Heater quit! I'm cold! Help!

[jksmyers]

Yes I live in Texas, but winter for even us is bad right now. My problem started yesterday. I have a '00 Limited with the automatic A/C. It will blow cold air JUST FINE! But when I try to turn the temp up to activate the heater, I hear a loud clicking sound coming from the passenger floorboard area - up under the dash. Whatever mechanism changes the air flow from cold to hot sounds "stuck." I have no clue how any of that works. Here are my questions:
1) what is the mechanism that changes the air flow from cold to hot?
2) where is it located and how can I get to it?
3) should I just bite the bullet and take it to the damn shop?

Thanks!

 

[JohnsD90]

Check to see how much coolant you have. If no coolant runs through the heater core your not gonna get warm air, but if you have no coolant in there then there is no coolant in the engine which is a much larger problem. Check to see if your rear heater lines are rusted through. They are 2 lines on the that run underneath the car on the passenger side, right about where the passenger footwell is. If that is your problem report back for a quick fix.

 

[Jordan Petry]

I have been living with this problem for years.

You need to turn your temperature control knob to the desired temperature, then pop your hood, there is a small butterfly valve at the very back of the firewall in the center mounted fairly high. You need to help this turn as what is slipping is the motor that is supposed to adjust. You could also try lubing the cable, that didn't work for me though.

 

[jksmyers]

Thanks guys. I'll take a closer look tonight and report back.

 

[jksmyers]

Jordan, you're a genius!!!!!!!:reddance: How long did it take you to figure that out? Suffice it to say, coolant levels are fine and the valve is the culprit. I'm gonna get this permanently fixed in the Spring, but the quick fix will at least get me through winter. Thanks a ton! And I can't believe you've dealt with it "for years." Driving me crazy already...

 

[Jordan Petry]

Eh, it's not too difficult for me. I change it once when it gets cold out and once when it gets hot out, twice a year. I'm one of those guys who drives with his windows down pretty much all the time anyway.

Glad I could help, stay warm, Jordan