Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Heater Problems. TC lockup problems. Could they be related?

[Blacksdieselhp]

Well, i have a 99 auto. The heater will not blow hot air. The heater core just busted and I replaced it, but still no hot air. All of the controls and doors are working properly. The TC also locks and unlocks repeatedly. I talked to a transmission guy today and he said that he had worked on a dodge that shuddled in and out of lockup and come to find out it was the coolant temp sending unit was bad and the thermostat was bad. He replaced these two parts and it fixed the transmission problems. Does anyone have any info on this, or has anyone delt with or heard of this before? It sounds odd, but I guess it could be a possibilty. Any help will be appreciated.