No heat in 1976

Starwind · 11-26-2002, 11:07 AM

The defrost works fine, but no heat. I feel the heater hoses and they never seem to get hot. I checked the fluid level of the anitfreeze, I had to add a little to bring up to full. Even afte that still no added heat in the heater hoses. There is a vacuum type thing on the heater hose, i beleive this one to be the inlet hose as it comes from the back of the engine to the vacuum thing and then the heater core. The heater core was just recently replaced so I know it is good. Any ideas or things I can check. My next thing to check on is the vacuum lines that run from the back of the interior selection unit in the dash. But really all t hose lines look rather new. TIA.

Georgehere · 11-26-2002, 08:21 PM

Starwind...My '88CDV has a heater control valve right in front of the firewall, which started to seep rusty coolant and was easy to replace. It's a brass looking item with two heater hoses attached to it and a very small vacuum line to control it. Cost about $14. My Climate Control worked fine even with the leak, but if your vacuum line is bad or disconnected, you would not get heat when you need it. Look for yours and at $14 it would not be an expensive replacement.

Starwind · 11-27-2002, 11:12 AM

George, you hit the nail right on the head. I took out that part last night and yup it was rusted shut. No anitfreeze was ewven flowing to the heater core. The only other problem I have now is with the vacuum system and the charging system. but having heat makes the ride tolerable now. Thanks for the response. :urock:

Georgehere · 11-27-2002, 09:04 PM

Jeremy..Sure feels good to help solve a problem. I've only had my '88CDV since the 1st of Nov, and like all used cars there's always something not working. Had no parking lights up front or front side markers (blown #10 fuse). No right turn blinking (loose plug in front socket), but still don't have the courtesy alarm chime or opera lights.
Oddly enough, the '88 is one of my farovites, but I was not looking for one when I lucked up on this one. Was pricing the '94,95,96 Impala SS as I had a '58 Impala years ago, but they're are still bringing $11-12,000 in this area (Orlando) and higher with low mileage. So that's more than I can spend. Tip...When you go to reline your brakes, get your digital camera and get good tight shot of the assembly before you start to tear it down. Then print it (left and right wheel), and you will reassemble it correctly. Every time I gat half way through, I have to fine a photo of it in the manual. This is useful in any area (electronics) you need an instant image. Wow! Didn't mean to run on.

Starwind · 11-29-2002, 11:01 AM

George, you can send photos to my yahoo address, jd43ss@yahoo-no-spam.com. You know what to take out.

New problem for me just occured last night. I think the tranny let go oether that or it is overfilled. Had to get towed home lastnight, what a bummer. Thanks goodness for AAA. Going to try to get the tranny out in the next month or so and get it to the shop. The car only has 94000 on it, but who knows how long it sat before it got to me. I believe the tranny is a 3 speed PowerGlide so there ought to be a bunch of shops that can handle the rebuild. And now since my daily driver Honda Civic's clutch went south and a semi-functioning tranny in the Caddy I am forced to drive the Impala. I guess I needed to wash it anyway.

Hope you had a Happy Turkey George, and I look forward to seeing the pics.

delamothe · 12-01-2002, 10:03 AM

The 1976 Caddy has a turbo hydramatic 400.

Starwind · 12-02-2002, 10:35 AM

Did not know that. Thanks for the info.

Does that make it easier or more difficult to work on?

delamothe · 12-03-2002, 01:58 PM

Easier as far as parts, replacement, etc. The TH400 was the standard on all full size GM cars of 1968-1976. (Cad Olds Buick)

And of course, you can find all kinds of parts and add ons for them. Fom Summit Racing to Jegs, etc.

Starwind · 12-03-2002, 02:06 PM

Sweet. This thing will be bullet-proof when I am finshed with it.

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