My heater is not working?

Tiny
CNYAAV
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 18,000 MILES
No heat, new thomatsat, new heat core? What could my problem be?
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 AT 1:11 AM

51 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Do the heater hoses get hot? It sounds like a blend door is not working but to be sure lets run down this guide which will help us pinpoint the problem.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
CHRISSYD52
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
A few days ago I was driving the van, I live in the north so its been anywhere from -25c to -37c. The heater was working fine than it started to blow cold air. It went from switching back and forth from cold to hot, no its blowing cold air 90% of the time. The engine is not over heating at all. The coolant levels are fine. What are some possibilities?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check thermostat at 1st and replace if needed

open hood and check coolant in the radiator when engine is cool
open radiator cap and check coolant start engine and check if low add as needed and check for leaks

start and warm engine
locate heater hoses by the firewall and check if both hot and if so and have no heat
suspect blend door issue in the HVAC

my 1st suspicion would be low on coolant and would recheck the level in the radiator
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NKEEFE2000
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I recently changed the radiator in my 97 Grand Caravan. Everything ran fine for a couple of weeks and then I started having a problem with engine temp running high and the heater putting out cold air. The only time the heater puts out warm air is when the engine temp climbs near the overheat mark. I changed the thermostat and the radiator cap. What are the next steps to figure this out?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Recheck the thermostat and check for heater core blockage and if it has a heater control valve check that too-could also be a air mix/blend/mode door problems to include vacuum devices/actuators
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WISCMRE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
WHy can't I get heat? I have changed the thermostat and had the heater core flushed. Still nothing but cold air. Pleanty of antifreez also.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
Hello, I'm not sure why it only blows cold air. The blower motor is blowing fine in all speeds, right? Did the heater work ok? And all of a sudden quit? Do you have front and rear heat/ac or just front? And do the control for temp. Feel ok? See if you can feel the heater hoses going into the interior from inside the engine compartment for heat? Ok, you have a 3.3L there may be a problem with the door actuator if heat is available at both hoses. Is it a 3.0L?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WISCMRE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
WHY
I've done everything! Thermostate, flushed the heater core, NOW WHAT?

Updated 1/13/10

I have hot hoses, but still no heat.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
The hoses come out of the engine, if they have no heat, the interior won't either. If the thermostat was replaced for a no heat condition its best to make sure these hoses are getting hot, the water pump may not be circulating any hot coolant. Bring it back. The core inside, the control door, there's more to the climate control, it may be this, ok? With 180,000 it may be the engine letting air enter the system also, after replacing the thermostat, testing for heat is the first step, checking the heater hoses and controls is next.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SIRBOOTZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
On the fire wall behind the alternator is a wire plugged into a resistor($40.00), Disconnect it, pulls right out. And new one slides right in, if you catch it in time you wont burn out your blower motor.
*****Make sure to disconnect battery terminal first.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-2
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 200,000 MILES
1996 heat on passergers side cold driverside luke warm on driverside, new stat, checked heater hoses both hot check mixing door.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
If both heater core hoses are hot, then the heater core is hot too. That leaves the blend door (mixing door). Something isn't working right with them. Check that again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
INDIANAJ69
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My fiance has a grand caravan that works fine for a while, runnibg and with heat, then for no apparent reason, there is no heat, and it starts to leak, looks like from the overflow, but can't get it to do it for me. It only leaks when the heater starts blowing cold air. Would flushing the cooling system be worth it, as I've replaced the thermostat and rad cap. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the radiator if its clogged-up and water pump functioning properly
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DJBUNDY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 180,000 MILES
Last fall I flushed the radiater, running the water for about an hour, using a bottle of the radiater flush. I got a little bit of heat but in the morning It wouldn't even get slightly warm no matter how far I drove but in the afternoon it would be warm. For about a year now I have had only fan, no heat. My air conditioner when it run, it hums. I have only over heated twice but not bad, I stopped immediately. I have repaced the thermostat and I believe the heater core. The radiater soes have rust build-up, the hoses see, fine. I have a 18 year old son that does try to help but for the most part I try to get the job done myself. My ex is a mechanic but most of the time he has too much to say lol. Thank you Debbie sorry I wish I had $ to donate but right now I am living on 130 a week so I truly appreciate any help you can give to me. I can offer answers of other sort in return?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
If I understand correctly, the temperature gauge will read in the "normal" range, you slide the temperature lever to "hot", but you still get cool air. If that's correct, there was a common problem caused by rust buildup on the pivot for the temperature blend door. The door sticks in one position, but the temperature slide **** appears to be working. In fact it is not. The cable attaches to the door's lever through a three-fingered clip. That is the self-adjusting feature, but when the door binds, the cable just slides through that clip and doesn't move the door. The clue is you won't hear the nice "thump" when you move the lever fully one way or the other. Another clue is the two heater hoses going to the heater core will be hot. If that sounds like what you have, I can describe the repair procedure. You'll need a rag, a can of spray oil with a stem, (Chrysler's "Rust Penetrant" is recommended), a can of "Spray White Lube", (also from Chrysler), and a drill and about a 1/8" drill bit.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ALLDT01
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 DODGE CARAVAN
Heater problem
1995 Dodge Caravan Front Wheel Drive Automatic 160000 miles

Hi,

The heater blows when you turn all the switches to heat, but no hot air ever comes out. The car never overheats, but the temp guage does go to a normal level. I have watched the water in the radiator to make sure that it was flowing.

Do not know what else to look at.

Tamra
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Tamra, Make sure both heater core hoses are getting hot with the heater on and the engine running at operating temp. If one is cooler than the other, there is a good chance the core is plugged and may need flushed or replaced.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AMANDAGARCIA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 DODGE CARAVAN
Heater problem
1994 Dodge Caravan 4 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 175000 miles

It is the middle on winter in Michigan and the heat in my ma's van is out. I would like to fix it myself but I am not sure where to begin. Do you have any suggestions on where to look and what to check/change. I am hoping it is something simple.

Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Is it blowing cold air or no air blowing
at all
let me know
cool air :check coolant level and or
check / replace thermostat
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:44 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links