When the temperature drops, we all want to stay warm. Unfortunately, our car heater is blowing cold air. Why? What is causing the problem? How can we fix it? Reducing CO emissions, fuel economy standards, and other measures have significantly reduced the number of unburnt hydrocarbons, un-oxygenated exhaust fumes, and other pollutants emitted by cars. However, even with these changes and advances in technology, there are some things that haven’t changed much over time. Whether you’re driving an old clunker or a brand new luxury car, your heater often blows cold air instead of hot regardless of whether or not there are any obvious signs that can explain why. Here are answers to the questions you may have about why your car heater blows cold air.
Why Is My Car Heater Blowing Cold Air?
There are a number of reasons your car’s heater may be blowing cold air, and it may be a sign of a larger problem. If the temperature in your car is not reaching your desired level, there may be a problem with the heater itself or with the system that controls the temperature.
Why Does My Car Heater Keep Blowing Cold Air?
1. Bad heater
Bad heaters are one of the most common reasons for an air conditioner to blow cold air. A bad heater is often a sign that something is wrong with the thermostat. Over time, the thermostat will shut off the heater if it senses that the temperature is correct. If you have a bad thermostat, it may be causing your car’s heater to go into a “sleep” mode and not keep your car warm enough. To test this theory, remove your car’s fuse for the heater and wait about five seconds before replacing it. If you can still feel heat from your car’s heater, then there is a problem with your thermostat or some other component in your system.
2. System problems
If you have noticed that your system seems to be malfunctioning at times, it could be causing the problem that causes cold air to be blown out of your vehicle’s vents. It could also be caused by an electrical component in the system itself or even by something as simple as dirty filters inside of your heating and cooling unit (HVAC). If this appears to be happening more frequently than normal, then it could be because there is a problem with one of these components or even one of the hoses inside of them (which would cause a leak). The simplest way to check if this is happening more frequently than normal would be to simply replace any hoses in need of replacement and see if it solves any problems you have been having.
3. System leaks
Leaks in your heating and cooling system can cause your car’s heater to blow cold air. A leaking hose, line, or even a clogged filter can cause the system to not work properly and allow cold air to be blown out of your vents. The easiest way to check for leaks is simply by turning off the car and taking a look around on the floor where the hoses are located. If you notice any leaks, then there is a chance that they are causing your car’s heater to blow cold air.
4. Bad thermostat
If you have noticed that your car’s heater will go into a “sleep” mode at times and not keep up with the temperature inside of your vehicle, this could be caused by an old or malfunctioning thermostat. This is often caused by an old thermostat going bad or one that has been damaged from being replaced improperly in the past (commonly when a new thermostat is installed without removing all of the old one). The simplest way to test this theory would be by replacing it with a new one (if you know how) and seeing if this solves any problems you have been having with it going into a “sleep” mode at times and not keeping up with temperatures inside of your vehicle at other times.
5. Bad heater core
If you have noticed that your car’s heater will not blow hot air and will instead blow cold air, this could be caused by a bad or malfunctioning heater core. This is often caused by an old thermostat going bad or one that has been damaged from being replaced improperly in the past (commonly when a new thermostat is installed without removing all of the old one). The simplest way to test this theory would be by replacing it with a new one (if you know how) and seeing if this solves any problems you have been having with it not blowing hot air and instead blowing cold air.
6. Bad blower motor
A common problem for some Ford/Lincoln vehicles is having a bad blower motor. This occurs when the blower motor stops working or begins to overheat and melt down. If this appears to be happening more frequently than normal, then it could be because there is something wrong with the blower motor itself or even because of dirty filters inside of your heating and cooling unit (HVAC). The easiest way to check if this is happening more frequently than normal would be by simply replacing any filters inside of your heating and cooling unit (HVAC) with new ones (if you know how). If this solves any problems you have been having, then there is a chance that there is something wrong with your blower motor itself causing it to go bad or overheat at times.
How To Clear Clogged Airflow?
1. Blow into the vent
Start by blowing into the vent located above the dashboard. This should help to clear any debris that may be blocking your airflow.
2. Vacuum out the vents
If using a vacuum cleaner or can of compressed air, you can use this to blow out any debris that may be in your air vents. This will also help to keep them clean and free of dust and dirt buildup.
3. Vacuum out the dash
If using a vacuum cleaner or can of compressed air, you can use this to blow out any debris that may be in your dash area underneath your steering wheel and other areas that are often covered with dust, dirt, or pet hair such as your rearview mirror, center console, and door panels. This will also help to keep these areas free from dust and dirt buildup.
4. Cleaning kit for the vents/dash top
A simple cleaning kit for vents/dash top could be used to clean them out manually if needed (though it is not advised). It could consist of a simple brush for removing dirt from around the edges of the vents/dash top as well as a pipe cleaner (or similar tool) used to remove hairs from around these areas if needed (especially on leather seats).
5. Replacing filters with new ones
Replacing any filters inside of your heating and cooling unit (HVAC) with new ones (if you know how) would be another way to fix this problem and may help to prevent your heating and cooling unit (HVAC) from overheating or melting down.
6. Blower motor or fan clutch replacement
If this is an issue with your blower motor itself, then replacing it with a new one would be the best way to fix this problem. Replacing it with a new one would also help to prevent future problems from occurring as well. There are a few different types of blower motors that could be used depending on what type of heating and cooling unit (HVAC) you have and how much of it will be replaced. If replacing the blower motor, then you should look into buying a new one from your local auto parts store or online retailer that sells these types of parts for your specific unit.
Conclusion
If these issues sound like they could be happening in your car, the good news is that they can be fixed quite easily if you know how to troubleshoot the problem. But before you start to tinker with your car, it’s important to make sure that the heater is actually blowing cool air and not hot air that’s just being misdirected by the vents. If the heater is blowing cool air, the issue is likely just a clogged filter or an obstructed airflow. If, however, the car is actually misdirecting the hot air, you’ll have to check the thermostat and fan.
