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HEATER NOT WORKING

Tiny
RENASPANGLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 56,000 MILES
My 2006 Chev Impala seems to only kick heat out of the heater while accelerating. If left to idle, it blows cold air. Are there any tricks to reprogram the computer to fix this or do I need to get it to a chev garage?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
If Dex-cool is on the reservoir, that is your coolant tank. And from what you say, it is low. If you want to run a little test. Bring the motor up to operating tempature. Turn the engine off and with a mirror, if you have a small one with a handle on it, look under the water pump pulley between the pulley and the engine block. The water pump will be right in the middle of the engine. There isn't much room there, but in the bottom of the water pump is what they call a "weep" hole that allows coolant to drain out if the seal goes bad. If there is coolant driping from this hole, the pump is shot.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,779 POSTS
Most common cause of this is a low coolant level. Have you checked it?

Joe
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
Any time the pressurized part of the system is opened, it needs to have the air bled out. The tech at the dealer could have done a poor job and caused the leak, or he could have mis diagnosed the source of the leak. Without being able to see it, I can't tell you for sure. I would take it back and explain the situation to the manager. Have them pressure test the system while you watch. Just remember, a pressurized system is only strongest to the weakest point.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN HO10
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
I have the same issue. Local shop changed thermostat after consulting with Chevy and seemed to work OK in the shop. Collant level looks OK.
Now 3 weeks later and $167 poorer I'm going back to shop to determine next steps.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKAL99
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks Guys

I went back to the dealer and explain what was going on. Now they say it was my water pump leaking. I can't believe by just bleeding the heat can cause a hose to leak and then a leak in my water pump.

I really think the tech at the dealer did a very poor job in trying to bleed the heat system and in return broke something in that area.

Luckily I spoke with the service manager and he was happy to fix the problem at no charge.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEFF CORNWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 43,200 MILES
What is the problem when the Heater or the Defroster does not work when the car is not moving?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
I'm glad to hear everything worked out in your favor.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
First check your level of coolant; add some Dexcool coolant if level is low, and bleed the system.

If level is good, and you have no air in the cooling system, your water pump could be going bad, or your heater core could be partially clogged.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MSDLM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 55,000 MILES
My heater won't work. If I am drving the heat will blow out just fine but if I stop at a red light the heater will just blow out cool air. As long as I am pressing the gas the heater will work. What should I do?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
-Check your level of coolant. If it's too low, add some GM dexcool coolant, and check for leaks.
-Make sure you bleed your cooling system for air.
-Check your thermostat

Other possibilities include a weak water pump and also a clogged heater core (unlikely since the car is only 3 year old and 55000 miles. But just in case).
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KATIE 1962
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
Heater problem
2006 Chevy Impala

When the car idles no heat is generated. Only when the car is moving is heat produced. What would cause this?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Low coolant level
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KATIE 1962
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you very much. I am relieved!
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CBULLARD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 87,000 MILES
The heater will only blow cold air when the car is idle. The engine temperature is normal, but the heater only becomes hot when the car is moving. When the car is moving the heater is so hot I will have to turn down the temperature. When I warm up the car in the morning or if I am stopped at the bank or in traffic the heater and the defrost will only blow cold air.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
Make sure your coolant is at proper level
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
Heater problem
2006 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Automatic 68000 miles

when I start my car in the morning, the temp. Gauge is halfway but the heater is still blowing cold air until I start driving. When I stop at a light, it's back to cold air. As long as i'm moving it's blazing. Do I just need a new heater coil? I've already blown out the coil lines.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Replace thermostat and make sure you run it long enough with cap off to expell all the air.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PERRYJ74
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
My heater will not blow hot air when the car is sitting still unless I "rev-up" the engine.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum, is it extremely cold in your region? Are talking about airflow or temp goes down at idle? Is this a recent problem? The flow through the heater core will probably slow down some at idle because the water pump slows down.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)

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