Heater Problems (Please Help)

[Divey]

The past couple days my truck is not blowing warm air when the heater is on. If I sit there and let it idle warm up for about 20 minutes, it will blow a blast or two of warm air but then goes right back to cold. Last night it took 35 minutes of driving for it to finally blow hot air. I know my truck and it should take a couple minutes while idleing to blow some kind of warm/hot air. The only thing that has happened to my truck was a transmission pressure line at the bottom of the motor that connects to the radiator blew out on me on the way home from work. No damage was done and I lost around six quarts. Got it towed home and dropped the pan, drained the fluid, and replaced the pressure line. Would this have any effect on the heater? Also I did not use the Matic J fluid. I used Coastal from auto zone that says it is matic j compatible for nissan trucks.
The truck has 53,000 miles on it and was bought new. This is the only issue I have had with this. My warranty is up and I can not afford to fork out tons of cash for this. I get up really early and take my 2 kids to the baby sitters. It gets pretty cold and need the heater to work.

Anyone with anything that could help, I would greatly appreciate it. Now I am no mechanic and have some knowledge of motors and stuff so if you can explain it in the easiest way that would be better. Thanks

Terry

[real_texan77]

It could be the solenoid for the heater under the hood on passenger side

[Divey]

It could be the solenoid for the heater under the hood on passenger side

Is this marked so i know what to look for?


Ok, so I just got some fuel after leaving work ans popped the hood to check the radiator level. (the one on the side) I noticed that it was low while doing the tranny flush and put about 4 cups in. Now about a week later, it's bone dry inside of it. I also noticed when I am driving it will get warm very quick then when i am at a stop, it goes back to cold. For sometime now I noticed radiator fluid dripping from the front but never thought anything of it.
Is it possible I have a cracked radiator and that could cause the heater issue. The gauges on the dash are all normal but it hasn't been hot here lately.

[jeez]

Originally Posted by Divey

Is this marked so i know what to look for?


Ok, so I just got some fuel after leaving work ans popped the hood to check the radiator level. (the one on the side) I noticed that it was low while doing the tranny flush and put about 4 cups in. Now about a week later, it's bone dry inside of it. I also noticed when I am driving it will get warm very quick then when i am at a stop, it goes back to cold. For sometime now I noticed radiator fluid dripping from the front but never thought anything of it.
Is it possible I have a cracked radiator and that could cause the heater issue. The gauges on the dash are all normal but it hasn't been hot here lately.

No water in the radiator = no heat. You must get that fixed. Automotive temperature gauges are generally built to ride in the middle of the gauge unless it reaches an actual overheating condition. The gauge would then move very rapidly to the OH position. First things first, make sure your cooling system is in good order. You might find the heat straightes out as well.

[Kronos1965]

check the basics:

1. Thermostat
2. Radiator Cap (I had this issue.)
3. Check hoses and bottom of radiator for leaks.

[Divey]

Originally Posted by Kronos1965

check the basics:

1. Thermostat
2. Radiator Cap (I had this issue.)
3. Check hoses and bottom of radiator for leaks.

I will check all of the above this weekend.
On a side note, the radiator is fine. I checked it the next morning and the fluid level was full and in the reserve as well. I checked it when it was dark and it looked like it was empty. My mistake there. Thanks for the tips guys and i will report back with my findings.
Thanks

Terry

[jello206]

Originally Posted by Divey

I will check all of the above this weekend.
On a side note, the radiator is fine. I checked it the next morning and the fluid level was full and in the reserve as well. I checked it when it was dark and it looked like it was empty. My mistake there. Thanks for the tips guys and i will report back with my findings.
Thanks

Terry

any luck??? I have had this same issue with my truck it happened last year but never messed with it because I live in AZ so I use the heater a whole 2 months before it is awesome weather so.

[Bob Loblaw]

I had same problem on a 2007
Sometimes just NO heat and sometimes OK
Dealer couldnt figure it out
was the pump attached to the firewall that pumps the hot water through the heat exchange

[Divey]

Originally Posted by jello206

any luck??? I have had this same issue with my truck it happened last year but never messed with it because I live in AZ so I use the heater a whole 2 months before it is awesome weather so.

Nothing yet. I still don't know what I am looking for but I don't want to fork out an arm and a leg to the dealer.

[Divey]

Originally Posted by Bob Loblaw

I had same problem on a 2007
Sometimes just NO heat and sometimes OK
Dealer couldnt figure it out
was the pump attached to the firewall that pumps the hot water through the heat exchange

Can you take a picture or some kind of part number so I can find mine then check it. Also how do you check to see if it's working. The heater has now gone to not working at all unless on the throttle. I can rev it in the driveway and it will start to get warm but once I let off it's cold right away.

[Bob Loblaw]

Originally Posted by Divey

Can you take a picture or some kind of part number so I can find mine then check it. Also how do you check to see if it's working. The heater has now gone to not working at all unless on the throttle. I can rev it in the driveway and it will start to get warm but once I let off it's cold right away.

The pump was attached to the firewall and had hose (or hoses) Going IN and hose (or hoses) coming out. The out was going to the heat exchanger when you needed heat. In my case these hoses were NOT hot and they figured that the hot water was not getting past his pump ( It could have been a solenoid or switch but I think it was a pump)

[2010CC -OK]

If you've had a cooloant flush lately, there's a possibility you could have a air pocket in your system. This will cause what your describing. Especially if the right hose didn't get pinched off.

[Divey]

Originally Posted by 2010CC -OK

If you've had a cooloant flush lately, there's a possibility you could have a air pocket in your system. This will cause what your describing. Especially if the right hose didn't get pinched off.

I have not have or done a flush since I bought it new. I did however notice that I may have a leak. I thought it might have been something else but now I notice every time I start my truck, small drips of anti freeze pool up on the ground. I can't find where it's leaking from but I have a good guess it's where the aluminum and plastic meet. My wife's armada had a radiator leak what looks like to be the same spot. I have not had anytime to look further into it due to work but now I have 3 days off starting tomorrow so i will see what I can find with all of the above suggestions.

Terry

[jello206]

Mine just randomly started working the other day lol

[scrappy1979]

I have the exact same problem. I have a remote starter. So I start it up in the morning and get into a freezing truck WTF(WNY) so I definitely need heat as its been 5 degrees here lately. After driving it warms up then if Im stopped idling for anytime its cold again. Its at a local shop now for other problems now asked if they could check that out too.

As an aside my ABS and Slip lights came on a few nights ago and now no 4x4 another need around here. When I turn the knob to 4x4 hi it clicks once then the light on the dash just flashes. Any help with this issue?