The cold season is in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere, and there’s nothing more miserable than driving in freezing weather with no heat in the car. Most of us take this critical feature for granted, but there are a lot of factors that can lead to this problem, even in modern cars. Let’s examine the potential causes for the lack of heating in your vehicle.
Photo: Photo by Charlie Gallant on Unsplash
One of the most common causes is a problem with the blower motor, which is the main component that circulates the cold or hot air through the system and into the vehicle’s cabin.
It’s basically an electric fan that is regulated by the A/C unit or climate control system settings. It also has a resistor, which is a part that controls the fan speed.
In vehicles where the resistor fails due to corrosion or overheating, the most common symptom is either loss of ventilation or the heat only works at higher fan speeds.
Sometimes, a mechanical obstruction can cause an excessive electric current that can overheat and damage the resistor. This can occur if a fan blade gets jammed by a foreign object.
Jammed blades can break and damage the motor, which can also fail; when it does, it won’t work at all, regardless of the fan speed.
If a resistor is cheap and easy to replace, the whole blower unit is a bit more expensive and time-consuming but still an easy fix, overall, in most vehicles.
Another problem that leads to the loss of heat is a faulty thermostat. This part regulates the coolant flow through the engine and assures it reaches and operates at optimum temperature.
It’s a critical part of any vehicle and if it gets stuck in an open position, it will continuously release coolant through the system and prevent the engine from warming up.
This will also affect heating and should be fixed immediately as it can damage your engine and exhaust system. You can spot a faulty thermostat if your temperature gauge does not reach optimal temperature which should be between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit (90-96 degrees Celsius). It is usually accompanied by a warning light in most vehicles.
The coolant is also important, so check the level periodically and have it replaced every two years. It eventually loses its cooling properties and can lead to damage to several system components.
Photo: Filipograf on Wikimedia Commons
The heater core is a small radiator-like device that receives hot coolant passed from the engine and generates the heat that comes through the vents. It can also clog or leak and lead to loss of heat. If you find a wet patch on the passenger-side floorboard, your heater core has failed.
The part itself is not that expensive, but to replace it in most vehicles, the whole dashboard or sections of it need to be removed. That means a few hours of labor and a hefty service bill.
To avoid getting yourself in this situation, make a habit of getting your vehicle’s cooling and heating systems checked at least once a year when you change your oil and filters or do any kind of routine maintenance to your vehicle.
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O autorovi: Vlad Radu
Vladovo první auto bylo vyrobeno na zakázku: exotika, kterou vyrobil ze dřeva, lepenky a vypůjčeného volantu v pěti letech. Spojením jeho předchozích zkušeností s psaním a roky autobazaru se jeho články do hloubky zaměřují na speciální vozy minulosti i současnosti.
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- Thread starter 91_awd_talon
- Datum zahájení 16. listopadu 2009
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91_awd_talon
Člen ve zkušební době
16 0. listopadu 12, 2009 Las Vegas, Nevada
Ok here’s the problem the car is not pushing out any heat through the vents when the heat is turned on I wanted to know what would cause this. The air that comes out is cold even when the car gets hot in the winter or while it’s cold out like now. But in the summer when the car gets to the halfway mark if you turn the heat on it comes out hot like it should I don’t understand this.
when cold out with the car warmed up no heat comes out not even if the car starts to overheat.
When hot out Heat comes out without fail.
Would the temp of the thermostat have anything to do with this?
95Eclipse
Přispěvatel starší 20 let
145 0 Oct 27, 2002 Somewhere, Arkansas
It’s wierd that in the summer it’s pushing out hor air.
You can check to see if there is coolant flow to your heater core and make sure it isn’t plugged up. or leaking.
A quick way to see if it’s flowing freely, is to take both of the hoses that are under the throttle body (the ones that go through the firewall to the heater core) and test them with some compresed air.
When both lines are disconnected blow some air into one, you should see (feel) the air/coolant flowing out the other hose.. Hope that helps.
Hodně štěstí!
fst_4g63
Přispěvatel starší 15 let
66 0 Jun 6, 2006 Saint louis, Missouri
A quick way to see if it’s flowing freely, is to take both of the hoses that are under the throttle body (the ones that go through the firewall to the heater core) and test them with some compresed air.
When both lines are disconnected blow some air into one, you should see (feel) the air/coolant flowing out the other hose.. Hope that helps.
Hodně štěstí!
Never thought of that one, I have always removed the heater core lines and put a hose to them. Also, check your coolant level.
91_awd_talon
Člen ve zkušební době
16 0. listopadu 12, 2009 Las Vegas, Nevada
It’s wierd that in the summer it’s pushing out hor air.
You can check to see if there is coolant flow to your heater core and make sure it isn’t plugged up. or leaking.
A quick way to see if it’s flowing freely, is to take both of the hoses that are under the throttle body (the ones that go through the firewall to the heater core) and test them with some compresed air.
When both lines are disconnected blow some air into one, you should see (feel) the air/coolant flowing out the other hose.. Hope that helps.
Hodně štěstí!
Why would it clog in the cold but not the hot? it doesn’t make sense I know it’s not leaking because coolant levels are good.
Never thought of that one, I have always removed the heater core lines and put a hose to them. Also, check your coolant level.
As stated above the level is good.
