Leading Causes of Car Heater Failure

Experiencing a car heating system malfunction? A car heater is one of those vehicle components that you might take for granted until a problem crops up. Now you find yourself having no heat in your car and don't know where to start the troubleshooting process.

A car heater can stop blowing warm air due to several reasons. Continue reading to find out some of the usual culprits behind car heater failure. 

Low Coolant Level

Car engines produce a lot of heat during operation. This is why auto manufacturers incorporate cooling systems into the design of their engines. Engine coolant is a crucial part of your car's cooling system. It is a motor fluid that circulates through your engine to help to cool it down. During the summer months, it absorbs the excess heat from your engine and helps to dissipate it outside. When winter weather sets in, it brings the heat over to your car's heater core, allowing you to have heat in your car.

When you don't have enough coolant in your car, the hot fluid won't be able to make it to the heater core. As a result, your auto heating system won't create warm air. Your car's engine coolant isn't supposed to drop. A low coolant level is almost always an indication of coolant leaks. Make sure you visit an experienced car mechanic to have any coolant leaks sealed before topping up your coolant.

Faulty or Dirty Heater Core

As already mentioned above, the heater core is the heating system component that creates the warm air that gets blown out of the air supply vents in your car cabin. If it is broken or clogged with dirt, it may stop working properly, causing your heater to blow cold air instead of hot.

Broken Thermostat

The thermostat is what regulates your in-car temperature. During the cooling season, it stays on "C" to indicate that the vehicle's cooling system is active. In winter weather, the temperature gauge should read "H" for hot. If your thermostat's temperature gauge stays on "C" during the heating season, this is an indication that it might be broken, and therefore, it can't send a signal over to the car that the engine is warm. As a result, hot coolant won't be sent over to the heater core to facilitate the heating function.

If you encounter any problem with your car's heating system, visit a car mechanic near you for auto heating repair services.