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my car will not warm up

175,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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DALLASJ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
my 1990 Grand Am is not blowing hot air out the heater. It reaches about 220 degeres, but still only cold air. I have changed the thermostat, and refilled the fluid. What could be the problem?
Jan 4, 2011 at 7:45 AM
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OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Ok, next thing to check... Locate the heater hoses in the engine compartment, they sould be going to the fire wall on the center passenger side. After warming engine to operating temp turn off car, carefully feel both hoses. Are both hot or is one hot and the other warm. If one is warm then you most likely have a clogged Heater Core and need to replace it. Or you can try Back Flushing it.

Purchase 2 pieces of heater hose about 3 foot long each, make sure same size as existing hoses. Remember which hose was warm. Connect the 2 new hoses to the heater core then connect a water hose to the side that was warm, just let the other hose hang under vehicle or stick end into bucket to see what comes out.

I would also suggest that you use a cooling system fush and flush out the system if the above is the problem.

If both hoses are hot the the most likely cause is the Blend Doors not operating properly.

.
Jan 4, 2011 at 7:58 AM
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BAOBABGIRL
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  • 8 POSTS
I had this problem with the 95 pontiac grand am .... it was the heater core that needed replacing .... for about $500 bucks .... they said it was rusted out .... but could also just bypass the heater core and connect the hoses to keep things circulating ... but then you don't have a heater or defrost ... but it's a quick fix if you also don't have the $$$$
Jan 4, 2011 at 3:48 PM
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OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,711 POSTS
[quote]I had this problem with the 95 pontiac grand am .... it was the heater core that needed replacing .... for about $500 bucks .... they said it was rusted out .... but could also just bypass the heater core and connect the hoses to keep things circulating ... but then you don't have a heater or defrost ... but it's a quick fix if you also don't have the $$$$

Response from baobabgirl [/quote]

Would be a quick fix if vehicle was overheating because of it or if heater core was leaking into passenger compartment. Since vehicle is not overheating and not leaking there is no need to bypass heater core.

.

Jan 5, 2011 at 6:10 AM
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