I recently bought a 1997 Ford Ka but the heaters never get hot, why???

Question

The heaters in my car never seem to blow out hot air, its always cold. A friend of the family sid it could have something to do with the fuses on the radiator, does anyone know where i can find a fuse layout for a Ford Ka online?? or have any other solutions to my problem???

Answer 1

I just love these easy 10 point giveaways. lol

You need to replace the heater core in your KIA. It is shaped just like a radiator but is really small. If the heater core is clogged up, which is what happens, then hot water can not circulate. So your air is only blowing thru a cold "radiator" so to speak.

When you buy one at a automotive parts store as they may be cheaper than the dealer, check with Auto Zone, my favorite, if it is around. All you have to do is disconnect the two water hoses that go from the engine to the inside of your car. You need pliers or a screw driver. Then go inside and you should be able to figure out how to take the unit from inside.

Once you switch them out, and connect the water hoses, you will have your heater back.

Also, if the heater core was leaking, then they may have disconnected the hoses. The hoses may connect from the engine out to the engine in so the water is not circulated thru the heater core. So if you open up the hood and on the passenger's side you see like two pipes coming out, then these are the heater core outlet/inlet where the hoses were supposed to be hooked up to. They may have been disconnected because the core was leaking. That is the only reason to recirculate the water and to disconnect the hoses.



anymore questions, email me.

PS even if the thermostat were bad, you would still get heat after a while. If your water did not circulate, the engine would die. After a while the thermostate will open but not at the right temperature for maximum operating performance.

PS #2 if the water pump goes out you will have a BIG water leak. If it goes out slowly, you will still have hot air if your heater core is good.

Answer 2

There are no fuses on the radiator. So first question is the engine coming up to temp? If so,then the heater control is not changing the baffle in the heater compartment to direct the air from the heater coil to the passenger compartment. check you control panel as well as the action of the baffle door.

Answer 3

It could be the thermostat or the fuse is blown on the fan ..
the thermostat is inside a housing on the engine block located where the water enters from the radiator ..
your fuses are in a central fuse box . most times under the dash on the drivers side .. if you have your auto manual look it up ..
both problems are minor . if that's not it get professional help .
good luck ..

Answer 4

Most likely cause would be the thermostat. The thermostat is supposed to stay closed until the car reaches operating temperature and then allow coolant from the radiator to circlulate through the engine. Some time the thermostat gets worn out and stays open so the engine does not get a chance to reach operating temperature.

Answer 5

There are no fuses on the radiator. Check the vacuum valve under the hood by the firewall - it regulates fluid flow to the heater core.

Answer 6

You should check the water pump since the water pump is the main distribution center for hot and cold air the water pump still pumps out cold air even if it is broken

Answer 7

Most cars average 9000miles a year in uk or less. Eork out value and if excessive using used car buyers guides. Not a bad car, cheap to own normally. Tendency to rust from underneath. Online parts are often cheaper.

Answer 8

check the thermostat.