Why Is My Car’s Heater Not Working?
When temperatures start to drop, few systems in your vehicle seem as essential as a properly working heater. Though it’s often overlooked for much of the year, there’s nothing quite as bad as getting in your car on a cold morning and realizing that your heater system isn’t producing that warm stream of air that we take for granted.
There are a number of reasons why your heater could be experiencing issues. And while it’s normally not a problem that affects the safety of your vehicle, it may lead to the inability to clear your windows of condensation which can quickly become a hazard on cold and snowy winter roads.
In this article, we’ll go over how the heater system works, the common issues that lead to reduced heater performance, and what you can do to prevent these problems down the line.
How Do Automotive Heater Systems Work?
The process of getting warm air blowing through your vents starts with the heater core, which is a small radiator-like component that is heated with hot engine coolant diverted from the vehicle’s cooling system. By using coolant that has recently passed through engine components, the heater core is able to dissipate heat through its fins into the air above.
As air is drawn into the interior through ducts, it passes over the heater core and takes the heat with it, bringing warm air through the vents and keeping your interior at a comfortable temperature.
Common Heater System Issues
Low Coolant Level
As the heater is reliant on heat from engine coolant, you could imagine that low levels of coolant in the system may lead to reduced heater performance. Although the cooling system should retain all of its coolant, leaks in components like the radiator, coolant hoses, or water pump can deprive the vehicle of the coolant it needs to remain at a safe temperature as well as provide heat to the heater system.
If you switch on your heater system and don’t receive warm air within 10-15 minutes of running, it may be the result of low coolant levels that prevent coolant from reaching the heater core.
Clogged Heater Core
The heater core is dependent on diverted engine coolant to disperse heat into the incoming air. Over time, old or contaminated coolant can begin to plug up the passage from the cooling system to the heater core, preventing the heater core from receiving the hot coolant it requires.
These blockages often occur as a result of neglected coolant that becomes contaminated with sediment, corrosion, and other debris. This is compounded with the fact that many drivers don’t run their heater through the majority of the year, allowing these blockages to build up over the course of months before you ever turn that heater control knob.
The easiest way to prevent this issue is with regular coolant maintenance and flushes that can remove the contaminated coolant and clear up passageways. Occasionally, heater cores can experience major blockages or other failures that require the component to be replaced entirely.
Faulty Heater Fan
Another frequent cause of an ineffective heater is a faulty heater fan, which is responsible for blowing air over the heater core and delivering warm air through the vents. Like any electrical component, this fan can fail as a result of bad fuses or wiring.
Alternatively, the faulty fan may be due to a bad blower motor resistor, which is a small component that controls the speed of the blower fan. If you’re experiencing a specific fan speed that does not work while others can, it’s likely because of this.
Blocked Cabin Air Filter
The cabin air filter acts much like the HVAC filters in your house, filtering pollen, dust, and other debris from the air being pulled into the interior. Over time these filters will gradually accumulate those contaminants in the filter, and eventually can prevent air from properly flowing through.
This restriction on airflow can lead to an ineffective heater system as air is not able to pass over the heater core and into the interior at the same rate. Luckily, cabin air filters are one of the easiest components in your vehicle to replace, and swapping it out will ensure you and your passengers are receiving clean and filtered airflow free of pollen and dust.
Heater System Maintenance & Repair in Peoria, Illinois
If you notice a reduction in heater performance, or other issues with your vehicle’s climate control system, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Beachlers Tire & Automotive Center in Peoria! Our technicians have extensive experience in providing diagnostics, maintenance, and repair services on the heater systems in a wide range of makes and models.
Give us a call or schedule online today to secure your appointment with our friendly and knowledgeable team!