My Heater doesn't work...

[Sams984Runner]

OK. Its been a while i posted something. My finals are over so now i can do what i love - take care of my Runner. I just got it fixed too from the body shop over the weekend the front now looks Brand New too . But now i would like to discuss my delimma.

My heater doesn't work right. I put the knob all the way to Red and still cold air blowing in my face. After 30 mins of driving, a little warm air comes in but not enought to keep warm inside. The AC works perfect.

Is someone else having/had the same problem? and if yes, any solution.

I'll be openning up the dash soon but its just too cold.
Thnx in advance

 

[dave3.6]

What does your engine temp read? I had this happen on a car I owned. The engine thermostat was broken and had locked in the open position. (this was after I had ran the car with no coolant in it) The engine couldn't heat up and thus the heater couldn't work. If this is your problem then all you need is a new thermostat.

 

[p nut]

Doesn't really sound like a "dilemma". You just gotta fix it.

Two very common reasons why it's not working. First, if the thermostat is stuck open, then your car will not warm up, which means a face-full of cold air.

Second reason is if you have a coolant leak somewhere, your coolant level will obviously be low, which also means no hot coolant reaching your heater core.

The ways to check for this is also very obvious. If your engine temp reads low, then it's usually the thermostat. If there is no coolant in the reservoir and the radiator, then you've got a leak somewhere.

 

[gapboi210]

make sure the heater control valve is opening

 

[Sams984Runner]

thnx 4 the reply...

My engine temp is ok. My guage does show that my engine is warm (between C and H) and the coolant was full in Radiotor the last time i checked. Well i'll check it again today and see if thats what it is. If not, where can i find the Heater Valve to see if its open or not??

 

[Sams984Runner]

I just checked the radiator coolant and it was OK. I just added some more water just in case. But the heater is still not good. Has anyone opened their Heater core to see how it goes?? I will go over the complete inspection from the engine side.

Any tips guys???

 

[Sams984Runner]

already checked that. It opens. thnx

make sure the heater control valve is opening

 

[estorvito]

I had the same problem with mine. I had the heater at full blast and wasnt getting any hot air...
I changed thermostat, did a coolant flush and nothing.

I decided to take the heater core off to check it. Its not really that hard to take the dash off. It took me about an hour or so to take it apart.
I checked my local auto part store to see how much it was and it was well over $200 so i decided to try and clean the old one a re/use it. I went and bough draino (crystal balls) not liquid, took the heater core to the basement and pour the draino inside the 2 openings in the core. I then added a little bit of water and let the draino eat all the rust inside it., I had to do it several times to make sure the core was clean inside.
If you dont want to go thru all that trouble just buy it new and repace it.
Make sure you dont bend any of the clamps or the 2 small pipes that feed the heater core. Also make sure you install new O rings on it before you install it just to make sure it doesnt leak.

Hit me up if you need any more info...
Hope this helps...


Good Luck!

 

[Sams984Runner]

Thnx...

Just what i was waiting for, a word from someone who had done what i was thinking to do. gr8. I would probably try to clean it, can't afford a new one right now. Just a quick question. How long its been u did that and is the heater & AC working fine??

I had the same problem with mine. I had the heater at full blast and wasnt getting any hot air...
I changed thermostat, did a coolant flush and nothing.

I decided to take the heater core off to check it. Its not really that hard to take the dash off. It took me about an hour or so to take it apart.
I checked my local auto part store to see how much it was and it was well over $200 so i decided to try and clean the old one a re/use it. I went and bough draino (crystal balls) not liquid, took the heater core to the basement and pour the draino inside the 2 openings in the core. I then added a little bit of water and let the draino eat all the rust inside it., I had to do it several times to make sure the core was clean inside.
If you dont want to go thru all that trouble just buy it new and repace it.
Make sure you dont bend any of the clamps or the 2 small pipes that feed the heater core. Also make sure you install new O rings on it before you install it just to make sure it doesnt leak.

Hit me up if you need any more info...
Hope this helps...


Good Luck!

 

[estorvito]

Re: Thnx...

Just what i was waiting for, a word from someone who had done what i was thinking to do. gr8. I would probably try to clean it, can't afford a new one right now. Just a quick question. How long its been u did that and is the heater & AC working fine??

Its been good for over a month now. No problems at all. Heater kicks ass.


Good Luck!

