The heater/defroster in my car (a 1996 Firebird) doesn't heat up very well- what is the problem?

Question

I know that it naturally takes a few minutes for a car's heater to start blowing hot hair (especially on brutally cold mornings)- but mine seems to take longer than "normal", and the air is lukewarm, and not hot. Could this be the heater core?

Answer 1

flush the system and replace the thermostat , that should do it if everything else is healthy

Answer 2

If the engine is getting nice and hot and the coolant is full with no trapped air, then set the heater temperature to high and open the hood at hot idle. Now carefully reach in from the passenger side and feel of the rubber heater hoses at the firewall that connect to your heater core located under your dash. If the output heater hose is much cooler than the input heater hose, you'll know that the heater core's clogged up and needs replacing. Have you changed your antifreeze every two years? If not, it's not surprising that your clogging up your cooling system, and your radiator may be next.

Answer 3

Yes, it is the heater core. Like the radiator it too gets clogged up. Best bet to go to Auto Zone or other store and get one. Shop on the internet too for anything cheaper.

Answer 4

The most likely answer is that the hose that takes the warm air up to the windshield has come loose. Get down under the dash and trace the ducting and see that they all connect properly, then use duct tape to hold it better.

Answer 5

i could be low on engine coolant (antifreeze) if the heater core was leaking you would know because the windsheild would fog up when you turn the heater on if you are not low on coolant you might have to flush the raidiator hope this helps !!!!!!!K.C<>

Answer 6

possibly the heater core is clogged or the thermostat may be sticking.