Heater not working can we fix it?

Hello and thanks for using 2CarPros.

There are potentially two things that can cause this to happen. The first is that the thermostat, which regulates coolant flow and keeps it from flowing until the engine has warmed up, is stuck in the open position. This would mean that the coolant is constantly flowing at full speed, and keeping the engine from ever getting warmed up. Since your heat is directly derived from the temperature of the coolant, the heat will not get warm either.

The way that your heat works is that coolant flows through a miniature radiator (called a heater core) and the blower blows air through the core, thus warming the air up before it comes out through the vents.

The other possibility, less likely, is that your car is really low on coolant and is just getting enough to keep the engine cool enough. The coolant isn't really reaching the coolant temperature sensor though, so it produces a "cold" signal. Not enough coolant in the system would also affect your heat. Again, this is unlikely because your engine should be overheating, unless you're only running it for a few minutes.

Check your coolant level. It only takes a few seconds. Then, if it's full or even just not horribly low, replace the thermostat. Simply open the hood and take the radiator cap off when the engine is cold (and hasn't run for a couple of hours). If you can see the coolant level in there, then you should be good. If not, add some until it is full, and recheck it after driving a while.

I'm including instructions on replacing the thermostat in the images below and in a general guide.

How a thermostat works: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-engine-thermostat-works

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

Let me know what you find and we'll go from there.

- Harry

Temperature is about right for your car, so it's not overheating. The blend door is on heater unit it's on the passenger side and you'll have to remove a trim panel to access. Try pulling the hvac fuse in car first for 60 seconds it may reset. Then see if it gets power.

I want you to bring the engine to operating temperature. Feel both the inlet and outlet hose for the heater core. They both should be hot. Then hold the rpm 1500-2000. Do you get better heat? Higher rpm means higher flow rate and may heat the portion of the core that is not plugged.

There are two common problems with these cars.

First the heater cores are apt to plug up. Having clean water come out when backflushing is a surprise, but flow may still not be what it should be. That is a larger volume of coolant is not going through as it should.

This was a shot of a plugged core after it dried.

Sludge build up in a radiator.

One option to try is to warm up engine then disconnect heater hoses,turned them up and filled core with radiator flush (or muriatic acid-about a 10% solution), left sit a couple hours and then flush again, pull bypass hose and blocked off with a couple rubber caps or however you choose. If both hoses were hot as mentioned in the beginning, then I would expect the heater core should be in an acceptable condition to provide heat.

The second common problem is worn impellers on the waterpump. They erode enough that the coolant circulate not quite well enough to provide heat.

"See Honey.I told you I had it under control! LMAO!
Congrats!

Hello,

There is no heater control valve for the heater hoses that is a temperature blend door actuator that goes out. Here is a guide to give you an idea of what you are in for when doing the job.

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

Here is a guide that can help as well.

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

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

This is your problem

sorry i had no idea it a manual system and not the auto

if you see that the actuator is moving when heat selected and return when cold selected remove blend door actuator and check make sure that the door is moving

this is how to do it
Removal & Installation
Disconnect negative battery cable.
Remove right lower console trim panel from instrument panel.
If equipped with center console, remove right, front side panel from console.
Disconnect A/C electronic blend door actuator connector from actuator.
Remove 4 screws retaining A/C electronic blend door actuator to heater/evaporator housing.
Remove A/C electronic blend door actuator.
To install, reverse removal procedure.

Hi,

The vehicle has an engine vacuum controlled mode door actuator. That is the actuator that directs airflow. Now the interesting thing is there is one for defrost and a different one for panel and floor airflow. That leads me to believe there is a vacuum leak.

With the engine running, listen closely for any hissing sounds coming from under the dash. That could indicate a leak.

Next, I attached a pic below showing the defroster vacuum motor. Check the hose going to it to see if it is dry rotted, damaged, or loose.

Also, I'm including directions to replace the panel/floor actuator. This is to help you locate it.

_____________________________________

2000 Ford Taurus V6-3.0L VIN U
Panel, Floor Console Door Actuator
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Air Door Actuator / Motor Service and Repair Procedures Air Door Actuator / Motor, HVAC Panel, Floor Console Door Actuator
PANEL, FLOOR CONSOLE DOOR ACTUATOR
REMOVAL
1. Remove the floor console. Refer to Console.

Pic 2

2. Remove the right-side instrument panel insulator.

Pic 3

3. Working the passenger footwell, remove the floor console register duct vacuum control motor.
1. Disconnect the vacuum hose.
2. Remove the screws.

Pic 4

4. Rotate and remove the vacuum control motor from the floor console register duct door.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to bend any part of the floor console register duct door lever.

INSTALLATION
1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

_____________________________________

As I mentioned. Since you have two actuators having trouble, it sounds like a leak and not one of the actuators. If you check the two things I suggested, start the engine and move the hoses around to see if you can hear a leak.

___________________________________

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care and God Bless,

Joe

This sounds like you have low engine coolant or the temperature blend door actuator stopped working but to but sure this video and guide can help us fix it.

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.

Hi,

Thanks for the update. Absolutely, low coolant will cause the problem. Make sure there are no leaks after you drive it for a bit.

Let us know if we can help.

Joe