2001 Honda Insight No Heat or Defrost

Tiny
ELEYARMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA INSIGHT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 140,000 MILES
Car runs great but neither the heater nor the defroster output any heat. Temperature gage shows that the engine is heating up. The radiator was recently replaced and refilled. There is water/coolant mixture in the radiator. (AC system was recently replaced and but has yet to be recharged, if this is significant.) External air temperature sensor is in place. What is/are the likely problem(s)? And how can we pinpoint the problem? How do I enter the Sensor Input Display Mode? The instructions on page 21-44 of the manual do not do anything. Thanks.
Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 AT 11:42 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello

Please check your heater hoses going into the firewall. Are both the same temperature or is one hot and one not
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Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 AT 10:55 PM
Tiny
ELEYARMS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The Insight is equipped with a rubber-capped standpipe that supplies coolant to a portion of the system between the engine and firewall. If a system has been completely emptied, that portion of the system must be replenished with a funnel and small tubing. Once the coolant in this portion of the system was replenished the heater began working.
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Sunday, January 4th, 2009 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello

Great. So you are good to go
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Sunday, January 4th, 2009 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

Hey, one more quick thing, it 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.

02-081
12/17/2002
Recall - Emissions/ECM Replacement

01-098
10/29/2001
Recall - PCM Software Update

06-027
02/16/2008
Campaign - Warranty Extension for IMA Battery

07-049
02/05/2008
Campaign - A/T, CVT Start Clutch Warranty Extension

07-050
02/05/2008
Campaign - A/T, CVT Drive Belt Warranty Extension

06-026
02/05/2008
Campaign - Premature IMA Battery Module Failures

06-057
02/05/2008
Campaign - Warranty Extension for IMA Battery Module

07-038
11/07/2007
Campaign - ECM Update for MIL ON/DTC P0420

01-102
11/27/2001
Campaign - Integrated Motor Assist Controller Update

NHTSA04V086000
02/01/2004
Recall 04V086000: Headlamp Switch/Connector Defect

02-049
08/02/2002
Recall - Passenger Air Bag Replacement

NHTSA02V196000
07/01/2002
Recall 02V196000: Passenger Air Bag Replacement
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Sunday, January 4th, 2009 AT 5:20 PM
Tiny
HONDATECH74
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
I would have to say the most probable problem is the water valve and or cable. Seeing that the ac system has been replaced the cable could have been left off of the valve.

This is located at the rear of the engine bay and should have a heater hose connected on either side.
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Friday, February 27th, 2009 AT 8:27 PM

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