No Heat with 2001 Century

[tony17112acst]

I have a 2001 Century but the heat just stopped working today and it was only 7 degrees today!

Here are the facts/symptoms:

(1) When I hit the gas, I get some heat. When I let it idle, no heat;

(2) The "Low Coolant" light comes on sometimes;

(3) I filled the overflow tank with coolant (Dexcool/water) and some of it got pulled into the system till it stopped, but still have little/no heat;

(4) "Low Coolant" light still comes on even after filling overflow tank.

(5) The temperature guage never gets too high (stays at about half way);

What else could it be? A bad water pump? If so, why would the Low Coolant light still come on. I haven't driven it after filling the overflow tank up, just let it idle 10 minutes.

Any ideas/help would be VERY welcomed! Thanks! -Tony

[GTP Dad]

It sounds like you may have air in the cooling system. That is why the low coolant light is coming on and you don't have heat. Find the coolant system bleeder screw, usually on top of the thermostat housing. Start the car and let it warm up with the heater on high. Open the screw and leave it open until coolant comes out. You should get some air when it is open. Repeat this a couple of times until you only get coolant. Once the air is out the heat should work.

The other possibilities are a bad water pump or stuck thermostat.

[tony17112acst]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I found the bleeder valve and let it out and I got coolant immerdiately, so the system looks like it's filled.

My wife will drive the car tomorrow and report to me whether the "Low Coolant" light comes on or not.

I'll post my findings in a few days. Thanks again! -Tony