As colder temperatures arrive, and it’s time to start defrosting and warming up the vehicle in the morning, it’s crucial to have an operating heating system in your vehicle to enjoy safety and comfort while driving in colder conditions. If you aren’t feeling heat from your vents, there could be several causes of heating system problems that should always be taken seriously due to potential safety issues. It could be other parts causing the issue, leading to more expensive repairs down the road.
Low Coolant Level
When heat isn’t blowing from your vehicle’s heating system, one of the first things to check is a low coolant level. This can be caused by a cracked or broken coolant tank, hose, water pump, or blown head gasket. If your car doesn’t start blowing warm air within 10 to 15 minutes after you turn the car on, the coolant level may be too low to get to the heater core. It’s recommended to check on all coolant system parts, which can also leak coolant, which can lead to the engine overheating, which is an even more expensive repair.
Failed Heater Control Valve
A Heater Control Valve stops and switches hot antifreeze flowing into the heater core, which produces heat for the vehicle. If the valve is faulty, it will either leak or seize in one position. If the valve is seized while in the closed position and hot antifreeze cannot reach the heater core, your heater will blow cold air.
Plugged Cabin Air Filter
The cabin air filter primarily prevents dust and other debris from reaching the cabin; however, it needs to be replaced regularly to prevent reduced airflow and restricted airflow due to trapped dirt and debris, which prevents warm air from reaching the cabin as well, with less air coming through the vents. This is very easy to diagnose because you’ll notice a lack of airflow out of the vents. If a plugged cabin air filter is the reason your heater system is not working, replacing the filter with a new one should resolve the issue.
Faulty Climate Control Panel
The majority of vehicles today are all-electric vehicles for climate control. Even if your vehicle still has traditional dials, it’s most likely all electric inside, rather than the cables in an old system. It’s possible for your entire climate control panel to fail internally, causing the switches that control the blower and blend doors to fail.
Blocked or Leaking Heater Core
A Heater Core is the primary source of heat inside your vehicle. If there is an issue with your Heater Core, which could be the cause of your heating system blowing cold air, due to being blocked
Faulty Thermostat
Lastly, the thermostat can also be the culprit behind a car heater not working. The thermostat is inexpensive, but it has one of the most significant roles in a car. It helps keep the engine’s running temperature at optimum levels and directly affects the heating and cooling in a car.
Heating System Services at Scott’s U-Save
The ability to control your interior’s temperature is one of those creature comforts you just can’t live without. Without climate control, driving your car would be freezing in the winter and unbearably hot in the summer. Functioning heat and air conditioning are something drivers take for granted. We have four locations in New Lenox, IL; Schererville, IN; Steger, IL; and Crown Point, IN, all staffed with ASE-Certified technicians and expert service advisors. Whether you need a new heater core or an A/C recharge, we can help. Call or schedule an appointment with Scott’s U-Save today!