Folks, we've had our 2003 2.7 sebring for just over a year now and it's been pretty good as a second car. However, we've had a heating problem since we bought it and and struggled through last winter but don't want to do the same this year.

In a nutshell, the car doesn't give hot air, just mildly warm and not enough for a cold winter. It also takes quite some time to warm up but get's to the right temp eventually and sits there fine, which suggests to me anyway that the thermostat is ok.

I've checked the pipes running into the car and they both seem to be warm.

Any ideas? Heater core? Thermostat?
I'd like to change the thermostat anyway so is that a DIY job or not?

Thanks

 

Changing the thermostat on a 2.7 is not as easy as it should be. Basically, it involves removing the alternator. The thermostat housing is not on top of the engine but rather is underneath and a bugger to get to. If you think you may be up to the task, get either a shop manual or a Haynes manual and study it to decide whether you feel it's a DIY project for you.
Low heat output could be a problem with low antifreeze levels, or possibly with the blend door in the heater not operating properly. That in turn could be a problem with the blend door motor or the control head or the wiring, or even the body computer since they decided to let the computer get involved in the heater operation.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yep, I'm going to start with the thermostat and see what happens. Booking it in for a diagnostic so hopefully that will fix.

 

FYI, shop time on that 2.7 t-stat is 2.0 hours labor. Be prepared ...lol

 

Folks,

Some progress, albeit small. I replaced the heater control unit today and there's defo some improvement, maybe significant!

However, after I did a calibration, I got the code AC 48 flashing on the speedometer. I've done a google search and that code means a/c control switch not grounded or something but I have no idea at all what that means?

Advice?

Thanks

 

Check the black and gray wire coming out of the control head, make sure it has a good ground.

 

Did you ever get code AC 48 figured out?
I have the same code.