It’s cold outside, and you want to turn on your car’s heater, but it doesn’t work! What do you do? The good news is that there are easy ways to diagnose why your car’s heater isn’t working, so you can fix the problem quickly. Read on to learn more about why your car’s heater isn’t working and what you can do.
How Does my Car Heater Work?
Your vehicle’s heater is a relatively simple system that most drivers take for granted until it stops working. Your car’s heater consists of a heater core, fan, and engine coolant. Hot engine coolant is pumped through the car’s heater core, where a fan blows hot air into the cabin. The cooled coolant is then circulated back through the engine, and the process repeats itself. While this system is simple in concept, some common issues can arise which will stop it from working.
Common Issues That Cause Heater Failure
A bad thermostat is one of the most common issues that will prevent your car’s heater from working correctly. Thermostats that are stuck open or closed will disrupt the coolant flow through the engine and stop your car’s heater from working correctly. Another common issue is low or leaking coolant. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is low on coolant, there is a leak somewhere in the system, so get it checked out ASAP. Finally, the heater core can become clogged over time due to debris entering your car’s coolant. While this is not as common of an issue as a faulty thermostat, clogged heater cores can happen and usually require replacement.
Troubleshooting the Causes
Troubleshooting car heater problems is relatively simple:
- Check the coolant levels in your engine. Low coolant levels indicate a coolant leak, preventing your heater from working correctly.
- Check to see that the heater fan comes on and is working at the correct speed.
- Check the radiator to see if coolant flows while the engine is idling.
A lack of coolant flow can indicate a problem with the thermostat. If none of these is the issue, you may have a problem with the heater core itself. These repairs are usually best left to a professional. Still, an experienced DIY mechanic can usually manage heater repair without too much trouble.
Car heater problems are relatively rare, but they still happen. If you have issues with your car’s heater, see your auto care specialist before it gets too cold!