Car Heaters

you probably have a blocked heater tap. the heater cools down and there isn't enough coolant flow through the heater tap to keep it warm

You may need to replace your Thermostat or your Heater Core.

Is your blower motor working? If so, Sounds like it is either in the control switch that controls the mix of hot and cold air. I have to turn my temp knob back and forth after it has been in one position all summer. Feel if there is any resistance when changing from cold to hot(blue to red) If none felt, its in there. Mine usually works after I have turned it back and forth a few times. You may have to take it out and clean the connections.

Check coolant level and strength of antifreeze. Antefreeze that is too strong in a vehicle will not heat good. If that is fine replace thermostat with a 190 degree one and try that. If it still doesn't heat check heater core for blockage, flush out or check fins for debris.

Shrimp- dead or alive or dirt and gunk in the air ducts.

40 years ago, it was not uncommon for pranksters to take off your hubcaps and fill them with shrimp before reattaching.

Not much to go on but...

First, BE SURE YOUR VEHICLE'S COOLING SYSTEM IS FULL!

If not, FILL IT! If it keeps 'disappearing' after a few days or a few weeks, your engines gaskets are probably worn beyond ignoring. (I killed my Malibu by ignoring the issue, I loved my Malibu... sigh...). They MUST be replaced before the engine oil and coolant 'become one with each other' (BTW... this is bad).

If your engine is full, and your coolant hoses become firm (firm by means of pressure from heated gases and liquids expanding in your cooling system) after running a while...

I would start with the Thermostat...

If your engine is not running anywhere near 195 degrees Fahrenheit after running for about 15 minutes, your thermostat is most likely stuck open and , therefor, your engine is not warming up to operating temperature. Just watch your temperature guage on your next trip to the market. My 2003, Chevy, 2300 V6 engine needs to warm to 150-160 to even start to heat the vehicles interior and during very cold conditions, it may take up to 175-180 before good 'hot' air gets going.

Be aware other issues can cause this as well. Water pump failures and blockages in the system can cause COLD air blowing from the heater as well. If the air is cool or WARM, go with the thermostat first. It's inexpensive, and 'relatively' easy to do.

Good Luck!

With my car, it was Heater matrix clogged with radiator sealant. The workshop cleaned it and it's start working fine!

You need to have your refridgerant recharged

If you are getting hot air no matter how you adjust the temp control switch, the temp blend door actuator is probably at fault. The actuator is located under the passenger side of the dash. You will have to remove the lower plastic cover above the passengers foot area to gain access to it.

Check coolant level? Heater core plugged or restricted? Heater core airbound? Bad thermostat? Water pump not circulating coolant? Heater control cable not adjusted properly?

check your coolant level. if its full, might be a plugged heater core.

Few things could be up with that.

1st. check to make sure your radiator is full, also check to see how strong your antifreeze is with a little ball gauge. If you don't have the mix right ( too much antifreeze and not enough water) it will take longer to heat up.

2nd, if all that is good than it could be you need to replace the thermostat with a new one.

3rd. worst case could be a clogged heater core which might need to be flushed to clean out any debris that might be clogging the water ways. Hope this helps.

yes it does. I have one

blend door is possibly stuck or linkage is broken. turn fan off and switch from hot to cold slowly while listening under dash. you should hear the door close if not check there firstType your answer here...

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did u ever discover the problem?...My catera is having the same issue... Thx

Try taking the cap off coolant tank, and running enging till all the air bubbles come out, as it sounds like you have a air lock in your cloolant lines.

Water control Valve, very common on catera's. about $90 dealer only part.

in my case it was my oil cooler, it had blowen a seal and was mixing my oil and coolant, the oil cooler is located in the valley of the engine, and installed would cost almost $1100.

Some things to check. Are the heater hoses warm? if not check for blockage at water pump, heater valve ( valve inline on the heater hose that allows flow to the core) or blocked core itself. If so then check the air mix door inside the cab under the passengers side to make sure it is allowing air flow through the core and blocking the ac and outside air. Low coolant, pluged heater core, feel the hoses to see if they are both warm, door closing outside air not closed. Cable or vacumn pot not closing it.

fuse, wire, switch, resistor, fan motor, ground, etc.

If you don't have power to your heater or ac fan, it could be a fuse or a relay. You should check your owner's manual to determine which fuse or relay affects your fan.

Low coolant?

Heater core restricted or plugged?

Heater core airbound?

Water pump not circulating coolant?

Heater control cable not adjusted properly?

With mine it was Heater matrix clogged with radiator sealant. The workshop cleaned it and it's start working fine!

sounds like your low on freon and anti freeze

The heater core may be plugged. With the engine running and fully warmed up, feel both of the heater hoses with your hands. If one hose is hot and the other is luke warm or cold, the heater is plugged in which case you can try flushing the heater core. If both hoses are hot, the temp blend door acuator behind the dash assembly is broken. If both hoses are cold, replace the thermostat again and be sure the cooling system is full.

It sounds like your coolant level is low if you have no heat at idle (or low speed), but your heater blows hot air when you travel at a higher rate of speed. I would remove the radiator cap (when the engine is cool) and check the anti-freeze level. If you find your level is low you may want to also watch and see if you have any coolant leaks that are causing the anti-freeze to escape.

Blend form with function by taking what you're supposed to be making and having it be functional. On the other hand, you also want it to be *dare I say it* pretty. *teehee* So you want it to look good and work right at the same time. Take cars for example. Three cars. One that looks nice and is crappy. One that's crappy looking and works well. One that is both. All of them cost about the same. Which would you buy?

When this happens it is typically because your antifreeze and water mix (coolant) isn't correct. You want 50% antifreeze and 50% water to create the right coolant mix. The antifreeze will keep the car running cool while the water allows it to stay warm enough to provide heat in your vehicle.

When you are sitting still the water pump isn't moving at full speed so the coolant isn't flowing through the radiator as fast and heats up a little more. As well, you are not moving so the coolant running through the radiator isn't being cooled by any forced air like it is when you are driving.

Bottom line, you need to add water to your radiator. If it is full then I would suggest getting it flushed and put the correct 50/50 mix in the vehicle. Whoever filled your coolant obviously used 100% antifreeze.

runs out of petral,but that's power for a car so yes