My car heater is not working why?

Tiny
DVAUGHN1
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 FORD TAURUS
Today I noticed that when I turn the heat on but it is still cold why?
Sunday, January 4th, 2015 AT 6:04 PM

38 Replies

Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
It sounds like you may have the temperature blend door actuator stopped working but to but sure this video and guide can help us fix it. Check out the diagrams (Below).

https://youtu.be/SNRb6pSwYuU

and if the temperature blend door needs replacement here is a guide that can help with diagrams below to show you on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

This guide can help as well

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

Check out the diagrams (Below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Sunday, January 4th, 2015 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
KIMBILLINGSLYDEFFENBAUGH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 FORD TAURUS
  • 150,000 MILES
When I try to run the heat all I can get is cold air and I notice my A/C compressor will be running and then back off for a few minutes and back on. I have all ready replaced the A/C and heater control switch, and thermostat, still no heat and the A/C is still circulating on and off.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like the temperature blend door actuator is not working but to be sure this guide can help us find the problem.

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

Here are the blend door actuator location so you can see how the system works. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AMBER REED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 FORD TAURUS
  • 0.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
My heat will only work when I have the rpm's past 2-3. I do not know what to do about it. But it is getting cold and I need suggestions ASAP. It did not do this last year. Thanks in advance.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

I have a feeling you are low on coolant. Check that first. Here is a link that shows how to check and repair heater issues. Look through it and let me know if it helps.

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

Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY422
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2006 FORD TAURUS
Heater stopped heating now blows cold air?
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It sounds like you have a temperature blend door actuator that is not working but to be sure here is a guide to help us run down the problem.

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

Please run down this guide and report back. I need the blend door actuator location please I think you are correct.Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY422
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Replaced it works great! Cost $87.00
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TED HALL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
The heat is not comming on when I turn the heat control knob it does not do anything.I, m trying to change the actuator but I don, t know where to look. I would appreciate any help you can give me, it, s cold here.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
First try removing fuse for hvac sometimes the actuator will reset otherwise see if the blend door actuator is getting power and working. It may be a busted door or shaft as well. If you remove the actuator, you can manually move the door to see if it is ok, sometimes there were issues with the door itself

See diagram below for actuator location
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COUCH BRAD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD TAURUS
  • 120,000 MILES
Car does not overheat, but no heat from heater, defrost, etc. Have put new thermostat it does not help.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

When you look under the hood, are the heater hoses hot at the firewall?

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

Can you hear the mode door move when you command heat and cool?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-heater-core.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-heater-core

Roy

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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COUCH BRAD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The water is warm and yes I can see the mode door move.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, then it sounds like you have a clogged heater core.

I would remove the hoses from the firewall and use a garden hose to flush the heater core. Run the hose back and forth several times until you get a good even flow with no dirt or debris coming out.

If that does not work then you will need a heater core.

Roy
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COUCH BRAD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
That worked, thank you
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 357 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,700 MILES
I am back again with another (SE model) issue. My car has never had heat since I bought it in June of last year. For some reason, I finally started looking into, I did some research and found that the heater cores in in these cars were prone to clogs or fails. I performed a complete coolant flush of my car, put in new antifreeze and distilled water, cleaned it out with radiator flush and all that good stuff. After that, I did a heater core flush. Placed a vinyl clear tubing into the heater core tubes, pumped water from the garden hose, a crap load of murky, brown water started flowing until I finally got clear water running through. I have a new blend door actuator, I have looked down there and see the lever moving and I hear it as well, no vacuum hose leaks or anything like that. I still have no heat. I turn the temperature knobs in every setting, heat all the way, I get cool air. What is going on?
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
When the engine is hot and running grasp each heater hose to see if they are both hot coming out of the fire wall.

Here is a guide that will help as well:

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

Please run this test and get back to us.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 357 POSTS
Both are fairly warm. I do not really notice much of a difference between either.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 357 POSTS
This was after I had turned off the car and let it sit for a few minutes.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
It sounds like you have a thermostat that is out not getting the engine hot enough which will make the heater not work. I would change out the thermostat and retry the problem. Here is a guide that will give you an idea on how to do it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see if that was it.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)

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