Van Heater Problem

Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 GMC SAVANA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
Heater high speed won't work in the cold on my 2003 GMC SAVANA 2500
In the warm of summer it works fine
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 6:52 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Have you checked the resister and relay?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-2
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
Are you saying when you turn the blower speed to "high", the blower doesn't come on or there's no hot air.

I'll need to know this to narrow down your issue.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
When I turn on the heater switch all the speeds work but the "High Speed", the last position. The heat is o.K. But here in Canada I need the "High Speed" in winter when it is up to 40 degrees below.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
B.T.W. I should thank you for you quick reply Ernest.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Have we lost contact, or do you need more time for the answer?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
If there is a problem with my
donation" then say so. I have sent you two more replies which you have ignored thus far and I am not impressed. That is exactly why I only "donated" $10 thus far. If you come up with a qualified answer I am more than willing to pay you for what your answer is worth.
I do not want to have to fix this problem myself, as I am too old. But I want a qualified opinion to know what to expect when I go to a repair shop.

The air-conditioning compressor is not working anymore on this van but the heater worked good until last winter (2009) when it all of a sudden quit working on the "high", or last position of the switch.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
Not sure who you've been talking to, but your donations are voluntary and you can get a response for free. But you'll have to wait until a technician has time to respond.

As for your issue, each speed of your blower is controlled by a resistor. Each resistor is housed inside of a resistor pack. You'll need to replace the entire resistor pack to get it right.

As for your A/C compressor, make sure it's topped up with R134a. If the level drops below a curtain point, it won't come on. If it gets low again, you probably have a leak.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi Ernest,
I had been corresponding with you and all of a sudden I did not get any response which I did note to you and did again get no response. This is somewhat disconcerting because I don't know if you are still "there". But as I mentioned, I am willing to pay you for a good answer and thus I beleive you deserve a $%25.00 donation.

I know what you are talking about and it is exactly the same problem I had with a 95 Dodge full size van about 10 years back.

How can I go about it to make this donation?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 8:33 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Hi:
I started answering the question, then Ernest added to. We have reciently updated our web page which has caused a few problems with us receiving replys from customers. We are sorry for the problems. However, like Ernest mentioned, even when it is working properly, it isn't like using an instant messanger. Again, sorry about the problems, and yes to the resister being the potential problem.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
THIS IS MIKE
  • MECHANIC
  • 686 POSTS
We appreciate your donation, we try our best to respond within 24 hours. We receive hundreds of questions everyday and treat them all as if it was our own car. We don't rush to give answers, we research the symptoms and carefully respond so our members can save money on their car repair problems. There are plenty of people that will suggest you throw parts at something and hope it is going to fix it. We don't sell parts, we give non biased advice. Good dialog between our expert and vehicle owner is how we are able to pinpoint the best course of action to getting you back on the road. Please continue to work with our experts as they try to help you and many others at the same time. Your donation and patience is appreciated.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 9:51 PM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Thank you both, Jacob and Ernest. I don't know how you 2CarPros Mike got involved into this? But back to Jacob and Ernest - I do apreciate both of your answers which were bang on, as I said, since I had a similar problem with my 85 Dodge full sized Van about 10 years ago. I have seen your sincerity and would like to know how I can support your efforts through another donation? And are you getting some of this money, or is most of it going to 2CarPros? Please inform me so I can make this donation through PayPal.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 11:00 PM
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
This is Ernest.

Your donation is always appreciated. As for payment, we do indeed get paid for the work we do, but as I said previously, you would get the same level of service from us all, as we enjoy what we do.

They recently changed up this web site, so I'm not exactly sure how the donations are made. But I believe you can just call in and someone will help you.

And don't forget, if there's ever anything I can help you with, don't hesitate to ask. There's many certified technicians waiting to help.

P.S.
Mike is my immediate boss and the one who welcomed me to 2carpros. Com.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 11:11 PM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Thanks Ernest! I appreciate your honesty. I will try to make another donation, particularly to you.
It would be nice if there would be more explanation from the beginning to the fact that there can be interruptions to the service due to the fact of you guys being very busy, or that two reps could interfere with their answers and give the system too much to route properly. Sitting on this (my) end, it did look like you did not answer anymore because I did get one answer (per donation) and thus I tried to get your attention three times without success. I see now that I was wrong and apologize from my heart.
Certainly I understand that you guys are very busy and you have no time to analyze everyone’s wants every time. This is the unfortunate part of today’s society and it makes these things so frustrating and sometimes difficult to understand for someone born during the Second World War. But there is no point to go on here because I would think it to be very difficult for you to understand the sentiments of a person like me.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 11:34 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Hay, this is Jacobandniclolas. Sorry about all the confusion. As mentioned, there are a few bugs to work out yet. Regardless, I am glad you got the problem fixed, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 21st, 2010 AT 3:15 AM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Not a problem; I am impressed with the way you guys worked this out and wanted to make another contribution but nobody seems to be interested to tell me how to go about it.
When I really think back to my younger days, I knew about this problem all along. I had the same problem with my Dodge Van in the 90's.
But anyway, now I know what to expect from a repair shop and I will see if they are honest since I know the part costs about $50-$60 and then there is labour. Thus it should not be over $200 in the end.
And thanks for your concern.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 21st, 2010 AT 3:41 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Honestly, there is no need to make an additional contribution. We are glad that you are happy with your responses. All we ask is that you come back in the future if you need help. And, more than anything, spread the word that we are here. Again, thanks for coming to us for help, and we look forward to helping you again in the future.

Have a great weekend,
Joe AKA (jacobandnickolas) my kids names.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 21st, 2010 AT 4:12 AM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hey Joe and I guess I should include Ernest too,
This has been the best experience I have had on the internet. The last time I needed information on my Nordyne Downflow Furnace, paid again $10 for starters and got nothing but a generic answer to my question. The worst is that I started out at the manufacturer’s website, thinking that I was talking to the manufacturer. Then got an email back asking me if I wanted do know more about my GMC, at which point I realized that I wasn't talking to the manufacturer anymore. You can imagine my outrage. Needless to say: I got my money back and raised a hell of a stink. And to make this even more awkward, I am a Boiler Operator by trade!
Anyway, you can be sure that I will mention the quality of 2CarPros to my acquaintances.
For now I wish you a very merry Christmas (ours has already arrived; it’s snowing and 0 degrees) and a very happy New Year.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 21st, 2010 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Oh my God! Snow already! I live in PA. We've been below freezing, but nothing near 0 and thank god, no snow. I'm sure it is coming.

Take care, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 AT 1:39 AM
Tiny
GANCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Thanks Joe,

All the Best!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 AT 2:23 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links