Heater only blows cold

[b-e-r-t]

My car has just started to only blow cold air

No matter what way i turn the temperature knob, only cold comes out.

The fan still works fine as does the knob for selecting where the air is to come out. Interior/Exterior air source works as does air conditioning and quick clear demist button for the windscreen.

If i turn the knob fully to cold (after the little knick), then i hear a slight click from inside the dash.

I've taken out the glovebox and my head unit but i can't see too much.

I had read on here somewhere that someones car only blew hot air and they were able to see the motor that operates the air mix but i can't see anything.

Car is 2004 SRI. Any ideas on what i should look for. Is it likely that the mix flap has just got stuck?

[jamesr]

Have you checked your water level?

[b-e-r-t]

yeah, its full - actually a bit over full. mechanic topped it up when i was getting inlet manifold done.

[billybob]

My 2004 sri is doing the same it's like driving a fridge!!

[freshprince]

have you checked your oil recently?
Cold blowers can mean head gasket.

[b-e-r-t]

yeah i know all about the fridge

i had to drive one nite when it was 3degrees for over 30mile - because the windows kept misting up i had to put on the air conditioning - i was not warm!!

i fiddled with my heater control one day in traffic - spent about 10mins turning if from hot to cold non stop, and it started to work again - the flaps must have got stuck.

when the car is idling and you move the knob a bit, you should hear the flaps moving slightly. turn the blower off and u should hear it no probs.

you will notice a little knick at the very lowest setting and very hottest - if you get it working again i recommend not putting it fully each way.

still its getting near summer - u shouldnt need it i hope! give u some time to get it sorted too!

[billybob]

Many thanks and what a success i did exactly what you said and hey presto Cheers mate TOP MAN

[GoldenWonder]

Mine had a similar problem but it was stuck on hot. Thanks to this site I found out where the air flap motor was and lubricated it with WD40 and it now works again.

Basically I had to remove the glovebox (5 minute job) and the passenger footwell trim (another 5 min job) and spray the red activating rod joints and then switch from cold to hot several times to release it!

[b-e-r-t]

i took out the glovebox but didnt remove the lower trim - couldnt see an easy way of getting it off - looked like i had to remove the whole centre console - how did you get yours off?

are the activating joints near the base of the centre console then - below the switches for heater?

i could see two red joints in the centre of the dash about the same distance back as the air speed motor but couldnt get them to move.

[GoldenWonder]

My memory is a bit vague, but the passenger trim was a matter of prising off the cap and then undoing the screw to pull out the plastic section that goes towards the bulkhead end. Thats all you need to remove (apart from the glovebox).

The activating lever on the air mix box is a red plastic arm with clips holding it on at either end - I sprayed the ends and let the WD40 soak in for a while and then it seemed to free up.

If its really jammed then the motor has to come out. I'm sure theres a thread on here somewhere were they did that?