No heat from heater?

Tiny
LITLMEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
I have had a problem with not getting any heat unless the engine is above 1000 rpms then when I let it back to idle again the heat cools off. Also when the car first warms up it heats up to like 240 degrees Fahrenheit and and then will drop down to 200 which is the normal operating temp. Then I get great heat. I just replace the thermostat and water pump to try to solve this problem but no luck yet.I did notice what sometimes when I was bringing the rpm up using the throttle cable under the hood the lower radiator hose will collapse. Can anyone help me?
Monday, November 10th, 2008 AT 5:15 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
You have a large air pocket in the cooling system. Refill with coolant.

This guide will help us fix the problem

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
LITLMEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have tried to get the air out it is supposed to vent itself through the the cap right? I have also tried the bleeder screw but no luck so I flashed out the heater core like the guide suggested and BAM all fixed!
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Friday, November 14th, 2008 AT 6:04 AM
Tiny
TENGINE2003
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 47,046 MILES
My air conditioning blows cold, but my heat will not come on. Last yr I had this problem in reverse but, once I got it to blow cold I did not try to turn the heat back until now, and it just blows cold. Any advice I will appreciate. Thank you
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
The heat in that vehicle is controlled by a blend door that regulates heated air flow. It is operated by an electric motor/actuator. The problem can be that the actuator is stripped or inoperative or the door itself could be damaged. This is what needs to be determined by examining the actuator and see if it is responding to heat change commands or not.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KRIS418
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 69,300 MILES
My heat blows out cold until the car reaches 240 degrees. Then it goes down to 200 and the heat works. This morning it went up to 260degrees and my car woouldn't go over 40 miles an hour. Finally it went back down to 200 degrees the heat went on and I was fine. Do you know what the problem is?
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Change the thermostat, sounds like it is sticking. Now is also a good time to flush and refil the cooling system.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PLABBE
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Heater problem
2003 Pontiac Grand Am 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 182.53 miles

The car wont make any heat in the heater even when the motor is hot. What could be the trouble?I change the thermostaat and its full of antifreeze. Thanks in advance for any help.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVIDWJR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Im having this prblem but I changed my hoses then I was bleeding it out and it still wont blow hot air
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
No heat
Check heater hoses if both hot
If not air in system
Elevate front of car and check coolant and add if needed
Check lower intake manifold gasket for leak
And if loosing coolant check head gasket
If heater hoses hot and no heat check and suspect blend door and or actuator
if one hot and one not flush heater hose
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NEENAMARIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 115,000 MILES
I recently had intake manifold gaskets and thermostat replaced. Now the temperature gauge reads below normal when driving and blows cold air, but if I leave it idling it gets to normal and will blow somewhat warm air. Please help, pulling my hair out and freezing to death.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
First check the coolant then check thermostat. If hoses going into heater are hot then it may be a blend door in heater which you should pull the HVAC fuse inside car with key on for sixty seconds may let actuator reset then reinstall it.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BELLAMARIA9806
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 150,000 MILES
My pontiac grand am 2003 heater does not work properly, some day I have full heat, the next I have half heat and another day no heat. Please help me
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
What is your normal engine operating temp in degrees F? Does the engine reach normal temp? Are the heater hoses hot when problem occurs? Another possibility might be the temp door, under the dash. You would need to visibly/physically check door when problem is ongoing.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BELLAMARIA9806
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My temperature is 194 F most of the time, it reach 215 F sometimes but it rare. The heat continue to be alternative whatever the temps of my engine. I try to change the heater mode setting and the heat level setting too but nothing work. I have not checked the heater hoses, I just dont know where beginning to check
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
That operating temp is too low. Do you live in an extremely cold area? Your low speed cooling fan won't even turn on till about 223 degrees. Maybe an issue with thermostat stuck open?
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BELLAMARIA9806
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I'm living in Quebec, in Canada, its extremly cold in the winter, I will check the thermostat position and the heater hoses and if dont have positive results, I will tell you, thank you very much
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
No problem.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MRY1539
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 114,000 MILES
Grand am Gt, Sometimes blows hot air, then will switch down to cool by itself, always blows COLD air when at an idle or stop. Thermometer problem? Getting cold here in Mi, If I turn on heater first it takes forever to get hot air, then sometimes it will start blowing cooler air on its own. Also whenever I idle or come to a stop it always blows out cold air? Coolant level is good. Is not overheating by temp guage
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Three things to check. First, make sure the engine is operating at a normal operating temp. Next, when it gets cold, feel both heater core hoses with the engine running and the heater on. Both should be hot. If only one is, you may need to flush the heater core. Third, if both hoses are hot and you are getting cold air, check the blend air door. It is located near the heater core and based on how far it is open, determines how much heat you get. If it is not working properly, you won't get normal heat or any at all.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)

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