Hello to all im new to the forum. I have recently purchesed a 2000 dodge caravan the van has 160.000 milles and all is ok the people we purched it from wer a on time at the deller fix problem tipe of people. Wen i got the van i reseved a file with all the maintenance records of everything they did to the van. I have worked with 12,24,48 v sistems i can reed schematics as well. Im also a hydrawlics guy so wrenching away is no problem to me.
My question is the A/C works fine realy cold. The hetter on the other hand doce NOT work at all. I have cheked to see if the hoses have hot water going in and out and they do. The hetter box seems to be hot under the dash by the driver side.The blower works on every setting. Is their any one that can help me resolve this problem. We travel to utha a lot in the winter and this will not be good with the kids in the car. Any help will be apresiated.
Thanks Francisco

 

Welcome Aboard Francisco! Until someone pipes in - I searched the net and found the following...

1. First check the coolant level. If it's low you won't get heat. Another possibility is a clogged heater core. It happens to my 96 Ram every couple years. I disconnect it and blow it out with a compressor. Some thick gunk comes out and I have heat again.

2. A vacuum problem for the heater water valve, or maybe a bad heater valve. Could also be a bad vacuum switch at the heater/ac control on the dash board.

3. Thermostat

4. Sounds like the air "blend" door might be inoperable. This door opens and closes a specified amount to regulate the amount of either cooled or heated air, as requested by the climate control unit. If the door is continually in the position which is bypassing the heater core (cold setting), the air will not get warm regardless of the condition/operation of the heater core. I'd suggest having this component checked.

 

Thanks for the reply I have checked all of that like i stated hot watter runs in and out of the core but i dont get any hot air inside. I bolive the dor u mentioned is stiking in the cold air position. How would i get the controls checked or how would i check to see if thats whjats wrong

 

run a blend door calibration test.

Calibration may be initiated manually by pressing and holding WASH and REAR WIPER buttons for 5 seconds. flashing LEDS will indicate test running, may take more than 2 minute.
the LED will blink you a Morris Code.

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) DEFINITION/DRB IIIŽ DISPLAY

0 PASSED ALL TESTS

1 MODE ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH "DEFROST" POSITION

2 MODE ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH "PANEL" POSITION

3 BLEND/PASSENGER ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH "COLD" STOP

4 BLEND/PASSENGER ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH "HOT" STOP

5 FIN SENSOR "OPEN"

6 FIN SENSOR "SHORTED"

7 ZONE/DRIVER ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH "COLD" STOP

8 ZONE/DRIVER ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH "HOT" STOP

9 CONTROL MODULE INTERNAL FAILURE

I am not sure if these procedures works or not, I've had luck with some cars, but not all. worth a try.

another thing you can try is remove the knee bolster and remove the blend door actuators, cycle the hot-cold setting, see if the door motor moves. even stick your finger or small screw driver into the slot and see if you can move the door.
there will be few actuators attach to the HVAC box's side(behind radio), and they all will be in the same area and look exactly the same, you'll have to figure out which one goes where on your own.