Suppose that the summer is gone, so you want to ensure that you will be provided with enough warmth inside the car, but you get frustrated and ask: why does my car heater not work? You are certain this worked just fine last year, but curveballs are thrown at you now.
At this time, you want to ensure that the car heater is working correctly. Fortunately, it is easy to understand the configuration of a water heater. Your car’s heating system includes the HVAC controls, coolant system, heater fan, and heater core.
The heater core draws the hot coolant as the fan blows the heater towards the cabin while the cool coolant goes back into the system. But even if the system is as simple as that, many issues may still arise and cause the heating system’s malfunction. Read below and find out the problem you face.
8 Common Causes Why Does Your Car Heater Not Work
You cannot correct it without identifying the root-like any other issue. So, why does my car heater not work? Let us walk through the common causes of your car heater not working.
#1. Low coolant
One common issue is the low coolant or antifreeze. If the level of coolant drops, hot fluid will not reach the system’s heater core which is why the cabin stays cold. This usually takes place when the car engine works hard and overheats. It also takes place when the coolant is not filled correctly.
#2. Faulty thermostat
A broken or faulty thermostat is a common cause while the car fails to produce heat. When the thermostat is stuck close or open, it will affect the heat. Still, the cooling system of the vehicle will also be affected. It will either be uncomfortable for you or think your engine is broken.
#3. The heater fan is faulty
Even if there is enough antifreeze or coolant inside the system’s heater core, there is a possibility that your heater fan will break or experience a short circuit. There will be no heat blown inside the cabin in such a case.
#4. The heater core is clogged
This occurs less often as compared to the other issues mentioned above. The particles and debris end up inside your coolant system clog the heater core. It occurs when the radiator starts to corrode inside, or some debris ends inside it and camps towards the system’s heater. Whichever the case may be, you may need to refurbish the heater core. But you may end up replacing it right away.
#5. The fan motor resistor is faulty
The faulty motor resistor can mean that you will face some issues. For instance, you will not get any air at all. Not only that, but you will also have problems setting the fan’s speed.
#6. Leaky radiator
If there is a leak in the radiator, the coolant may not reach the heater core. What’s worse is that the engine will get damaged.
#7. Blown fuses or faulty wiring
This is the same situation when your HVAC controls get broken. The wiring of your car may have a short circuit. It means that the heater will not be triggered if you request your heater to function.
#8. Defective HVAC Controls
The touchscreens, knobs, or buttons of your car are not triggering your heating system. Bad touchscreens, broken dials, and shorts can cause the malfunctioning of your heater. This might also prevent it from working.
FAQs
Here are the common questions answered:
#1. How to heat your car if you don’t have a heater?
Well, you cannot heat your car without a heater. To warm the vehicle, you need to have a space heater. May it be propane or electric. Do not try the hacks you see on the internet.
#2. Does the heater of my car include a fuse?
Yes, all car heaters come with a fuse. You can look inside the fuse box to check whether it is shot. Refer to the manual to know where the fuse is located and which one is for your car heater. Know more if your car heater not blowing hot air.
#3. How frequent to flush the coolant?
As a general rule, flushing should be done once every five years or every 100,000 miles of travel. But when you face issues with the heat in the car or if it overheats, you can flush it.
#4. How much will it cost to have the heater core fixed?
You only need to pay for the new parts if you do this yourself. But if you have it fixed professionally, you will face a bill ranging from 800 to 1,000 dollars.
#5. What is the lifespan of a heater core?
On average, a heater core can last for 10 to 15 years. But if you strain it or do not fix the issue as soon as it occurs, like when it does not produce heat, then the lifespan will be shorter.
It’s A Wrap!
After I figured out the cause why does my car heater not work, I did something about it immediately. I recommend that you do the same so that the issue will not become worse.
You may also be interested to know about why is my car heater not working and how to make car heater warm up faster.