Dert
Přispěvatel starší 15 let
918 10 Mar 8, 2008 Lethbridge, AB_Canada
I had same issue with my car last winter here in Canada, turns out thermostat was stuck open, got a new one for like $15 and problem is gone, the return of glorious heat!
———-Gary, a proud owner of 97 GS-T
kneipperk
Přispěvatel starší 10 let
214 1 Oct 25, 2009 aurora, Colorado
thermostat went out on my 97 eclipse, it blew cold air no matter how warm the car was, only a few dollars so it was well worth replacing it
dannyd97gst
Přispěvatel starší 15 let
306 1 Mar 9, 2007 DURHAM, North_Carolina
Wait a minute, your car is overheating too? I would start diagnosing that problem first, maybe related and may not be related.
If you suspect the heater core is an issue you can use a laser thermometer to check the temerature of the 2 heater core hoses. If 1 is much colder than the other that is definately a problem.
91_awd_talon
Člen ve zkušební době
16 0. listopadu 12, 2009 Las Vegas, Nevada
Wait a minute, your car is overheating too? I would start diagnosing that problem first, maybe related and may not be related.
If you suspect the heater core is an issue you can use a laser thermometer to check the temerature of the 2 heater core hoses. If 1 is much colder than the other that is definately a problem.
No it doesn’t over heat I misworded it I’m saying if the guage goes past the halfway mark there is still no heat in the cold. but in the summer when the guage is in the middle where it should be there is heat.
I had same issue with my car last winter here in Canada, turns out thermostat was stuck open, got a new one for like $15 and problem is gone, the return of glorious heat!
thermostat went out on my 97 eclipse, it blew cold air no matter how warm the car was, only a few dollars so it was well worth replacing it
and I was also thinking thremostat as well I will replace that and see if that’s the problem
dannyd97gst
Přispěvatel starší 15 let
306 1 Mar 9, 2007 DURHAM, North_Carolina
Idk maybe we need some wisemen on this matter. It is my understanding that if a t-stat is stuck open then the engine will take forever to get to operating temp. Example is my 93 sundance blew a headgasket and while waiting on parts I removed the t-stat to keep the engine from over heating. I drove 38 miles to work everday and the engine never got warm, I mean never ever.
crash89
Přispěvatel starší 15 let
3,537 180 Mar 5, 2008 Punta Gorda, Florida
CHECK YOUR COOLANT LEVEL!! If your cars at operating temps but not getting hot or even warm air through the vents you could be very low on coolant. Your heater fan uses the heat from the coolant to blow hot air into the passenger compartment..
Tomáš
99 AWD spyder 473/464 (sold)
RWD 4g63 VW Bug
MidShipCivic
Přispěvatel starší 15 let
717 8 Apr 22, 2005 Orlando, Florida
Your switch on the climate control pulls a valve open to allow hot engine coolant to go through the core be sure the cable is actually pulling on the valve you must take the radio out though to see the cable though. Now if that’s not working it may be an issue with the valve or clogged some how.
91_awd_talon
Člen ve zkušební době
16 0. listopadu 12, 2009 Las Vegas, Nevada
CHECK YOUR COOLANT LEVEL!! If your cars at operating temps but not getting hot or even warm air through the vents you could be very low on coolant. Your heater fan uses the heat from the coolant to blow hot air into the passenger compartment..
Once again I have checked it 2-3 times the level is fine and is not the issue.
Your switch on the climate control pulls a valve open to allow hot engine coolant to go through the core be sure the cable is actually pulling on the valve you must take the radio out though to see the cable though. Now if that’s not working it may be an issue with the valve or clogged some how.
But that wouldn’t explain why I get heat in the summer.
MidShipCivic
Přispěvatel starší 15 let
717 8 Apr 22, 2005 Orlando, Florida
But that wouldn’t explain why I get heat in the summer.
You gonna sit around a speculate or go and check things out? It’s not hurting me.
91_awd_talon
Člen ve zkušební době
16 0. listopadu 12, 2009 Las Vegas, Nevada
I am «checking things out» just saying it doesn’t make sense
AllWheelRS
Přispěvatel starší 10 let
134 2 Oct 17, 2009 Orange County, New_York
Your switch on the climate control pulls a valve open to allow hot engine coolant to go through the core be sure the cable is actually pulling on the valve you must take the radio out though to see the cable though. Now if that’s not working it may be an issue with the valve or clogged some how.
Start there, it’s an easy test, and doesn’t cost you anything unless it turns out to be the source of your problem.
12’s by 12/12/2012
southrneclipser
Přispěvatel starší 10 let
214 2 Jul 30, 2009 horn lake, Mississippi
Maybe when you turn your heat on, the car is just pulling in ambient air. Thats wy its hot in summer and cold in winter. I would think this is because you are not getting suffient coolant flow through the heater core. You should check to see if its clogged or leaking. However it could still be that your thermostat is stuck open which isn’t allowing any pressure to build up in the coolant system. No pressure= no heat. If its not your heater core and not the thermostat try burping the coolant system. There are a few different ways to do this but the way that works best for me is to take off the radiator cap and let the car get to opperating tempurate. This will get all of the bubbles out. I know you said your coolant level is full but there could still be bubbles. So try all of those and get back to us. Good luck
