Car heater question

[Doggiedog]

My car is at it again.

This time my heater doesn't work. It blows nothing but cold air even with the temp all the way up.

What could be causing this?

 

[Tea Bag]

replacing the thermostat would be the first (and cheapest) step.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: Tea Bag
replacing the thermostat would be the first (and cheapest) step.

I'll try that. I just had it replaced only 3 months ago though. 🙁

 

[lightpants]

What kind of car?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Yep need to know what kind of car it is...

Sounds like there's air in the heater hose/core or something, have you had anything done with your engine coolant?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Yep need to know what kind of car it is...

Sounds like there's air in the heater hose/core or something, have you had anything done with your engine coolant?

Well, try replacing hte thermostat. That's $20 and some labor on your own usuually.

If that's not the fix, it could be something more serious like the heater core which will cost alot more than $20. I'd just pay to get that fixed. Then again, dedpendnign on your vehicle, it might not be worth it.

 

[Brutuskend]

Most likely it's the cable that opens the valve from the engine block to the heater core. The thermostat would NOT cause this, if it was the thermostat, the engine would just over heat (if it wasn't opening) or have a hard time reaching operating temp. (if it was not closing). It COULD also be a plugged heater core, though this is rare.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: Tea Bag
replacing the thermostat would be the first (and cheapest) step.

I'll try that. I just had it replaced only 3 months ago though. 🙁

Yes you have air in your system. Open your rad or check your overflow and make sure it is full since you said you just replaced your thermo. If you get a air pocket in the system you wont get heat if it makes it into the core. also check for leaks that may of caused you to get a air buble as well.

 

[Doggiedog]

Its a 95 BMW 325i w/99.7K miles

This thing has literally been falling apart on me.

The ABS light is on and now the heater doesn't work.

A couple months ago, my wiper broke and I would have been able to fix it myself except that I needed to remove large portions of the engine to get at it which I couldn't do.

Just before that my radiator broke. Etc. Etc.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Its a 95 BMW 325i w/99.7K miles

This thing has literally been falling apart on me.

The ABS light is on and now the heater doesn't work.

A couple months ago, my wiper broke and I would have been able to fix it myself except that I needed to remove large portions of the engine to get at it which I couldn't do.

Just before that my radiator broke. Etc. Etc.

Just a guess, but considering that you recently had radiator work done, your heater core may be airlocked.

Suspect there's a bleeder valve somewhere on the heater system that was not opened @ the right time when your coolant was added after the radiator repairs.

If the radiator work was done by a shop, take it back & tell them your heater doesn't work, should be a free/painless fix if this is the case.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Its a 95 BMW 325i w/99.7K miles

This thing has literally been falling apart on me.

The ABS light is on and now the heater doesn't work.

A couple months ago, my wiper broke and I would have been able to fix it myself except that I needed to remove large portions of the engine to get at it which I couldn't do.

Just before that my radiator broke. Etc. Etc.

Just a guess, but considering that you recently had radiator work done, your heater core may be airlocked.

Suspect there's a bleeder valve somewhere on the heater system that was not opened @ the right time when your coolant was added after the radiator repairs.

If the radiator work was done by a shop, take it back & tell them your heater doesn't work, should be a free/painless fix if this is the case.

Thanks! I will look into it.

It just sucks that the guy who fixed my car is about 10 miles from where I live and he only works from 5-8PM.

 

[KenSr]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Most likely it's the cable that opens the valve from the engine block to the heater core. The thermostat would NOT cause this, if it was the thermostat, the engine would just over heat (if it wasn't opening) or have a hard time reaching operating temp. (if it was not closing). It COULD also be a plugged heater core, though this is rare.

Alot of cars use a vacuum operated device to open and close the above mentioned valve, you may just have a vacuum line off.

 

[jemcam]

Does this car have automatic temperature control? That is, do you have to set the temperature that you want and it maintains that temperature, or do you just have a dial that is red & blue and you just set the controls that way?

I ask because if it has automatic temp. control, it could be an electronic problem, for instance the ambient air sensor or something along those lines.

 

[Doggiedog]

Its a dial.

The AC seems to work though.