Technical Car heater problem! help!

[henna786]

Hi Guys,

I have a problem with my cars heater. Not sure what it could be but it was recently working, and then all of a sudden it stopped and hasnt been working for a week or so. Then today as i was driving the heater started blowing air out and seemed to be working like normal, but im worried it will stop working...what could be the problem? I'm a woman driver and dont want to get ripped off by the garages...is there a simple solution to this?

 

[a1ant]

Hi,

When you say the heater isnt working, do you mean its not blowing out hot air? or that its not blowing out ANY air on any of the speeds 1-4?

Alan

 

[henna786]

well it blows out some air...but very lightly....i can feel the heat but i couldn't hear the fan working. and then all of a sudden today the fan was going and air was coming out and all the controls were working fine..

 

[a1ant]

Hi,

Strange question, but were your sidelights coming on instead of the fan when it wasnt working? And how far do you want to go with the diagnosis? ie do you want instructions on how to test various things with a multi-meter etc, or just advice on what it may be so that your armed with some knowledge when you take it to the garage?

A very simple check that you can try yourself is to have a look at THIS guide. The fan is located in the passenger footwell. If you look at the pictures in the guide, it will show you how to get at it. The power connector for the motor is at the bottom (2nd pic) and is easily kicked by a passenger if they have big feet. Check its in securely.

Alan

 

[s and b]

is it possible youve never tried it on full fan?
all the other settings go through a rheostat next to the motor under the glovey box,these wires go brittle with age and heat and so sometimes make the fan work again if they move in their position like passengers big feet,that old maccy dee wrapper floating in the flotsam of the passenger footwell or of course that big speed bump you hit at 30 mph today and you shouted wheeee as the car rose in the air like a vestial beast only to roar from its fan afterwards

 

[henna786]

Apologies for the late reply,

My sidelights were not coming on. I think it could possibly be a wiring problem because sometimes its working all fine and other times its not working at all. I won't have time to do the checks...and I no little about cars....

could you give me some advice on what I could say to the mechanics... I don't want them to charge me a bomb for something that could be a few lose wires...

 

[oldhammer]

Tbh.iwouid just ask them to check the connector to the heater motor,
id bet its melted on the earth side,