Winter is around the corner. As such, Old Man Winter brings his unique driving hurdles, including inclement weather and road salt. Of course, one of the seasonal challenges is quite simply the cold. Falling temperatures can impact your vehicle’s ability to start, run, and, naturally, keep your cabin toasty. Tragically, there are at least five reasons that your car heater isn’t working.
From a faulty thermostat to insufficient coolant, there are a handful of reasons why your car heater will give up on you
No one wants to deal with freezing temperatures without the benefit of a working car heater. However, there are several reasons that your trusty ride’s heating architecture will let you down. Here are some of the most common factors in an operative heater. No worries, though– most of these issues are rather straightforward DIY fixes or relatively affordable shop visits.
| Faulty thermostat | A thermostat issue is one of the most common causes of heater failure. Unfortunately, an aging or failing thermostat may lead to other temperature regulation issues, like overheating. |
| Dirty or obstructed heater core | Owners of older cars may run into obstructed heater cores due to excess rust or debris. Unfortunately, a heater core issue could prevent coolant from interacting with your heater’s fan. |
| Insufficient coolant/antifreeze levels | Like a dirty or obstructed heater core, low coolant levels may prevent fluid from warming in the heater core and circulating. |
| Faulty fan | Your car heater fan blows warm air over heated coolant and into the cabin. When that fan stops working, the warm air can’t access your vehicle’s cabin. |
| Damaged wiring/blown fuse | As with just about any electrical issue in a vehicle, frayed wires, shorts, or blown fuse(s) could be the culprit. The gremlins strike again. |
Just because your car heater isn’t working right now doesn’t mean it isn’t far from functioning
Some issues impacting your heater’s function have other consequences. For instance, a faulty thermostat could prevent your car from sending coolant to your radiator and cooling effectively, per the AA. That could mean overheating and potentially catastrophic issues like a seized engine.
Never fear, though. Many of these issues are rather straightforward repairs. For instance, replacing a thermostat isn’t a difficult task. Furthermore, replacing a fuse or adding coolant to your vehicle is quite simple. Always consult your owner’s manual for details on how to perform tasks like adding antifreeze.
