ok. i had a dodge caravan that when i use to just let it sit and idle to warm up in the winter, it would only blow luke warm. my dad bought a new dodge caravan in '03 and kept bringing it back to the dealer telling them that the van would only blow hot when he was driving.they would tell him everything checks out ok and send him on his way. finally after the third or fourth time he brought it back, the service manager went out and started 3 other dodge caravans out on the lot and they all did the same thing. now i have my dakota and it's doing the same. usually that's a sign of low coolant or maybe thermostat but all is good in that department as were the other vehicles i mentioned above. so what's up with dodge and their heating system? and is there a fix? winters get pretty cold around here and i plan on putting a remote starter in. last year was the first year in about 10 years that i went without a remote starter and i'm not doing it again, but i would like to get some extra heat at idle if i can.

Troy.

 

couple of things to look at,

1.thermostat correct at 195 deg?
2. restricted heater core
both heater hoses should feel same tempatures when at idle,

id just back flush the heater core direct a couple of times
you get some junk cleared out , thats what fixed my last 2 dakotas

 

Yea +1

 

Wrong thread sorry.

 

thanks for the replies. i'll try that before the weather gets too cold.

Troy.

 

where is this heater core? Mine does the same thing. Its startin to get cold up here in canada so i dont wanna be freezin my nuts off when she gets to -30C

 

The heater core is hidden all the way behind the dash board.

 

oh joy.....

 

If you're just talking about back flushing it you can do that from the engine compartment. Just follow the small diameter heater hoses from the front of the engine.