Reader Question I am having trouble with my heater in my 2003 Chevy Impala it takes so long for my heater to work if if it ever works.

My temp gauge goes all the way to half way mark but blows cold air then sometimes the gauge gets lower to about a quarter of the way and it starts getting warm.but it mostly blows cold air should it be my thermostat

Tony

Hello there Tony,

The a/c and heating systems on cars today are pretty complex. 10 years ago replacing the thermostat usually did the trick, but today there are electric motors that operate the “blend doors” inside the dash…directing air flow from the heater core and A/C evaporator core to the cab of the vehicle. Always start by checking the actual coolant level inside the radiator itself to make sure it is full.

Then feel the upper and lower radiator hoses to see if they are hot (when the engine has been running awhile and has reached normal operating temperature), then feel the two heater hoses leading into the cab of the vehicle to see if they are both hot as well.

If you feel a drastic difference in one of the radiator hoses, I would try replacing the thermostat and see what happens. If all the heater and radiator hoses are pretty much the same temperature I would suspect there to be a control problem in the dash controls or in the blend door operation and a visit to you dealer or a qualified mechanic is my recommendation.

Here is more about heaters.

Why is My Heater Not Hot

Blessings,

Austin Davis

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Filed under: A/C and Heating

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