Heater core replacement

Here's the skinny on replacing the core. Heater or ac, same procedure. I just did one.
Disconnect the battery negative cable.
Pull off the plastic dashcover.
Do not take all those screws around the opening out.
The instrument panel can stay.
Remove the plastic lower and center dash covers.
Look right under the steering column at the little black cable and the white thumb adjuster. That cable operates the gear indicator, unhook it from the column or you will break it. They're fun to fix too.
Take the drivers seat out and sit it back a few inches, seriously, the steering wheel will go all the way to the floor but te seat makes it really tight, best to sit the seat back.
Take the two bolts out of the center dash mounting bracket, leave the othe three. 10mm
Disconnect the dash main harness and the little one beside it also.
Look under the dash and see if any wires have been plastic tied. You might want to cut them loose or they can get pulled loose. You decide.
Take the two bottom dash mounting bolts completely out of the sliding thing, dont just loosen them.
Take the four nuts off of the steering column and lower it down. Sit the dash over the center bracket and lay it back. Taking loose another wire plug behind the dash.
Take the flexible hose loose at the heater box. Take the heater cable off at the box and the vacuum lines apart at the connection. Go under the hood.
If equipped with air conditioning, recover the refrigerant.
Disconnect the accumulator inlet tubes.
Drain the cooling system.
Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core tubes.
Remove the four nuts from the heater-A/C mounting studs on the engine compartment side. Hint, one is hid behind the trans fill tube and another one is behind the plastic thing holding the heater hose. Another Hint, you will need a swivel head ratchething wrench 7/16 or 11mm, not a ratchett and socket combo, oh no.
Find the vacuum line going inside by the coolant hoses, and disconnect it.
Go back inside on passenger side.
Remove the mounting brace that secure the heater-A/C housing to dash board.
Pull the housing rearward far enough for the mounting studs and evaporator condensate drain tube to clear the dash panel holes.
Rotate the box and remove it from the vehicle. Some take them out under the dash, i came out the top, rotating the box clockwise coming up and out.
Take the little nut and arm off the flapper. You can leave the push nut alone, but take it off if you can, its easier to put back together. Unplug the vacuum lines from the servos. Be very carefull prying up on the cover, it's very brittle.

Lift the heater core out of the housing.
Installation is the reverse of removal.
Any questions, i'll try.

wigtail@hotmail.com

I had to abandon the attempt to do at a later date.

I put what I believe to be the dash and all electrical connectors back.

(I left some trim pieces off)

The electric is definately on. The dash, lights, airbag, etc. All come on.

However, when I turn the key, I have a clicking sound.

Any ideas?

I went back out to check the rotation, and it fired right up. Thanks for the quick response.

How do I replace the heater core

I have begun to remove the dash and the heater core hoses but cannot seem to get to the heater core because it is in a black case that also is connected to the AC. Do I have to disconnect the AC to get the houseing that the heater core is in. And take it completly out of the dash to replace the heater core?

I am try to replace the heater core in my 2000 dodge dakota I have just about all of the stuff unhook, I have found 3 of the nuts on the outside fire wall I can not fine the 4th one, I found the one behind the transfill tube also the one behind the plastic clip holding the hose also the one buy the heater core outlet tubes. I am also have trouble disconnect the accumulator inlet tubes. I can not get them to come lose. Is there a tool I have to have to get them lose. Thanks for any help john morgan

To BMRFIXIT, the info you sent me was very helpful I want to thank.I hope I don't run into anymore promble thank you again john

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Hi, a co-worker of mine has a 2000 dodge dakota 3.9 litre engine, the engine will not warm up or blow heat, the guage just moves off the first line, he has replaced 3 thermostat's a new heater core and just recently a new water pump, other than using c4 to finish the job, what do you think could be the problem, thx Greg

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