Question about my Car Heating

[nboy22]

I've got a 2002 Dodge Stratus, yes that right, "I DRIVE A DODGE STRATUS" for all you Will Ferrel fans out there... Anyways, my car does not heat worth sh!t... the only way I can get it heated is to rev the engine in neutral or drive fast to rev the engine. What should I check, are there any fluids I could be low on or what other parts could be the culprit here? When I stop at a light my car just blows cold air until a few seconds after I start driving again and I I don't know much about car mechanics! Any help appreciated! Thanks!

 

[woowoo]

Sounds like a stuck thermostat

Edit: Stuck open that is....

 

[Heisenberg]

You mean the heater doesn't throw hot air or the engine itself never warms up?

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: woowoo
Sounds like a stuck thermostat

Edit: Stuck open that is....

yup.. had the same problem in my old LeBaron.. your car is likely putting out a soft code for "engine running too cool" ... turn key on/off 3 times and back on (leave there) for a list of codes, if any... that could help.

 

[nboy22]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
You mean the heater doesn't throw hot air or the engine itself never warms up?

The only time the heater blows hot/warm air is when I've got the engine revved up a good deal, like when I'm in a fast-food drive thru I have to put it in neutral and rev the engine up if I don't want to freeze my balls off, every time I'm stopped it just starts blowing cold air after a few seconds. 🙁 The engine does warm up, but It doesn't seem to matter a great deal cause every time I'm stopped regardless of it being warm or not, it just blows cold air!

 

[Heisenberg]

If the engine is fully warmed up but the heater is still throwing cold air, then the coolant level is probably low or the heater core could be clogged.

 

[nboy22]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
If the engine is fully warmed up but the heater is still throwing cold air, then the coolant level is probably low or the heater core could be clogged.

I'll probably check my coolant level and see if that's alright later tonight, I just want to get this fixed! It would be nice!

 

[Heisenberg]

Make sure you check the level in the overflow bottle after the car has fully warmed up.

 

[nboy22]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Make sure you check the level in the overflow bottle after the car has fully warmed up.

Thanks for all the help, I'm gonna get to the bottom of this!