No heat

Tiny
RUFUSRICH2779
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 170,000 MILES
My heat doesn't work I changed blend door actuator and flushed out heater core. Van runs at normal temperature and radiator hoses get hot so I don't think its thermostat. I manually moved blend door and no heat still came out. My coolant is rusty looking could that have something to do with it. Air blows cold in back also.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Tuesday, February 9th, 2016 AT 1:11 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Are both heater hoses at the firewall hot to the touch?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
RUFUSRICH2779
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The inlet hose is and the outlet is cold
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Then you have a restricted heater core and it needs to be replaced.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
RUFUSRICH2779
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
When I took heater core hoses off no coolant came out of heater or hoses could something be stopping coolant flow from getting to heater
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Yes, a bad heater core.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
RUFUSRICH2779
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Changed heater core blend door actuator still no heat. Van at normal running temp. Coolant a little rusty
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
And why would you change a blend door actuator when I advised you that you had a restricted heater core?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
RUFUSRICH2779
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Heater hoses barely warm. I left left coolant top off while van was running and coolant started coming out. I changed actuator because it was knocking and teeth on gear had broken off
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Does that model have a heater control valve?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
No, it does not. Those 2 heater hoses are connected directly to the heater core.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
RUFUSRICH2779
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
What could be blocking coolant from reaching heater core could water pump be malfunctioning
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
There was no mention of the car overheating so no, I don't believe that is possible.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
RUFUSRICH2779
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
What could be restricting coolant from flowing to heater core
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
I've already answered that question twice. You need a heater core.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
RUFUSRICH2779
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I have replaced heater core
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
With new or used?
There is nothing else that can restrict it unless your hoses are kinked. If the water pump wasn't working properly the car would be overheating.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
RUFUSRICH2779
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Its new
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
We have had other members tell us that air bubbles can get trapped in the heater core by jacking up the rear of the car or the front of the car it can help burp the system here is more information for you, please get back to us on what you find so it can help others

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Most of us fill by vacuum now and that eliminates all air in the system.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 6:08 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Heater Not Working Content

Heater Not Working
VIDEO
Heater Not Working
Instructional repair video
Heater Not Working
GUIDE
Heater Not Working
Step 1 - A heater cannot operate unless the engine is full of coolant/antifreeze. If coolant level is low check the system for leaks.
VIEW MORE