No heat

Tiny
STEVENPOHL
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
My car did not generate heat when it got below a certain temperature in the winter. In 2012 I had the thermostat changed. This was at the end of winter, so there wasn't anything to notice. This year, my car didn't put out any more heat. I brought it into the shop and had the entire heating system (radiator, heating element) flushed out. No heat. Is there something I'm missing?
Tuesday, December 10th, 2013 AT 11:44 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Hello,

This happens when the heater core becomes plugged. I would remove the heater hoses and hit it with a garden hose to blow the crud out of it. Here is a guide that can help as well.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Tuesday, December 10th, 2013 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
SHANNON_PRIV
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
You guys nailed it the core was plugged but not anymore I get all the the heat I need. I love this site :)
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
J_PEARY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
I have a question I have no heat in my car not sure what I can do to try to fix it my self I have a little heat come through the vent but it is like the cool fan has quite and also my defroster has quite or isn't work what c
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Does the engine warm up to normal operating temp? With the engine warm, the heater on, feel both heater core hoses under the hood. Are both hot?
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MLANDA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
No hot water running out of the heater core. I have no heat!
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Sounds like the heater core is clogged-up.
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 200 MILES
The subaru legacy outback is not circulating coolant and has no heat. I have replaced the thermostat and there is still no heat and no water flowing. What else could be the problem?
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Have the radiator flushed. It may be plugged
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SPENCER503
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100 MILES
Have a 96 subaru it is overheating and no heat inside car changed thermostat added more antifreeze still overheating and no heat inside
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
You will have to pressure test the cooling system to find all the leaks and then determine if any internal damage was done when it overheated.
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NICK KURTZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 129,700 MILES
Hi, recently the heater in my car is not warming up. It blows air just fine. AC works fine. When the temperature is turned to heat, the air it blows is "room temperature". When defrost is turned on, the air blown towards the windshield is cold.
Heater worked fine last week.

Not sure if this is related, but a few days ago I noticed the parking lights were on, even when the car was turned off. I could only get them to turn off by pulling the fuse. I have not been able to get that issue looked at yet so I have been pulling the fuse when the vehicle is parked and putting it back in when the vehicle is in use (obviously not a permanent fix).
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check for low coolant first, if low then add fluid and have pressure checked for leaks. That is number one cause of no heat if that is okay, then check thermostat it may be stuck open.
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNNY G.JR
  • MECHANIC
  • 320 POSTS
What does the temp gauge reading say
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARL B
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 14,400 MILES
When Heater is turned on, Blower sends Cold air to passengers side in both Defrost and Front Panel modes
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Check the airbox for obstructed blend and diverter doors.
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GJ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK
Heater problem
2000 Subaru Outback All Wheel Drive Automatic

My husband and I disagree about how fast it takes to heat up the inside of the car if one sets the heat control on a higher temp setting rather than a lower setting.

He says it will heat up just a fast if you just set the lever to low (or even med) as it will if you put the lever over to high. I say it warms up faster if it is set higher because when I compare the air temp coming out of the vents on the lower settings the air flow feels significantly cooler and when I move the lever to high the forced air is warmer and thus will warm the space up faster. Who is right?

Please help settle this argument once and for all.
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
When that heater core heats up the higher the airflow out of those vents the quicker it'll heat. Lets put it this way when its hot inside the house and you use an electric fan-which position of the fan will cool you faster-lol Take the money and run you won!
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ELIJAH09
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Thermostat gage goes from hot to cool and heat doesnt come out. Subaru 2000
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the thermostat-start here
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 1:34 PM (Merged)

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