It might not snow in Florida, but when the weather turns cold, you want that heat up in your car. But if you turn it on and it keeps blowing out cold air, or doesn’t come on at all, you’re likely to get upset. There are a few things that can go wrong though, some of them easy to handle while
Here are 5 things to check when your car heater isn’t working.
1. Coolant level
It might seem odd that your car needs the coolant it uses to cool your engine during those hot and sticky Florida days, but during the winter, the coolant moves from the engine to the heater core. It should feel cool the first few minutes because your engine needs to warm up to heat up the coolant. However, if it continues to blow cold, check the coolant level. If there’s not enough, it won’t be able to give it to the heater core.
2. Heater core
Another more complicated car heater problem could be the heater core. If you check your coolant level and it’s fine, then you need to check the car heater. You might have a problem with the heater core if you find fog inside your car, smell a fruity-type of odor, you’ve replaced the coolant and it is being used very quickly, or your engine is overheating.
3. Broken or clogged controls
If your car is older or has been put to good use, the heater control buttons can stop working as can the heater control valve. You may get lucky and be able to get these things unstuck but most likely, it will be best if you replace it.
4. Thermostat malfunction
Does your thermostat still read “C” after you’ve allowed the car to warm up? This means the thermostat is broken. The good news is they’re mostly cheap and easy to fix.
5. Water leak
Hoses, water pumps, and radiators can all incur damages after time. If any of these are leaking, you’ll likely have a car heater problem.
It might not always get cold in Florida, but when it does, if your car heater doesn’t work, it’s a miserable experience. It’s even worse when you turn it on and nothing happens. Plus, even if you think you can deal with the lack of heat during our short winter, these problems tend to lead to bigger problems. It’s best to let us at Main Street Automotive help you now, before a bigger, costlier problem arises.
At Main Street Automotive, we’re family-owned and operated and will treat you like family to help you get your car running right on the road today. Come on in and see us!
