No a/c or heat please help
#1
05-19-2011, 07:24 PM
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No a/c or heat please help
I have a 1995 Dodge Caravan Se 3.3 V-6 4-Speed Automatic
The van has no heat or a/c...Have let the van reach normal operating temp...And the hoses both seem to always stay cold...Has Anyone ever seen anything or heard of anything like this before?...Also does anyone know if you can buy a clutch...instead of having to buy a complete a/c compressor...Thanks any advice is appreciated.
The van has no heat or a/c...Have let the van reach normal operating temp...And the hoses both seem to always stay cold...Has Anyone ever seen anything or heard of anything like this before?...Also does anyone know if you can buy a clutch...instead of having to buy a complete a/c compressor...Thanks any advice is appreciated.
#2
05-19-2011, 08:05 PM
Ive never heard of buying just the clutch, but I know you can buy a bypass pulley.
Check your coolant level first. Id be more concerned with no heat than no AC since no heat is usually indicated by a few possible problems:
1. Low coolant level. If there is not enough, the coolant will not be able to circulate enough to get through the heater core, hence no heat.
2. Bad thermostat. If the thermostat sticks closed, it wont let the coolant circulate through the radiator, and in turn, not circulate through the heater core. (or the motor)
3. Bad heater core. Usually if this is tha case you will get either coolant vapor out of your vents (very bad for you) or coolant leaking into the floorboard through the vents. Usually accompanied by a 'syrupy' smell.
4. Bad water pump. Again: no circulation, no heat.
Do your radiator hoses get warm or stay cool too?
Are your raditor hoses soft and mushy after it warms up or firm?
Does the AC Clutch kick in? The pulley will always spin but if the clutch has activated the triangular part on the outside of the pulley will spin as well.
If the heater core hoses are cool it means no coolant os getting through them for one of the various reasons, which can in turn lead to bigger problems than no heat or AC!
Check your coolant level first. Id be more concerned with no heat than no AC since no heat is usually indicated by a few possible problems:
1. Low coolant level. If there is not enough, the coolant will not be able to circulate enough to get through the heater core, hence no heat.
2. Bad thermostat. If the thermostat sticks closed, it wont let the coolant circulate through the radiator, and in turn, not circulate through the heater core. (or the motor)
3. Bad heater core. Usually if this is tha case you will get either coolant vapor out of your vents (very bad for you) or coolant leaking into the floorboard through the vents. Usually accompanied by a 'syrupy' smell.
4. Bad water pump. Again: no circulation, no heat.
Do your radiator hoses get warm or stay cool too?
Are your raditor hoses soft and mushy after it warms up or firm?
Does the AC Clutch kick in? The pulley will always spin but if the clutch has activated the triangular part on the outside of the pulley will spin as well.
If the heater core hoses are cool it means no coolant os getting through them for one of the various reasons, which can in turn lead to bigger problems than no heat or AC!
#3
05-20-2011, 06:59 AM
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1.The coolant level is full. In the radiator and overflow
2.There is no coolant vapor smell or any leaks on the floorboard. So dont think it is the heater core.
3.Both radiator hoses stay cool. And seem to stay soft and mushy. Instead of firm. When it is hot.
4.No the a/c clutch is not kicking in.
2.There is no coolant vapor smell or any leaks on the floorboard. So dont think it is the heater core.
3.Both radiator hoses stay cool. And seem to stay soft and mushy. Instead of firm. When it is hot.
4.No the a/c clutch is not kicking in.
#4
05-20-2011, 11:41 AM
Ok, it sounds like either 1. the water pump is not circulating coolant or 2. the thermostat isnt opening, allowing the hot coolant in the engine to go out and the cool (well, cooler) coolant from the radiator to flow in. Both of which would make it so no heat comes out when you turn it on.
Personally Id start with the thermostat; it is a cheap and fairly easy procedure. If you have gasket maker at home and dont want to go buy a new thermostat yet, you can always just take it out, put the housong back on, and see if coolant circulates. The vehicle wont warm up very well, since the engine wont hold the coolant until it gets to the right temp, but you will be able to tell if the water pump has gone out or not - with no thermostat the hoses should get firm once the vehicle is warmed up and the system is pressurized. You should also have some heat - not as much as normal but it will still be warm.
Id be wary about running the engine for long periods too, until you figure out what the problem is. If the coolant is not circulating, the temp reading isnt quite accurate. Its close, but not quite right since its taking a reading of fluid that sits in one place as opposed to circulating fully through the engine block, radiator and heater core.
Personally Id start with the thermostat; it is a cheap and fairly easy procedure. If you have gasket maker at home and dont want to go buy a new thermostat yet, you can always just take it out, put the housong back on, and see if coolant circulates. The vehicle wont warm up very well, since the engine wont hold the coolant until it gets to the right temp, but you will be able to tell if the water pump has gone out or not - with no thermostat the hoses should get firm once the vehicle is warmed up and the system is pressurized. You should also have some heat - not as much as normal but it will still be warm.
Id be wary about running the engine for long periods too, until you figure out what the problem is. If the coolant is not circulating, the temp reading isnt quite accurate. Its close, but not quite right since its taking a reading of fluid that sits in one place as opposed to circulating fully through the engine block, radiator and heater core.