Heater Problems

I seem to be having an issue with my 01 Eclipse GT. For some reason the heater will not warm up when the car is sitting still. For instance this morning I let the car warm up for 15 mins and when I got into it the car was still cold. Again this only happens when the car is stopped though. If the car is moving and getting rpms the heater will kick on. Actually it seems that the faster the car is going the hotter the heater gets. But as soon as I stop at a light or stop sign the heater stops working starts blowing out cold air again. Any suggestions on what this could be?

Alan

no idea, why dont you just recirculate the air.

no idea, why dont you just recirculate the air.

Then why did you respond

From my knowledge of the car, I'm almost positive it's because the heater runs off the alternater in the car or some other form of power thats driven by a belt. If thats the case, as your RPM's rise, so does the speed of the belt therefore fluctuating the intensity of the heat. Basically, the more power, the more heat.

From my knowledge of the car, I'm almost positive it's because the heater runs off the alternater in the car or some other form of power thats driven by a belt. If thats the case, as your RPM's rise, so does the speed of the belt therefore fluctuating the intensity of the heat. Basically, the more power, the more heat.


Ok but still even at that if you start your car and let it warm up in the morning. Even with the car not running the heater will heat up and blow out warm air. Mine will not. Not matter how long it is running the car blows out cold air. Even after it has been running and driven. Once I stop cold air returns. That is not normal for any car.

I notice similar things with my car, although, it will eventually blow warm air when I let it warm up in the driveway, but it does blow much hotter air when I am doing like 60+ then when I am just driving around town. Not sure if the heater is connected to any other part of the drivetrain or what, because I know the trans will not warm up if the car is not moving, but I cant imagine the heater coil would be connected to that. Perhaps you have a bad coil, and the only reason you are getting warmer air when you are driving is because the heat in the engine bay increases, therefore the air is sucks in will be warmer. IDK, very weird that you dont get any increase in air temp when the car just idles at a stop.....might be one of those things were a shop is needed to at least diagnose the problem.

You guys are goofy.

:screwy:

The heater runs off your coolant. There is no electrical heater, because simply that would be extremely dangerous.

Now, it is important to keep your cooling system up to par, i.e. flush your fluid regularly, make sure it is at the proper level. Also your thermostat is designed to help your car heat up faster. If it is wearing down, it may not be closing all the way, in which case, your coolant won't heat up as fast. If it gets stuck closed your car will overheat. If it gets stuck open your car won't heat up for a long... long... time.

There are also products at autoparts stores that claim they can get your heater to run hotter and faster... i dont' kno much about them, except taht tehy exist.

My car as well, does not heat up for at least 15 minutes, and then driving it actually does wonders. of course my coolant system has not been maintained because i haven't had time for a shop to do it, and then i haven't added any products.

Also, the vents at the bottom of the windshield b/t it and the hood is where all air goes in for your vehicle. for A/C or Heating, that should be where it enters... so there isn't any sucking air from the engine bay either, because it wouldn't smell very good i wouldn't think.

But, as oxymoronic as it may seem. Your heating system for the inside of your vehicle runs off of your antifreeze coolant system. Just FYI. look it up on www.howstuffworks.com (http://www.howstuffworks.com) if you need any more particulars.
:2cents: