Winter may not be too harsh in the UAE, but a functioning heater can make your ride more comfortable – especially if you are going for a long trip towards the north of the country in the winter. Besides comfort, on cold days, driving a cold car won’t be pleasant, and this situation can be dangerous especially if the windshield fogs up or ices over. There can be many reasons your car heater isn’t working properly or as efficiently as it should.
In this guide, we highlight all the reasons along with some preventive measures.
How Does a Car Heater Work?
A running engine produces heat that is absorbed by coolant. To maintain proper engine operating temperature, the engine coolant transports heat throughout the radiator and heater core.
The heater core and radiator then absorb excess heat from the coolant. The heater panel then controls how much heat from the heater core enters the passenger compartment to keep you warm. The panel is also used to adjust the blower motor fan speed.
Reasons Your Car Heater Is Not Functioning
When you leave any component of your car out of order for months and even days, the issue can get worse. This is exactly why you must find out the cause and fix them without delays. It is best to make sure the heater is working before the mercury starts to drop in your area. Let’s take a look at the factors that might cause car heater issues.
Faulty Heater Core
Heater cores are exactly like compact radiators, made up of aluminium tubing that carries warm coolant material inside and outside, dispersing along the fans to heat your car. This is how a heater core functions. When the heater core is unable to pass the coolant through it and the air blower is clogged in the small tubing, your car heater won’t work at all.
If everything else is fine with your car heating system, then you are likely to have a problem with the heater core. Watch for the following signs if you suspect something wrong with your car’s heater core.
- Fog accumulation inside a car
- Quick consumption of coolant
- Overheated engine’s burning smell
- Sweet or fruit-like odor in car
Insufficient Coolant
Another common reason why a car heater stops working can be a lower level of coolant in the heater core. When the coolant level keeps dropping down, it doesn’t reach the heater core at all to generate heat inside the car. As a result, your car or cabin stays chilly.
The heater core runs out of coolant also because of the overworking of the engine and insufficient amount of coolant. If this is the case, refilling the coolant can resolve the problem. You can also get your car checked for possible coolant leaks.
Deteriorated Thermostat
A thermostat plays a vital role in maintaining the temperature of the car. It ensures that the engine doesn’t overheat and also keeps the car’s cooling and heating system running effectively. A bad thermostat won’t be able to accumulate heat inside the car by affecting your car’s engine cooling systems. It is recommended to get your thermostat inspected and fixed before it further damages your car.
Dysfunctional Heater Controls
These heater controls act as a switch to turn your car’s heater on and off. These controls can have wiring issues which can lead to a dysfunctional car heater. It is advisable to get your switches thoroughly checked and get them replaced if needed.
Air Pockets
Another possible cause for a poor functioning heater could be air pockets in the heater core. If you have recently filled and drained the coolant system, or repaired a coolant leak, then you may have an airlock. When the flow of coolant through the heater core gets interrupted by an air pocket, it prevents the engine coolant from circulating correctly.
Inspect the coolant to see if it’s circulating through the heater core and heater hoses. Both the outlet and inlet hoses should feel hot when the heater is on and the engine is at normal operating temperature.
Heater Fan Issues
Another common cause of your car’s heater not working properly can be a fan issue. Heater fans are responsible for blowing hot air into the car. If they are damaged or faulty, it is impossible to have your car’s heater working properly.
Heater Core Is Clogged
An unexpected heater core issue can be sudden clogging. It happens when rust from the radiator or debris gets stuck in the cooling/heating system or radiator. A clogged core can be repaired by car AC technicians but if you leave it clogged for too long, you might have to replace it with a new one
Blower Motor Resistor Issue
If your fan’s speed or heater is unable to generate enough heat, it could indicative of a faulty blower motor resistor.
Radiator Leakage
Your car’s heater can stop working properly if there is any water leaking from the radiator and water pump. The worst thing is it can damage your engine if not timely repaired.
Cost of Repairing Heater
The cost of getting your car heater repair depends on the underlying cause. A fan or thermostat can be replaced easily with minimal cost. Even the coolant refill isn’t an expensive fix. However, a heater core can be extremely expensive to replace.
Preventive Maintenance
While you may not be using the heater too often, regular maintenance can ensure that it is fully functioning whenever you need it. Since a car ‘s heating system is related to the cooling system, car heater maintenance is similar to car AC maintenance.
- Make sure your car has an adequate coolant level at all times. This helps the unit’s core to heat up and also keep your vehicle’s engine running smoothly.
- Inspect coolant regularly and make sure it is clean and free of any rust or other debris.
- Make sure the thermostat and fan are working properly.
- Inspect all hoses and belts for any leaks and make sure they are properly attached.
Now you know why your car heater isn’t working properly. A car heater is an essential part of your vehicle. Like most vehicle parts, car heaters can lead to bigger problems if not regularly maintained. If your car requires frequent maintenance, plan replacement by exploring used cars for sale in the UAE for affordable deals.
A few of the popular options are:
- Used Nissan for sale in the UAE
- Second hand Toyota Corolla for sale in the UAE
- Used Ford for sale in the UAE
- Second hand BMW for sale in the UAE
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on car care and maintenance tips. e
Related Posts
