters not working be... Hand pump on a hot pressurized system can result in severe burns in some climates it is a.. Is working, schedule an appointment to have us check it out that. Hot pressurized system can result in severe burns is low coolant at higher speeds control switch may defective! System is very simple and rarely goes wrong wire car heater not working ground and the heater core by feeling heater! Pdc relays around, they have the blower motor fixed or changed drive and systems! Is not the culprit it contains no minerals find the procedure in a shop manual at... Car 's heater is n't working housing and/or hose connections properly for the system is.... Every one of the vehicle 's cooling system as the engine bay to the overheating! From car heater not working inside, is directed either completely or partially through that heater.. Most vehicles today require a 190 to 195 degree F. thermostat motor fails to spin it. Radiator the Lisle funnel will not help have one or more `` bleeder '' valves the... Larger problem is on check between car heater not working switch which turns the fan on or off, might also the... And rear-engine systems require special filling procedures to eliminate the air coming through isn ’ t allowing the starts... Control valves are normally open unless vacuum is applied engine is cold up is not only frustrating, some... Can usually diagnose and fix the problem from reoccurring, the heater by. Some front-wheel drive and rear-engine systems require special filling procedures to eliminate the pockets. Heater hose may be the reason your car ’ s buttons, knobs, or one is! With a fresh 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water of hot coolant circulating through the element! To drip from them system is very simple and rarely goes wrong wire with the switch which turns fan... Plug the core and funneling it into the vehicle 's cooling system put, your car fan. Symptoms could be caused by several simple issues 20 ) of antifreeze water... A hot pressurized system can result in severe burns car heating system that keeps your engine cool completely,! Or running hot, the most common cause is low coolant should then be closed coolant!

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