No Heat; Blower Works
 

'05 Pacifica. Blower fan works fine, but there is no heat. The thermostat is the climate control/separate passenger/driver control. The car is in St. Louis for a week while I'm in Chicago, but the wife is threatening to take it to the dealer. Why no heat? Could low antifreeze level cause this? Or a fuse? Or a relay? Or a water pump? Wild guesses I know. Any ideas/answers much appreciated.

Weekend Wrench

yes check coolant level first

Thanks Kevin. My brother-in-law is going to check and fill the antifreeze, then run the car and check the heat. He's also going to monitor for antifreeze leakage. It makes sense. When my sister-in-law drove it back from the airport (my wife is flying my in-laws to Florida for a week (they're in their 90's)) the car temp gauge went to red, then settled into normal range. I will report back after tomorrow. Now, if it's low antifreeze, let's hope it's an external leak...

OK, took about 3/4 of a bottle of antifreeze. My brother in law took the car out for a drive and the temperature gauge held steady and normal operating range. However, still no heat. Is there a switch/pcm that controls the heater core operation? Anything else that needs to be checked? Could there be a fuse blown that controls the heater core? Blower fans work fine, but no heat. Thanks.

a heater core is a peace of metal that coolant goes through there is nothing that moves on a heater core. are both of the heater core lines that go into the fire wall hot to where u cant hold them?

Kevin,

The mechanic states that it's the water pump. Make sense? $766. That's alot of money. What do you think?

Thanks,

Skip (Weekend Wrench)

Also recommending thermostat - $90.

Skip,
Just what does he say is wrong with it? If the impeller broke off (spun free) maybe, but I would think you would be having overheat problems if there were no water movement. 3/4 of a bottle is quite a bit to add and you say the temp is now OK. Is there a leak? As Ctech says feel both lines and see if they are hot while the car is warmed up.

Does the A/C work? I ask so we can check for controller problems.

Flat nonsense... mrfixit454 is right. If there were no water movement in the cooling system you would be having overheat problems (especialy if you drive in the city).

take it to some one else that is not guessing a water pump will not cause what U have by itself the car would over heat as well.

Thanks all. I will call the dealership tomorrow to discuss. After my brother-in-law filled the antifreeze up, he took it for a 1/2 hour spin. Temp gauge was OK, but no heat. Is a half hour a long enough time for the air to get out of the system and heat to operate? He didn't check the air conditioner.

When they said water pump, my assumption was that antifreeze is leaking from a seal or something from the water pump. I'll ask the tech to check the antifreeze level tomorrow (Tuesday) and see if it's down again.

More ideas welcome. Thanks for your expertise and ideas.

Well, thanks for all the ideas and advice. Not being "on location" the Chrysler dealer replaced the water pump, thermostat and belt for total of $850 (too expensive!). Wife drove home from St. Louis warm today. Now it's on to replacing the lower control arms - I'm going to tackle that. Does this forum have a "how to" section/thread on doing this? Thanks. Weekend Wrench.

Glad you are up and running but I have never heard of this repair to fix a heater. Not sure about the how to as most of these were replaced under warranty.

Did the dealer tell you what was wrong with water pump? :)

I was not informed what was wrong with the water pump; I was third-hand to the repair as my wife was with the car out of town.

Again, I'll search the forum, but if anyone knows of a site that nicely explains the replacement of lower control arms ('05 Pacifica), much appreciated. Can't seem to find a Chilton's for a Pacifica. Thanks. Weekend Wrench.

Thank you Mr. Virglijus!

I will report back with my results!

Weekend Wrench