Heater Blowing Cold Air

[fixit1070]

My 2001 SE heater stops blowing hot air when I stop at a light or stop driving.Within a few seconds of stopping the heater blows cold air.Can any one tell me what might be going on ?The temperature guage on the dash is normal and the van has normal heat while moving.

Thanks,
Matt

[busboy4]

Originally Posted by fixit1070

My 2001 SE heater stops blowing hot air when I stop at a light or stop driving.Within a few seconds of stopping the heater blows cold air.Can any one tell me what might be going on ?The temperature guage on the dash is normal and the van has normal heat while moving.

Thanks,
Matt

Hi Matt,

first rule of heat problems is always coolant level. Even though your guage is not indicating hot, start by making sure the coolant is fully serviced.

good luck

[fixit1070]

I did have the coolant system flushed and new coolant added before the winter time here in NJ and it was not till a few months later that the van started acting up.I do notice that the radiator cooling fan runs more often if I stop and leave the car running for a short time.

I was wondering if the water pump going bad would cause theses symptoms ?


Any help would be appriecated, I will double check the coolant level again.


Thanks

[busboy4]

Hi Matt

classic water pump problems are coolant leakage at the pump shaft. Not that it would be impossible for a pump to have a "soft" failure where it would lose effectiveness at low RPM, but I have never heard of such. They seem to work great right up until they fail; usually seal failure and hence coolant loss.

[missy5702]

I am having the exact same problem. We have had the radiator flushed, changed hoses, changed the thermostat, heater core seamed to be working.

Have you figured out what the problem was with yours?

Thanks

[garync1]

Have you ruled out the blend door.. Does it blow cold,not warm at all.???Do you hear a thumping sound when you change the temp controls.? If so i have a post on here how to change it.. I have a 2001 and had to replace the blend door motor not a hard fix you will need to drop the glove box down and pull the radio.. Have pics link with the photos to show what you are looking at..The part runs about 56.00 at dealer no other auto parts store stock it that I know of...hope this helps...

[missy5702]

I do get some heat when going down the van is driving down the road but it is minimul.
The guy that I have had do the work on it didn't think it was the blend door.
I'm just glad it's starting to get warm outside. I have a few more months before I have to deal with it again.

[fixit1070]

As previously stated I had the coolant serviced, I did find the level in the tank low and as I went to add more to get the level correct I wound up adding 1 gallon.I guees when they did the flush it must have had air pockets that took several months to work out.I repaired the blendoor motor last fall when it was clicking when the system was on.

Thanks For all the assiatance, I overlooked the obvious