No HEAT - HELP

[nichols45]

1994 LE with no heat coming out of vents. Fan works. Heat gauge reads normal levels and fluid is to correct level. Top hose is hot but lower hose is COLD. I get a LITTLE heat when I turn the engine off for a few minutes but turns cold real fast. Any suggestions on a fix? Its -15 in Alaska this week and I need to get some heat going.

[dreager]

Always post mileage.

Has thermostat been changed?

[nichols45]

Was replaced last summer but not since this problem started. Not sure on miliage as it is a recyled Japanise engine.

[dreager]

Any smell off coolant in car ? (heater core)
Here are some related threads.As you can see if can be multiple issues:

Vent door?

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...highlight=vent

"The air duct in the dash has probably came disconnected from the middle vents. In some cases, this can be fixed by removing the dash,"

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=no+heat

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=no+heat

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=no+heat

"I removed the climate control panel and proceded to dissamble it. I found and resoldered a number of bad solder joints on a circuit board the connector was soldered to. Put it all back together and it worked great. It also fixed blinking panel lights."

"I have a '93 with a similar low heat symptom. The heat works best if the fan is on low. With the fan up high it blows colder. Makes me think either the core is partially clogged or the heater valve is faulty."

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=no+heat

"The "blower motor resistor" is located under the dash on the passenger side of the vehicle. Follow the wiring from the blower motor back and you should see the resistor. It will have 1 electrical connector on it and 1 screw holding it in. It's usually in the path of the fan housing itself since the fan blowing on it helps keep it cool and lenghten it's life. I believe this is a dealer only part."

That'll keep you going 'till a pro comments.
Good luck

[typesix]

Not familiar with this year Camry, but heat is regulated by 2 methods, blend door or water valve. Air blend door will always send 100% water flow to heater coil and regulate air thru heater coil, while water valve will vary the flow. If this Camry has water valve, check to see that it opens wide, it is usually mounted on one of the heater hoses, when wide open, both hoses should be about same temp.
If this Camry has air blend door, there will be nothing on the two hoses and they should be about the same temp all the time.
Having one cold hose could mean the heater core is plugged, sometimes backflushing(running coolant in reverse direction) the core will clean it, but my own experience with backflushing was not successful and my heater core(not a Camry) had to be replaced.
Good Luck.

[jdmccright]

The climate control hot/cold dial is cable-connected to a flow valve that meters coolant into the heater core. It is located near the firewall on the driver's side. Look for two 1" diameter hoses going through the firewall.

Make sure that valve works properly. When open, both hoses should be hot, but if stuck closed only the valved hose will be warm. The cable could have come off the valve or broken due to use (it is plastic and it's frickin' cold up there, so it gets severely heat-cycled).

I'd also check that the thermostat was installed correctly, with the little jiggle valve that goes through the plate at the 12 o'clock position and the plunger going in first.

Finally, make sure there are no air bubbles in the system by parking slightly uphill and let it cool. Then open the radiator cap, fill it full, then squeeze the upper radiator hose slowly to expel any air bubbles. Refill & squeeze repeatedly until the coolant level just rises and falls and no more bubbles come out.

Hope this helps!