Your Car Heater: How it Works and What to do When it Doesn’t

There’s nothing worse than hopping into your car or truck on a Louisville cold, rainy day, only to find that your car heater isn’t working. Because when your vehicle’s heater stops blowing warm air, it can make driving anywhere miserable… and even unsafe in extreme weather. So in this blog the experts at Meineke in Louisville look at how your car or truck heater works, why it might fail, and what you can do about it.

How Your Car Heater Works

Your car heater works by using heat from the engine’s cooling system. Because, as you know, when your engine runs, it generates heat. So then this heat absorbed by the coolant circulating through the engine. And this hot coolant is then directed to the heater core (a small radiator-like component located inside the car’s cabin). Then, a blower fan pushes air over the heated heater core, warming the air, sending it through the vents into the cabin to keep you warm. Therefore, the heater’s performance depends on a well-maintained cooling system and adequate coolant levels.

Common Reasons Your Car Heater Stops Working

Low Coolant Levels

• • Your vehicle’s heater relies on hot coolant from the engine to produce warm air. So, if your coolant is low, there’s not enough to circulate through the heater core. And this results in cold air blowing from the vents.

Faulty Thermostat

• • A stuck-open thermostat can prevent your engine from reaching the optimal temperature needed for heating, leaving you in the cold.

Clogged or Leaking Heater Core

• • The heater core is a small radiator responsible for warming the air. But over time, it can get clogged with debris or develop leaks, reducing its efficiency.

Blower Motor Issues

• • If the blower motor fails, warm air can’t circulate into the cabin, even if the heater core is working perfectly.

Broken Temperature Controls

• • A malfunction in the control system—like a faulty blend door or temperature switch—can also cause heating issues.

What to Do When Your Heater Stops Working

Check Coolant Levels

• • Inspect the coolant reservoir under the hood. And if it’s low, top it off with the manufacturer-recommended coolant. Also, remember to check for leaks that might cause coolant loss.

Inspect the Thermostat

• • If the temperature gauge on your dashboard isn’t reaching the normal range, the thermostat might be stuck and need replacing. So, call Meineke on Plantside Drive in Louisville. Because their ASE certified mechanics can test and replace it if needed.

Flush or Replace the Heater Core

• • If the heater core is clogged, the professionals at Meineke in Louisville can flush it, or replace it. But, for leaks, replacement is often the only solution.

Test the Blower Motor

• • If no air is blowing, have the blower motor and its fuse inspected at Meineke on Plantside Drive in Louisville .

Diagnose the Controls

• • If the heater seems stuck on cold, the Meineke experts in Louisville can diagnose and fix issues with the temperature control system.

Don’t Ignore Your Car Heater Problems

While a broken heater is an inconvenience, it can also indicate bigger issues, like coolant leaks or an overheating engine. And if basic checks don’t solve the problem, call Meineke in on Plantside Drive in Louisville to schedule an appointment with their trusted mechanics. Because they can diagnose and fix the issue.