1999 Dodge Dakota how to fix heater and AC problem

CARROLLDF

MEMBER
1999 DODGE DAKOTA
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
113,567 MILES

The heater doesnt put our hot air for long time after start up and setting still it just puts out luke warm air. Going down the road it will put out fairly warm but not hot air. Ac is just the opposite it will not put out cold air setting still but once you get moving down the road it will put out fairly cold air but not real cold like it should. Have changed the thermostatic with no results. One mechanic told me to back flush heater core, Havent tried that yet because I dont think that would have anything to do with ac. Anybody got any suggestions or have had this same problem. Am open for any suggestions. Thanks Carrolldf

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Pop a cooking thermometer in one of the ac outlets and put the system on the highest heat setting once the engine is warmed up. Assuming the temperature gauge reads normal, observe the air temperature out of the duct when the fan is on low speed and again on high speed. If the temperature goes down a lot on high speed, not enough hot coolant is getting through the heater core. Your mechanic is right about back flushing it. But you are correct too that it won't affect the ac.

For the ac problem, it sounds like the typical low refrigerant problem. Under the hood, on the right inner fender is a small black canister about 3" around and 8" tall. There is a very small sight glass on top of it. Look in that sight glass when the ac is running. If you see vapor bubbles traveling through it, the system is low on charge. Most of the cooling will be taking place under the hood instead of in the dash board.

Caradiodoc