2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Heater is not very hot

[Bpostel]

Now that it's cold outside the heater has decided not to work very well. It's blowing warm air but just not very warm. Played with the controls a little, worked them back and forth. The blower seems to be working from low to high. The compressor clutch doesn't seem to be kicking on. I think it used to make a noise when it kicked on and you could hear it kicking on when you would stand outside but now nothing. I don't think the A/C is kicking on either. Any ideas?

 

[wtrenholm]

The AC clutch won't cycle at cold ambient temps. As temps drop so does the pressure in the refrig system, and the low pressure switch prevents the PCM from running the compressor. The clutch will cycle a little around 35 degrees but with such low heat load it won't be a lot.



Does the temp guage read normal engine temp, if not you probably need a new t-stat.



Also they won't make heat if allowed to sit at curb idle, my '01 needs to be at 1200 RPM to maintain 170 degrees.



Wayne

 

[monkeyman]

For what its worth I had a 1996 that I found the door that lets fresh air in was partially open so that it would let cold air in and mix with heater air. Check that.

Rick

 

[Bpostel]

Thanks for the info. The temp gauge is reading ok. Sometimes it will go over to 190 then it will go back down between 190 and the next lowest line. The door that lets the air mix together is under the dash somewhere? What do you do to check it?

 

[The patriot]

The heat on my 98 has never been fantastic.

I really dont notice it unless it's around 0 deg F out.

Then it has to run on high to keep it bearable in the cab.

I think 50 55 deg F (in the cab) is OK for driving. I like it cool, keeps me awake.

Eric

 

[ttbird]

Don't know how cold it gets where you are but a cold front will make your heater work much better. You can add panels as the temp drops. Have never overheated plus they are easy to install or uninstall. Worth the cash to be comfortable. Plus they help warm up the truck faster.

 

[Bpostel]

Replaced the t-stat today and no change. I thought it may be the flap that controls the fresh air vent, but it moves back and forth when I rotate the knob from cold to warm. As far as backflushing the heater core, I just take both hoses off from it and use a garden hose to flush it out? Does it matter what side I put the water in?

 

[TravisG]

Brent- roll your windows up!!! :-laf See ya soon. Good luck w/ the heater. I guess I will be needing mine soon.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Check your coolant level, too. When mine blew cool air I found I had a leaky HG and needed a retorque and some more coolant.

 

[scotmartin]

Replaced the t-stat today and no change... ... QUOTE]



I had the same problem with an old Ford F-150. I had replaced the radiator a few months earlier (in the summer) because the truck was overheating. The cooling system had not been properly maintained. The garbage that had built up on the inside of the radiator had also built up inside the heater core; therefore, my heat was never as warm ar is used to be. I even went so far as to flush the core with a garden hose, but it didn't help.



I hope you don't have the problem I had.

 

[ViperJay]

Now that it's cold outside the heater has decided not to work very well. It's blowing warm air but just not very warm. Played with the controls a little, worked them back and forth. The blower seems to be working from low to high. The compressor clutch doesn't seem to be kicking on. I think it used to make a noise when it kicked on and you could hear it kicking on when you would stand outside but now nothing. I don't think the A/C is kicking on either. Any ideas?

Had the same problem in my '95... . At first I thought it was because the coolent was not getting warm enough on the ten minute trip to work... was about to put cardboard in front of the radiator when the temp control knob fell off onto the floor.



Du-oh... it had cracked and was spinning on the temp control post. $9 at the local Dodge parts counter for a new knob (I actually bought two and replaced the top one also, as it must be about to crack too, right?). I slid the new control knob on..... turned it to the right and wa-la... ..... heat!



May not be your issue, but it is one most of us would forget to think about!

 

[Bpostel]

Starting to wonder if it's the blend air door. One day there was a "clunk" noise from the dash and out of no where the heat was actually hot. I rotated the temp selector knob back and forth and I can see the shaft to it move about 1/2 turn. If I take that motor out can I move the blend door manually to see if it's getting stuck or not moving at all?