Heat isn't working in my '03 Saturn Ion .. why?

Question

Nothing works .. defrost, vent, floor heat. Please help me out .. it's so cold out and we desperately need the heat to keep us warm while driving.

Thanks for ur help.

Answer 1

change the thermostat and check the fuses

Answer 2

Is it the heat that is not working or the fan? There is a difference.

If the fan is not blowing air through the vents then the problem could be the switch, relay, resistor or the fan motor itself. It could also be as simple as a blown fuse. Run the fan through all of its speeds. If it only works on the highest speed then it is the resistor. If it doesn't blow at all then it is one of the other items.

If the fan blows but your not getting air out of the vents then you might have a blend door problem. The blend doors switch between hot and cold air and between dash, defrost and floor vents.

If all of that works and you only get cold air then check your coolant level. If its low your Dex-Cool has probably turned to sludge and gunked up the heater core. Of course, if its low, you probably already overheated the engine anyway. Fix the reason why it is low and do a "super flush" with a detergent additive designed to break up the Dexsludge. Backflush the heater core while you are at it. GM has a TSB on how to do this properly.

Answer 3

First, check your coolant. If it's low, it won't reach the heater core. Next check your blower. If it's not working, check the fuse and relay. If those are fine, it's time for a drain, flush, and refill of the cooling system. Purchase a flush kit at your local auto store, and install it according to directions. Drain and flush your system according to directions, paying special attention to the heater core. It must be flushed in the opposite direction of normal water flow.

Answer 4

HVAC Control Head is a common problem