How do I fix the heat in my automobile? How much does it cost?
Vincent A asked:
I drive a 2000 Dodge Stratus ES, and when I turn on the heat and the defrosters, it blows out cold air.
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on Sunday, May 9th, 2010 at 8:15 pm and is filed under Maintenance & Repairs.
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I drive a 2000 Dodge Stratus ES, and when I turn on the heat and the defrosters, it blows out cold air.
May 9th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
It should cost about $10 to change out your thermostat. It only takes a few minutes even if you don’t work on cars and they often go bad like that. Reddy492
May 12th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
change the thermostat.the thermostat is probably stuck open. stallion1948_lloyd
May 12th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Cars don’t actually have heaters, the heat comes from the engine. check and make sure your fan isn’t stuck in the defrost position. You might have to take it in, should be cheap though at Midas or another place of the like. Nevermore
May 15th, 2010 at 6:17 am
i dont know but i think you should use Napa parts andy r
May 17th, 2010 at 2:13 am
Depends on what is wrong. Replacing a thermostat is cheap. Replacing a heater core, which is necessary if it is plugged up with crud (as mine is) can cost more than the car is worth. Fortunately, my car (a Plymouth minivan) has a second heater in the back which works. rhsaunders
May 20th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
It is most likely the heater core, but at the same time it could be the vacuum actuated switch. When you turn the temp from cool to hot it uses vacuum to move the “FLAP” to provide the correct air source. When u put it on heat it makes are flow through the heater core. It could be stuck on the cold side. It if digital i dont know. I haven’t seen any problems with these. So you can do a coolant flow test with the heater core first. Disconnect the return flow hose and turn the engine on ( a extra set of hands would help ) if coolant gushes out it isn’t the heater core. I would say then take it to a local shop and have them figure it out. It shouldn’t be much. One other problem I can think of is ( on FORDS ) there is a coolant valve that prevents hot coolant from flowing into the heater core while it isn’t in use. Every once in awhile that valve will either get suck in one position ( nasty coolant causes this ) or the vacuum Diaphragm that moves the valve is wore out. Check along the heater hoses for a valve switch. If there isn’t one continue on to taking it to a local shop. It shouldn’t cost much. Good Luck kakl1104