2001 Saturn L200 Heat isn't working

DEANWILLIAMS

MEMBER
2001 SATURN L200
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
95,000 MILES

My heater is blowing luke warm air. The heater core was recently changed and when the car is warmed up the heater core along with both hoses are hot. Does the Saturn have something on the dash to control air flow into or out of the heater core or does the saturn use some other method of controlling the heat? What should I check to find what the problem is?

6 Replies

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

Did you have the heater core changed for this reason? If not why was it changed?

When it blows luke warm are both of the heater hoses still very hot or one is one not or both not?

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Monday, December 8th, 2008 AT 10:05 PM

DEANWILLIAMS

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6 POSTS

The heater core was changed because I thought it was leaking, but it turned out just to be a bad o-ring on one of the hoses.

Both of the heater hoses feel very hot.

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Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 AT 8:29 AM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

Was the heater working fine before the core was changed?

If so, I have attached a couple of pics for you. . ..you see the heater core in the first pic. The red arrow also shows #2, the temperature cable and lever that sits right on it.

My first thought if it was working prior to the core change is this is either not hooked up or not adjusted properly.

My second pic show the entire system. . ..again, you have the heater core right there #4 when removed, the #2 temperature cable is right there and looks like it connects on to the corner.

They may not have adjusted it on installation. . ...I have attached that also.

Place temperature control knob in full cold position.
Rotate temperature door lever fully forward and press cable housing into retaining clip.
Cycle control head temperature lever from full cold to full hot to verify proper operation.
Install R/H console closeout panel.

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Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 AT 7:04 PM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Oh. . .. . .forgot to attach. . .. . .. . .. . ..

Looks like you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.

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Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 AT 7:26 PM

DEANWILLIAMS

MEMBER
6 POSTS

I think the issue may be with the temperature cable. I adjusted it as it says and it didn't seem to help. The control knob doesn't move the temperature door lever from full cold to full hot. It goes from full cold to partial hot. If I manually open the temperature door by turning the lever by hand then the heat works great.

Would this mean the temperature control cable is bad or is there something else that would effect this?

Also, when I have the temperature control set to full hot and then shut the car off the lever drops to the full cold position and when I restart the car it stays in the full cold position until I move the control knob from the full hot to the full cold and back to the full hot.