- Weak or no airflow.
- Cold air (not warm) coming through the vents when the heater is on.
- Coolant leakage visible inside the cabin or a damp smell.
Table of Contents
Where is heater control valve located?
Heater Control Valve Location The heater control valve is typically in line with the heater core’s inlet hose, which is often near the vehicle’s firewall, but the exact location of the valve will vary by vehicle.
How can you tell if a heater control valve is clogged?
- Heater doesn’t work. One of the first symptoms of a faulty heater control valve is a heater that fails to produce warm air.
- Leaking coolant.
- Erratic heater behavior.
What does BMW heater control valve do?
The heater control valve controls the flow of hot coolant to the heater core. If your vehicle has no heat and the cooling system is properly bled, the valve may be faulty (stuck closed). You may also have a situation where the vehicle has heat all the time. This may be a valve that is stuck open.
How much does it cost to fix a heater control valve?
Depending on the car you drive and the auto repair shop you go to it can cost between $181 and $250 to replace your heater control valve.
Does heater control valve affect air conditioning?
If the heater control valve fails or gets stuck, it will not be able to allow hot coolant into the heater core so that the heater can operate. If the heater does not have hot coolant the AC system will not be able to blow hot air, and the front defroster may not work.
Can a heater control valve cause no heat?
The heater will fail to produce warm air if the control valve is stuck closed, leaking or disconnected from the heater control. Follow the same steps to check if a heater core is clogged, only you’ll also want to feel the heater hoses on both sides of the valve.
Why is my car blowing out cold air when the heat is on?
Low Coolant Level The coolant (usually a mixture of water and antifreeze) in your engine doesn’t just work to keep the engine from overheating: It’s also the source of heat supporting the heating system. If there isn’t enough coolant in your system, the heater core will blow cold air into your car.
Can you bypass heater control valve?
Heater control valve bypass is not standard on vehicles; it is a modification. When bypass hoses are installed, the coolant in your car will always be circulating through the heater core – that means that if the core starts leaking, you won’t be able to turn it off.
Why is my BMW blowing cold air instead of heat?
When there’s cold air coming through your vents, it may be because your vehicle’s heater controllers are faulty. Over time and much usage, it’s common that these buttons and dials become clogged and broken, making it hard for them to send a message to heat your car. Luckily enough, this is an easy fix.
Does a clogged heater core cause overheating?
Driving with a faulty heater core can be risky, as it can lead to overheating and extensive engine damage. Even a clogged heater core can prevent proper coolant circulation, causing your engine to run hot.
Does coolant always go through heater core?
Modern heater systems have the coolant flowing through the heater core all the time. The temperature and direction of the heating or cooling is controlled by electric or vacuum flaps.
How much does a heater valve cost?
$350 – $595, Installed Replacement of your furnace gas valve cost between $350 to $595 installed by an HVAC company near you. DIY gas valve replacement cost around $65 buying the part online and replacing it yourself.
How long does it take to replace a gas control valve?
Labor cost to replace gas control valve Plumbers charge $45 to $150 per hour for labor, with minimum service fees of $50 to $200. Replacing a gas control valve takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
How much is it to replace a coolant valve?
The average cost for heater control valve replacement is between $469 and $491. Labor costs are estimated between $83 and $105 while parts are priced at $386. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
What controls the heater valve?
The heater control valve (sometimes called the hot water valve) is used to control the rate at which coolant flows through the heater core. The valve is located on the heater inlet hose. Manually operated systems may use a cable, a vacuum motor or an electric solenoid to operate the valve.
Is a heater control valve necessary?
Not all cars have a heater control valve The motion of the blend door balances the amount of hot and cool air coming through the interior vents, based on the climate control system settings chosen. In a blend door system, the heater is always on, so a heater control valve is not necessary to regulate its output.
How do you test an expansion valve on a car?
You need to raise the temperature of the sensing bulb to determine if the expansion valve is activating. One easy way is to simply drop it in a cup of warm water. Otherwise, you can simply hold the bulb in your hand throughout the duration of the test.
Is there a fuse for the heater in my car?
A: Your car’s heater does indeed have a fuse. You can check to see if the heater fuse is shot by looking inside your fuse box. You’ll need your car’s dusty manual to find out where your fuse box is and which fuse is for the heater.
How do you diagnose a heater problem?
- Check the Coolant. Low coolant can’t reach the heater core and generate warm air.
- Assess the Heater Core. Make sure heater hoses are in good shape.
- Inspect the Water Pump.
- Listen to the Fan.
- Look for Blown Fuses.
How do I fix my fan heater blowing cold air?
Check or replace the batteries inside the thermostat. Not all thermostats use batteries, but those that do depend on them to work. Adjust the fan switch; try setting it to auto – it may not be in the heating cycle. Check the temperature around where the thermostat lives.
Can a vacuum leak cause no heat?
A vacuum leak, either a severe one in the engine or a small one in the blend door array under the dash, will keep the air doors from opening, so that turning the heater on won’t give you any heat, or possibly sending heat to the wrong vents.
Can you replace a heater core yourself?
Heater core replacement is quite a task for a DIY mechanic, but you can do it with the right tools and enough time. Alternatively, it can be an expensive bill from your local mechanic, so it’s worth a shot to save hundreds of dollars if you have some wrenching skills.
Can low antifreeze cause no heat?
First, check your coolant level to be sure there is enough liquid in there to even get to your heater core. If your radiator is very low on coolant, you’ll get no heat. If your levels are okay, you either have a bad water pump or a thermostat that isn’t opening.
Can you drive a car without a heater core?
You can still drive on with the condition; however, you should not, for a long time. The heater core uses the engine’s coolant, and a faulty heater core affects the cooling effect which then raises the temperature. Not curing the issue and continue to drive the vehicle this way can lead to further engine damage.