Why my heater isn't working?

Welcome to the forum, I'd have to check the blend door in picture. With the blend door in one position, ac, other position, the air has to go through the heater core.

Engine temp O.K. if not thermostat stuck open. If temp good then a blend door problem.

Here is a guide to help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

First, I need you to make sure the coolant level is full. Also, take a look through this link and see if anything helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Most often, low coolant is the issue when heat is lost. However, where the coolant went becomes the big question. Let me know if that is what happened or if there is anything else in the link that helps. Also, if the coolant is low, make sure there is no evidence that it is mixing with engine oil or oil mixing into the coolant.

I will watch for your reply.

Take care,
Joe

Welcome back.

If the coolant is full, either there is a plugged heater core or a blend air door not working under the dash. As far as the rough idle, there is a good chance it is a vacuum leak.

I have a feeling I know what may be wrong. The blend air door, which determines if you get heat, is operated by a vacuum motor. If the vacuum motor or vacuum hoses to it have been damaged or disconnected, you will not get heat. Also, it will cause a vacuum leak which will cause a rough idle. That is the first thing I suspect is the problem.

I realize you already have an appointment, but here are the directions for replacing the vacuum motor. I am attaching all the directions so you can see how to access it.

If you can before you take it in, see if you can check the aforementioned component. Here are the directions to access it. Also, pay attention if you hear a hissing or whistling sound from the dash area, which would indicate a vacuum leak. The attached pictures correlate with the directions. Also, the directions are for removing and replacing. You do not have to remove it, just see and inspect it.

_______________________________________

BLEND DOOR MOTOR
REMOVAL

1. Remove the floor duct panel.
- Remove the pushpins and release the expander clip.

2. Remove the RH instrument panel brace.
1 Remove the nut.
2 Remove the bolt.
3 Remove the brace.

3. Remove the LH instrument panel lower nut and position the brace aside.

4. Remove the three bolts and position the module aside.

5. Remove the floor duct.
1 Remove the two screws (one each side).
2 Remove the floor duct.

6. Remove the panel/floor door vacuum control motor.
1 Disconnect the vacuum line connector.
2 Remove the screws.
3 Slide the rod out of the door and remove the panel/floor door.

NOTE: Rotate the vacuum control motor to disconnect the vacuum control motor rod from the panel/floor door.

7. Remove the electronic blend door actuator.
1 Disconnect the connector.
2 Remove the screws.
3 Pull down to release the actuator shaft and remove the electronic blend door actuator.

INSTALLATION

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure

_____________________________

I would really be interested in knowing if that is the issue. Please keep in mind, even if the leak isn't at the motor, it could be one of the vacuum hoses supplying engine vacuum to the control unit. With the engine running, pay close attention to see if you hear a vacuum leak. If you locate a broken hose or one disconnected, it will save you some money, and I can help you get it back together.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,
Joe

Ha! If you can fix the toilet, you can do this.

It is under the dash and a bit of a pain to access. Mostly, the tight area makes it a pain. However, it is doable. As far as cost, not knowing where you live, my part's price may be off, but I can tell you it calls for slightly over one hour labor to replace. What the shop charges as an hourly rate plus a little. It calls for 1.1 hour.

No matter what, low coolant can cause this issue too, so make sure it is full.

Let me know if I can help.

Take care,
Joe

The vacuum motor is under the dash. See the pictures in my first post. With the engine cool, remove the radiator cap and make sure the radiator is full too.

Let me know what you find. Also, be careful on the latter. LOL I wish you were my neighbor. You seem like a lot of fun.

Take care,
Joe

Hi,

I need you to check something. When you lose heat, feel both heater core hoses to see if they are hot. If they are, the problem is on the inside. I assume you checked for vacuum leaks.

Let me know what you find when you check them. Also, I attached a picture below showing the components related to the HVAC. Let me know what you replaced and if this vehicle has manual temp control or automatic.

Here is a link that explains the most common causes of no heat conditions:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Let me know.
Joe

Wow, that is an easy fix. I am glad you found the problem. I agree that a salvage yard would be the best option. If there are any "You Pull It" type salvage yards near you, I am sure you will find many and it should be really cheap.

Regardless, we are always here. Let us know if you have questions in the future.

Take care and Happy Holidays to you, too. At least now I know they will be warm ones. Lol

Joe

Hi,

If the heater hoses were hot, that tells me coolant is flowing through the heater core. It's normal for the return to be a couple of degrees colder. If the A/C isn't getting ice cold, I feel the problem is one of the actuators in the vehicle. Think about it. If both hoses get hot, the heater core is hot. Thus, heat is in the vehicle. It just isn't getting where it needs. That is where the actuators come into play.

I realize the actuators were replaced. Are they working is the question? I also know there are a few actuators under the dash which are vacuum actuated. If there is no vacuum, the actuator won't work or will change direction when the vacuum starts to drop. For example, when you accelerate, the vacuum drops by nature. If there is a leak, it can cause issues.

As far as the plastic part, I'm not sure what he is referring to and the flywheel makes no sense to me.

Let me know. I would check the engine vacuum to see if there is a leak. Here is a link that explains how to check for a vacuum leak. See if it's something you feel comfortable doing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Let me know.
Joe