BCS Workshop

A car heating system not working can be a pain. It\'s no fun sitting in a car that feels frozen and cold. But before driving to the nearest auto shop, give it a quick inspection first. With just a few minutes of work, you may be able to fix – or at least identify the source of - your car\'s heating problems on your own. However, to effectively resolve the malfunctioning of your car\'s heater, you are first required to have a basic understanding of how it works and what could be wrong with it. 

If you are not sure what you are looking for when checking for a car heating not working, then it is a good idea to use this guide to overview your car\'s heating system and issues that may arise.

Why does a car\'s heater stop working?

It is essential to understand the issues of car heating systems to solve the issues of your car\'s heating system. It will help you diagnose the problem faster and save money on services. Below you will find explanations for some of the most common reasons why a car heating system can stop working.

> Low coolant.

> A stuck blend door.

> A stuck heater valve.

> A bad switch or linkage.

> A blockage in the heater core.

If your car\'s heater isn\'t blowing any air, then there is likely a problem with the blower motor or electrical connections. If you\'re experiencing this problem, self-diagnosing can save you a trip to the mechanic.

How can I fix a car heater that is not working?

Spending time in the cold lets your car know you hate it. It may take years before you can get that grudging friendship back. You don\'t have to put up with it any longer. Several problems may prevent your heater from warming up a cold car daily. 

Check the heater core temperature

Faulty heater hoses or cooling components can cause the temperature gauge to rise, especially when the engine is idling. Thus, check the radiator and coolant-recirculating system for leaks and proper function. A faulty thermostat might stick open, allowing excessive coolant to escape into the cylinder head before reaching the heater core. If one heater hose is cooler, the core might be blocked with debris or collapse from corrosion.

Check the coolant level

Never top off the coolant. The coolant should be at most half a quart low. After you\'ve let the engine cool completely, remove the coolant refill cap and fill the reservoir to just above the orange mark. Close the cap and check your coolant level in a day or two. Adding too much coolant can cause an overflow when you start your car again, allowing it to spill onto the engine and start a fire.

Check if there\'s debris in the heater box.

Hot antifreeze flowing through a heater core can cause debris such as leaves, pine needles, and road debris to become stuck in the engine compartment. You must remove it to allow the coolant to flow freely — without debris clogging up the heater core — so your vehicle\'s temperature can remain even. You can remove the residue using a spray lubricant, a length of flexible tubing attached to a vacuum cleaner or compressed air.

Switch the thermostat from hot to cold

If hot antifreeze flows through the heater core and into the heater box, debris such as leaves, road debris and pine needles might accumulate. The transmission gets its fluid from two separate tanks — one forward and one rear. The amount of fluid in these tanks is controlled by a pair of electrically-operated valves (also known as blend doors). It constantly opens and closes to direct fluid to where it\'s needed.

How to fix a car heater that isn\'t blowing any air?

A faulty blower motor or electrical connection could be to blame if the heater is not blowing air. To fix it, follow these steps: 

Inspect if the blower motor collects power

It is easy to diagnose a faulty blower motor in most vehicles. Take some essential diagnostic tools and access the blower motor by removing the vents or, if necessary, the glove box. Next, check whether it receives power from a circuit breaker, relay or other sources. If no power comes from there, use an ohm meter to test the wiring between the blower and its power source. If that checks out okay, contact your car dealer or a qualified repair shop to have the blower replaced. 

If the blower motor receives power, check to see if it is burned out.

If the blower motor is not working in your Mazda vehicle, check to ensure the switch is still connected and try testing it with a multimeter. If the blower is burned out, you can replace it fairly quickly. After removing the old part, test the new one to ensure it works. There are several different types of motors, but most require placing a new pigtail assembly on top of them, reconnecting wires, and making any necessary mechanical adjustments. Therefore, it is advisable to seek assistance from Mazda car services for expert handling of this issue.

If the blower does not receive power, check the blower fuse.

When a fuse blows, it\'s often the result of an underlying problem. Only replace it with a larger one to prevent it from blowing out again. Thus, replace the fuse with one of the same amperages and see if it goes out. If so, the fuse likely failed due to age. If the original fuse is not blown and there are no other signs of an issue (such as tripped breakers), trace the problem to its source by testing the resistor, relay, and switch.

Conclusion

In conclusion, for your car\'s heater to work right, you should know the problem you are experiencing. If the engine isn\'t putting out enough heat, there may be electrical issues, but if it\'s overheating, causing the fan to kick on too soon, it could be a clogged radiator hose. After you figure out the issue and suspect your car\'s heating system is not working, take your vehicle to a professional car mechanic in Melbourne, and they can diagnose it further.