Heater not working?

Tiny
JCMJBMLD
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  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,777 MILES
I have no heat in the front cabin of my van. However, the rear compartment does get heat. What causes all of this? Is it a costly fix? Or could I do it myself?
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 AT 3:37 AM

22 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
This is typical when the temperature blend door actuator goes out here is a guide to help walk you through the steps of changing it with instructions in the diagrams below for your car.

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

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 AT 3:45 AM
Tiny
JCMJBMLD
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Thanks for the diagrams but I have single zone and these are for dual zone?
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 AT 3:59 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Check out the second diagrams it show boh signal and dual zone applications.
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
JCMJBMLD
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It took about an hour but I got it changed out everything is working again now my kids wont freeze thank you so much
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 AT 9:41 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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You are welcome use 2Carpros. Com anytime
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Friday, December 3rd, 2010 AT 4:52 AM
Tiny
PETER9653
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  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine Cooling problem
2003 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My Caravan will not produce any heat from vents when its cold outside. In the shop it will blow very hot air, once you go out in the cold you get only cold air. I have replaced the water pump, thermostat, and radiator. All hoses seem hot except the lower rad hose after returning from driving, the rad cap can be removed and the coolant is cold.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Are both heater core hoses getting hot? It almost sounds like you have an air pocket problem not allowing coolant to circulate. Lets go over this guide to help find the problem

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

Joe
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GMCBLUES1
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  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
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  • 193,000 MILES
Our 2003 dodge grand caravan does not warm up inside ever even though the engine temp gauge is in the normal middle range. It will change air flow amongst windshield, face and feet and puts out lots of air but its still COLD.
It seems to give a little shot of lukewarm air once in a while (maybe its out frozen imagination) but it stays cold overall.
I had a 1993 cavalier years ago that did the same thing and took it in to firestone in about 1997 who did a fix for about $150 bucks. Another dealership had quoted $600 but I don't know what they all did. Thanks
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
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Your gauge is reading normally and its only luke warm, is a common complaint, inside your van is a small radiator, air blows across its fins, if there is hot water going through and the blend door opens properly, its fine, so whether the heat is getting through or not is different problems according to the parts that are not working properly. A 150 dollar repair may be a thermostat, a 600 dollar repair may be a heater core, that is what the small heat exchanger is called. If no one has tested it yet, its hard to tell, it sounds like air is getting into the system, but it could also be poor circulation or a clogged core, I mentioned air because of the mileage. Even a leaking head gasket can allow the system to get airbound. I wish I could say exactly what it is, I hope its just a minor fix. Ok? Your best bet is to have someone look at it, you don't need dealer service for a no heat condition, why not bring it to the firestone to have them take a look, sometimes air can be bled out, ok?
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NIKKI LEBLANC GUTHRIE
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  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
The heater in our van will only get warm when we are driving on the expressway or at a constant speed. If we are driving around a neighborhood or stop and go
it only blows cold air. It will not heat up unless the car is moving fast. Does not heat while idling.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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There are two things to look at. First, be sure the cooling system is full. If the level is low enough, the heater core in the dash is the highest point in the system, and the flow of hot liquid will stop. The second suspect, especially due to the age and mileage, is sediment has collected in the heater core. That can be flushed out with a garden hose as part of a cooling system flush. It is best to disconnect the heater hoses at the engine so water can be flushed through the core. When pulling hoses off the heater core, there is always the chance of breaking one of the pipes off. It is also easier to spray water into a hose that is disconnected at the engine.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KNLTGSR7
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  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
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History: 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, 120k+ miles, Car has (since the beginning of the winter) been taking a long time to heat up. It does not heat well when idle. Normally I use antifreeze (no water added) in winter, I added in about 3 cups of antifreeze w/water mix in radiator (because its all I had) and I believed the level was low and w/no heat.
About a week later when starting the engine, I heard high pitch whine. I noticed that the blower was not blowing out heat, and engine temp spiked to High. I added almost a full container of antifreeze (no water). The engine temp still spiked to hot (lite on) and then when going slow or idling went back to 1/2. I turned off the blower and engine heat spiked again. Now engine heat at 1/2 (normal) at all times.

Problem: When I turn on the blower in car for heat, fan works fine, (sometimes it whines), the heat come out full blast but it only lasts for about 15 seconds, then nothing but cold air comes out.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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For a start try replacing the thermostat if it continues-start looking into the air mix/blend/mode doors-could also be an actuator/vacuum / the HVAC control module.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KNLTGSR7
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Where do I find the thermostat on the car? Why would it blast out hot air when the power is turned on and then 15 seconds later turn to cold?
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Drain about 1 gal of antifreeze from radiator Follow top radiator hose to the thermostat housing at engine Remove housing and observe how thermostat is installed in housing Clean housing and engine where it mounts

Replace thermostat and gasket Tighten bolts on housing securely and evenly Refill radiator slowly to prevent an "air lock" Start vehicle and check for leaks Run to normal operating temperature and re-check coolant level

Also check the other items I've mentioned-
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KRISLOVESJEREMY
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  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE CARAVAN
My friends heater will not work in her van and I want to see about getting it fixed for her because she has five kids. What are the most common reasons for the heater not to work? And is it really expensive to have fixed?
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
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Hi. The single most common repair for a car or minivan that blows cold air is either there is not enough coolant in the cooling system, or your thermostat may be stuck in the open position, not letting the engine heat up properly. If your temp gauge reads too low, or too high, it could be either. With a 7 year 6 cylinder engine you must be very careful as it may be serious. The engine relies on the same fluid for cooling itself as it does for inside comfort for the heater. It may be a minor repair, but I would not put it off too long. Make sure there is coolant in the van. After that have your cooling system tested. It may just need a new thermostat.

Here is a guide to help us

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NGARCIA182
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For me it was the blend door actuator here is the location as it will help someone out there. Look below at the diagrams I just loaded.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KENFRAYNE
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  • 2002 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 11,900 MILES
When we turn the heat on, it only blows out cool air. Sometimes while driving at 55 or more on the highways, it will blow warm air. We just had a brand new radiator put in last year. Do you think it could be the thermostat or the heater coil? Thanks.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
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To start with, check your coolant level and your coolant strength. It needs to be 50/50 coolant/water mix. If you have too much either of one, your heating will not be as good. I understand that you have installed a new radiator last year. Did you replace the coolant with a new one or did you use the old one?

If your thermostat is stuck open, you will not get the optimum heating from the engine. Try replacing it.

If that does not help, heater core. You don't have to replace it just yet. Try flushing the core. A lot of time clogged heater core will also prevents the optimum heating.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 8:10 AM (Merged)

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