1997 Dodge Dakota Heater Blows Cold

heater core could be partially clogged. Do both heater hoses get hot?

This guide will help

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

What is wrong with the heater core? The coolant passes through both heater hoses. Doesn't that mean the heater core is not blocked or clogged?

Anybody else have any suggestions??????

Check out the guide below, it will help you figure this out

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

My Dakota did the same thing, they power flushed the heater core and it blows hot again..

I have a V6 engine. I cannot get the heater to blow heat. I have done all of this: New thermostat, flushed motor and core and radiator and burped system. but still cannot get heat. previous owner removed heater core hoses and not sure if they were put back in the correct position going into the core. I did try both ways but still not sure. it seems like for some reason I cannot get water to flow through the core even though I did all of the above! Any advise you could share with me will be appreciated. Thanks, Mike

Hi Mike,

When you flushed the heater core, were you able to get water to flow through it?

Here are a couple links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-heater-works

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

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When the engine is at normal operating temp and the heater is on high, do both heater core hoses get hot? If only one does, then there is most likely an issue with the core itself. If both are hot and you still have no heat, then suspect an issue with what is called a blend air door. That is in the vehicle and determines if you get heat or AC into the vehicle. If I recall, the blend air door on this vehicle is actuated by a cable, so make sure it is connected and moving when you change temp. I attached a pic of the actuator lever. Check to see if the actuator is moving the door when you go from cold air to heat. If it doesn't move, disconnect it and move the door by hand to see if it makes a difference. If you do get heat, then either the actuator cable is bad or disconnected at some point.

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Now, regardless if the blend door works, if there is no coolant flow through the heater core, it won't work. On the other hand, if the core is getting hot and the blend air door doesn't open, you will get no heat. So, do what I suggested first. Engine warmed up, heater on, check to see if both heater core hoses are hot. Do this first and let me know what you find. Also, the heater core will get hot regardless of the hose orientation. Coolant is simply flowing through a small radiator. Let me know if when you flushed it, if water was coming out as fast as you were putting it into the core. In other words, did water flow through it.

Take care,
Joe

When I check the temperature of the heater hoses with a infrared temperature gun I get around 150 coming out of the motor and then as I check where they go through the firewall both hoses only reach around 80 nowhere enough to blow heat. the most I get in the cab is around 70. so yes both hoses get hot but nowhere near what is needed for heat. All of the hoses where removed and checked and the core was flushed with good flow. I’m confused on what’s going on. I’m going to try again today, by any chance do you know what is the intake and outtake hose going through the firewall and off of the engine mine is a V6 3.9 motor? Just so you know I also burped the system and removed all of the air.

what could be the reason why myheat does'nt work.I have changed the thermostat and hoses on my '97 dodge dakota?

Heater hoses by the firewall both should be hot to touch when engine at operating temp if not heater core need to be isolated and flushed
if both hoses hot and no hot air inside suspect blend door actuator

Hi there, my dodke dakota jyst had a thermostat put in and it still blows cool air on max heat! why is this?

It is one of two things. Either the heater core is plugged or the blend door isn't working. Start the engine, let it get hot with the heater on high. Feel both heater core hoses. If both are hot, the heater core is fine and the blend door is the problem. If one side of the heater core is cool, the coolant isn't circulating through the heater core indicating it is plugged.

Check it out and let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

i have 195,000 miles i replaced my thermostat ,and the blend door seems to be fine . if my heater core gets clogged how can i tell, and would it stop me from having heat?

[quote:6119e0a88a="wolverine84"]i have 195,000 miles i replaced my thermostat ,and the blend door seems to be fine . if my heater core gets clogged how can i tell, and would it stop me from having heat?[/quote:6119e0a88a]
Hello,
Your heater core could be air locked. When did you stop having heat? Before you changed the thermostat or after? The heater core is a radiator that is in side your cab. The fan blows threw it and sends the heat through the vents. You can follow the heater core lines into the cab from the engine compartment. Check to see if they are hot or air locked. You can feel the fluid in the lines when is cold too.
Good luck
Matthew

97 dakota slt 4x4 3.9.....no heat....engine temp is good....coolant temp/level is good...heater hoses both warm when up to temp..just blows cold air...what can i check and do i have to take dash apart?

heater hoses should be HOT to touch. and no heat at all even on low fan setting?

these are common for clogged heater core. flushing both ways is fix.

The heater in my Dodge Dakota is not blowing warm air. I have flushed the core. The thermostat is working. Any idea's?
Thank you.

first right at the fire wall with the vehicle warm feel the heater core hoses, let me know if one is hot, both are hot or if one is significantly hotter then the other.

or they are both just warm. and not as hot as the lower or upper radiator hose.

Thank you for your response. The top hose is significantly hotter.

let me rephrase that, is the heater core hoses both the same temperature of the upper radiator hose or is the upper radiator hose hotter or colder.

The top hose is same temperature as the rad hose. The bottom one is cooler.
Thank you

since the intake hose on the heater core is hot and the return hose is cooler then you probably need to flush out your heater core.

That was the first thing I did.

after replacing the termostat and topping off the antifreeze , the heater barely puts out enough heat to melt the frost on the window . the temperture gauge indicates that the water is warm , but very little warm air comes in the cab . thanx for any input

Check for a clogged-up heater hoses and heater core-could also be a blend door, air mix door, or actuators in the heating system.