Why Isn't My Vehicle's Air Heater Working?

Grand Rapids has already seen its first snowfall even before the official start of winter. Though it was short-lived, there will be plenty more to follow before spring arrives in West Michigan. Therefore, making sure your vehicle's heater is in good working order makes the difference between a comfortable winter, or bundling up every time you go for a drive. Not to mention, you'd have difficulty clearing the windshield every morning!

This article briefly explains how your vehicle's heater works, plus some common issues within its systems that cause your heater to stop blowing warm air.

How Your Vehicle's Heater Works: In A Nutshell

Ever wonder how your vehicle makes the heat that comes out of the vents? If you're familiar with how radiators work, it's quite simple. 

 

When your engine is running, it produces heat. So much of it in fact that if the heat isn't released, the engine will warp and damage itself. That's why you have a radiator and coolant. The coolant is pumped through a series of hoses that absorb the heat and as it passes through the wound-up pipes of the radiator, a fan cools the liquid coolant and blows it out the front grille.

 

However, there is a smaller radiator toward the back of the engine called the heater core, which does the same thing but the heat is sucked out of the engine bay and blown into the cabin with fans.

 

Why Isn't My Heater Blowing Warm Air Anymore?

If your heater isn't working anymore, there could be any number of reasons. Rest assured that the highly-trained and friendly technicians at the Borgman Service Center will get to the bottom of it, but here are a few common causes.

 

Your Coolant Levels Are Low

As we explained above, coolant passing through the heater core is what supplies the heat to the cabin of your vehicle. If your coolant level is low, it could be that you have a leak somewhere or your engine needs a new gasket. If this is the case, coolant is being allowed to mix with the engine oil and is burning up with the gasoline. You might notice thick, white, sweet-smelling smoke from your tailpipe if this is the case.

 

Coolant can degrade over time, but if you're filling the coolant reservoir often, it is a critical issue that needs to be addressed by the Borgman Service Center as soon as possible.

 

It Could Be An Issue With The Heater Core Itself

If your coolant level is fine, there might be a clog within the heater core's tubes. A flush might resolve the issue, but replacing the heater core can be an expensive repair.

 

If your heater core is going out, you might notice a fog, or a sweet, almost fruity smell coming from the vents. Other symptoms include the engine overheating or unexplained coolant loss.

 

Alternatively, a faulty thermostat could be causing the cooling system to not switch lines and supply the heater core with hot coolant. Luckily, the thermostat is a relatively inexpensive fix.

 

It Could Also Be A Problem With Your Controls

If your temperature-selector, whether analog or digital, isn't getting the signal from the dial to your vehicle, then you won't get any hot air. Or, you might only get hot air when you don't want it - such as during the summer.

 

This can be caused by debris gumming up the inner-workings of the dial or some fault within your head unit. If you suspect this might be the case, let us know and our technicians will look into it.
 

Enjoy A Warm, Comfortable Winter with the Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids, MI

If your heater isn't blowing hot air like it used to, schedule an appointment today and get back to driving safely and comfortably in the cold weather. Your heater does keep you warm, but it also keeps your windshield clear of ice and fog, so issues with your heater pose safety concerns as well.

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to help you with all of your automotive needs. Use our easy Online Appointment Scheduler to plan your visit or head over to our Service Specials for the latest offers. Come see why we're the Best in the West!