I hate to ask it, but it has been bugging me on this site and to hear people talk about it. What does a heater core do and where is it at on a 95 1500 Ram? What can happen to it when it goes out and what signs is there to tell if it is bad? I don't mean to be stupid guys but I can't help but ask.

 

umm the heater core is what makes your truck warm inside, its like a little radiater with a fam behind it to blow the warm air into the cab it is behinf the glove box (behind some outher things too but in that area) if it goes you will most likley have a wet floor, smell of coolent in the cab and your coolent levels will get low (because is leaking into the cab) if its pluged your "heater wont work" no/very little coolent will be able to go through it so it wont get warm so the fan will gust blow cold air

 

whats all our radiaters for in the front? i have the main radiator for cooling the engine.. then im guessing the one in front of it is for the tranny.. how about the 2 little ones between them?? oil and the a/c i suppose???

 

Well to pull a heater core out, do you just have to take the glove box out and then go from there or, does the whole dash have to come off?

 

The big one is the radiator. The thin one in front of the radiator is the AC Condenser. The one to the right of the radiator (though I've seen them mounted in front of the condenser on some newer 2nd gens) is the tranny cooler. The power steering cooler is the other cooler you'd likely see up front, though it's usually behind all of them, close to the PS pump. IIRC there was no stock oil cooler available on the Rams...not even the V10.

As for getting at the heater core, you have to dig into the dash to get to it. You don't have to take the WHOLE dash out, but it's not JUST the glovebox either

 

you half to dismantel the dash, not trying to be rude but id you dont know what it is id let somone else look at it

 

these trucks are packed full or radiators.. suprised they dont have radiators for keeping the diffrentials cool

 

lol they actually make diff covers with metal veins on them to exchange heat from the gear oil .. and tranny and oil pans that have the same thing... although a actual heat exchanger (radiator) is much more effecient...

 

Well I think I am having a problem with my heater core if someone can tell me if that is my problem. The truck will warm up, and hold a constant temp, and when I turn the switch to get air, its cold. I don't have any leaking water or antifreeze. Does anyone know if it is the thermostat or the heater core?

 

First I would open the radiator cap and run engine until it gets up to temperature. Check antifreeze/water level.
This time of year, it can be low and still run close to normal temps. If there is no circulation, than water pump or thermostat.

Make sure you have the temperature **** to the right/red for heat. Turn fan **** to the right, not left. Have no idea why it goes in a different direction for heat verses AC. Compressor kicks in either way. Maybe someone else can fill me in on that mystery...[sm=dontgetit.gif]

If the motor/radiator is full and up to temp and the water is circulating through the radiator, we can isolate the levels, water pump and thermostat.
If the fan is working then it is either the 1) Heater core
2) Temp dial not functioning
3) Duct/vaccuum not opening

Process of elimination. Check the easy stuff first.

If heater core is bad, you will either get fluid on the passenger floor and smell like antifreeze or it is plugged up. If the floor is dry and there are no hose leaks. Then take the hoses to the heater core loose from the engine and flush both directions. It will either flush out the restriction or your screwed and need to replace it.[sm=headbang.gif]

If the temp dial and switch are not functioning you will need to get under dash and start following stuff until you find issue.....[sm=signs003.gif]