Why Does My Heat Turn Cold When I Stop?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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You may have trapped air in the cooling system

or the core may be partially plugged up. Engine coolant is delivered to the heater core through two heater hoses.

Why does my heat stop working when I stop?

Often, the issue is that

the heating system is simply dirty

. … The system's heat exchanger cannot work unless there's sufficient air moving across it to stop it from overheating. In short, a dirty blower can cause the heat exchanger to fail. Dirty air filters could also be the reason your heater stopped working.

Why does heat only work when car is moving?

When your vehicle is in motion and driving down the road, then

engine coolant temperature tends to get hotter on the engine before it gets to the radiator

, so the heater will naturally heat up more when driving around.

Why does my heat keep turning cold?

Your furnace may be blowing cold air because

the filter is too dirty

. A dirty air filter blocks airflow over the furnace's heat exchanger, causing it to overheat. When overheating, your furnace can trip a high limit switch, causing the furnace burners to shut off so that the heat exchanger does not crack.

Why does my heater not work when idling?

1

Low Coolant Level

. Low coolant is number one for good reason, it's the most common root cause of heater problems. … Your heater system is least likely to be damaged by a lack of coolant and therefore is designed to allow heater core coolant fill the engine jackets in the event of a low coolant level event.

What are signs of a bad thermostat?

  • The temperature gauge reads high and the engine overheats.
  • The temperature changes erratically.
  • The vehicle's coolant leaks around the or under the vehicle.

Why does my car stop blowing hot air when I stop?

A heater can stop working for a number of reasons, including: A

low antifreeze/water level in the radiator due to a leak in the cooling system

. A bad thermostat that isn't allowing the engine to properly warm up. A blower fan that isn't working properly.

Why is the heat in my car not very hot?

If

the heater control valve

is the culprit, the air coming into your vehicle won't feel warm. The heater core may also leak coolant. The heater core is clogged from debris in the cooling system. If debris has caused a clog in the heater core, it will need to be replaced.

What do I do if my heater is blowing cold air?

When your furnace blows cold air,

try turning the heating unit off and on

. If the air feels warm for a moment or two, then switches to cold, it may be that the flame sensor is dirty. With a dirty flame sensor, your gas burner won't stay lit, causing the air to go cold soon after the furnace turns on.

Why is cold air blowing when the heat is on in my car?

A car heating system blowing cold air can be due to a

faulty thermostat

, low coolant fluid level, malfunctioning heater core, a leaking cooling system, or problems with heating controls and blend door.

What to check if heat is not working?

Check your power source—a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse could be the reason for your furnace failure. Reset your breaker or replace the fuse to see if that restores heat.

Check your filter

—if it's so dirty that your system is struggling to move air through it, your furnace could overheat and shut down.

How do I know if my heater core is clogged?

  1. Weak or no airflow.
  2. Cold air (not warm) coming through the vents when the heater is on.
  3. Coolant leakage visible inside the cabin or a damp smell.

How do I get air out of my heater core?

​Start the engine of your car and allow it to warm up for a while. ​Once it reaches the operating temperature, the heater valve automatically allows the coolant to flow through the heater core. This action pushes the air bubble outside. ​Leave the car idle in this state for 15-30 minutes.

How can you tell if your thermostat is open?

Look

through the radiator filler neck to see if the coolant flows

. At this time, it should not be flowing as your car has not reached the operating temperature to cause the thermostat to open. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.

Can a stuck car thermostat fix itself?


When the thermostat becomes stuck, it is reasonable to simply replace it

. Also, when the thermostat housing is removed, the housing gasket should be replaced even if you're just checking it. A housing gasket needs to be able to seal fully, and it won't if it's been used.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.