 

[Sams984Runner]

Hi estrovito, i am going to open up my dash next week. And i wanted to ask you some stuff like, should i start from taking the middle console out(with all knobs and stuff) and then start from the driver/passanger side? And also do you think i can reach the core if i remove the console? or do i still have to open the dash? If u have any pix of when u did urs, they'll be gr8 help, coz m taking pix for mine

Thnx in advace buddy.

 

[estorvito]

Hi estrovito, i am going to open up my dash next week. And i wanted to ask you some stuff like, should i start from taking the middle console out(with all knobs and stuff) and then start from the driver/passanger side? And also do you think i can reach the core if i remove the console? or do i still have to open the dash? If u have any pix of when u did urs, they'll be gr8 help, coz m taking pix for mine

Thnx in advace buddy.

Sorry... i didnt take any pics. I also sold the truck 3 weeks ago. The heater still works awesome.
So yeah...
The whole dash has to come off. :-(

Heres how i did it:

1- disconnect the battery
2- remove center top and bottom console.
3- remove radio and loosen heater control bolts
4- drop steering wheel. 4 14mm nuts i beleive
5- remove glove box
6- remove all bolts/nuts and plugs you see holding the dash and heater/ac blower. That also includes the nuts holding airbag in place and some on the bottom and top middle section of the dash.
7- Remove/unplug gauge cluster- THere you'll need to remove the 10mm nut holding dash
8- wiggle/ dash to remove. Make sure you dont pull on wires trying to remove it
9- Now that the dash piece is out of the way, remove the two metal plates in center where the radio sits.
10- Remove all heater plastic parts and controls. You'll need to remove all the nuts that hold the heater core thingy, heater control thingy and heater blower thingy.
11- Remove the big bar that goes across were the dash sits. The bar goes from driver side to pass side. i beleive there are 6 12mm nuts holding it down. 3 nuts on each end. While youre there remove the ecu from that little slot it sits in.
12- Remove that small box held down by 3 torx screws
14- Now you need to run back outside under the hood and remove the 2 heater core hoses in the engine bay.
15- Now back inside the truck you'll need to carefully loosen the 2 heater core pipe hold downcaps with a philips screwdriver and try and pull everything back without breaking, bending the heater core pipes or heater blower/ac unit. VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO BEND OR BREAK the heater core pipes. Mark the pipes with a marker so youll know which one goes where and how it was facing.
16- remove heater core and wuallaaaaaaaaaaaa!


Im sorry i could'nt get you any pics or better info. Im not responsible if you **** up..lol..... IM sure i missed a couple things but its all i can think off of the top of my head.

Again, you can try and use draNo crystals to remove all the dirt/rust inside of it. I did and 'til this day the heater works awesome. You might want to replace the 2 O-rings to make sure it does'nt leak when you install it.

Post or pm me if you have any questions. Keep in mind im not a professional, but i'll do my best to try and help. Ohh and sorry about my spelling...

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Sams984Runner]

Whoa....

Nice, thnx bro. I got what i needed. don't worry, i won't blame anyone if i f***up . I've been working on my prev cars for a while, so i think i should be good. I just wanted to know how much work is involved and how long it will take me, coz its still cold enough here for me to work on it. So, i'm ready now.

I'll keep you posted (hopefully with pix). Thxn again u've been gr8 help so far.

 

[estorvito]

Re: Whoa....

Nice, thnx bro. I got what i needed. don't worry, i won't blame anyone if i f***up . I've been working on my prev cars for a while, so i think i should be good. I just wanted to know how much work is involved and how long it will take me, coz its still cold enough here for me to work on it. So, i'm ready now.

I'll keep you posted (hopefully with pix). Thxn again u've been gr8 help so far.

No problem.

Yeah i did mine while it was cold out. I used 3 of those
halogen <--spl? lights to keep the truck warm and for lighting of course. lol

again
Good Luck

 

[cdavi060]

i had this same problem with my 4runner when I first got it, was just enough hot air coming out to do nothing haha, Turns out the cable was just unhooked from its holder under the floorboard dash of passenger side. so the know would turn and all but the entire cable moved, not just the cable inside, causing the heater flap to not move all the way to heat.

 

[Sams984Runner]

i had this same problem with my 4runner when I first got it, was just enough hot air coming out to do nothing haha, Turns out the cable was just unhooked from its holder under the floorboard dash of passenger side. so the know would turn and all but the entire cable moved, not just the cable inside, causing the heater flap to not move all the way to heat.

But i think my wiring is ok. Because when i looked at the little vent control under the hood, it moved all the way with the knob, so im pretty sure my problem is a big one.