91 caravan no front heat but has rear heat

[yukon6inchlift]

no front heat out of anything. only mildly warm. rear heat works fine. any ideas where to start looking?? thanks

[Epistemology]

If I remember correctly, the front and rear heater use separate heater cores. So, the heater core in the front *might* be bad.

First, check your coolant level. If that's good, see if the lever for AC/heat select works okay. If it moves too freely or really hard, there could be a problem. So, you'll need to take apart your dash a bit to get to your heater box. You'll see a cable going from the selector to the heater box to open/close the door that exposes the heater core to the air. Make sure that door is open.

If air is getting through the heater core, then you're heater core may be bad. You can take off the heater box cover to feel the heater core.

Let us know how it goes.

[Epistemology]

On second thought, because it is mildly warm, that's an indication that either the door to the heater isn't opening fully to expose the heater, or your heater core is clogged/has poor flow. Check any connections to the heater core.

I would say check the thermostat on the block, but you say rear heat works.

Make sure your AC isn't running (take off the belt, disable the clutch, etc).

[yukon6inchlift]

thanks. i'm thinking the heater box selector moves too hard. have changed thermostat. sounds like i'll try the heater box first. i will check on the 2 heater cores

[yukon6inchlift]

thanks Epistemology !!! it was a friend of mines van. told her what you said and she moved the heat lever back and forth a few times and that door must have opened be cause she had front heat after. lol i think this was going to be the 3rd or 4th winter she didnt have heat!!! vbmenu_register("postmenu_5875477", true);

[Epistemology]

You're welcome. I'm glad it worked. However, the problem will probably happen again/get worse. If too much force is applied to the heater lever, you'll literally break the plastic piece holding the cable to the selector lever, You probably should oil the cable and make sure the door moves properly.