- Joined
- Nov 22, 2019
- Posts
- 253
- Reaction score
- 83
- Location
- Green Cove Springs
- Ram Year
- 2002 1500
- Engine
- 5.9 liter 360
I recently bought this used 2003 Ram 1500 with 3.7, Been driving it for a while and really like it, now that the weather has become colder, I've discovered that the heater is not working. Any help appreciated TIA !
What I don't know: is how the system is meant to operate.
What I have heard: is that there is a valve that opens the water to the heater core, that can get stuck or lose vacume and not operate, and that there is a door that breaks the plastic pins.
What I do know: is the A/C works, but the air flow is not as good as it should be, but I get zero heat when switching A/C off and turning to defrost heat. When I turn the knob from cool to heat, I don't hear any sort of mechanism engage to alter a change. When I bought it I knew it had a bad head gasket, and I guess acting cheapskate I poured head gasket sealer in it. While it did and still does appear to have sealed the head gasket leak. I shortly after had overheating problems, the radiator swelled, and the water pump blew out its gasket, and it turned out the previous owner had rigged in an electric fan and removed the mechanical one. I was aware of the electrical fan when I bought it. I also had a pair of sunglasses fall into the driver windshield vent, which I have not retrieved yet.
What I have done: New radiator, new water pump, electrical fan wasn't working, removed it and reinstalled an original mechanical fan, while I still need a shroud extender it seems to be cooling just fine. I removed the fan and resistor, and found what seemed like a birds nest of leaves and trash and cleaned this all out and got improved air flow, yet zero heat.
I suspect a bad mechanism, but cannot rule out the gasket sealer clogging up my heater core. A friend told me a clogged heater core can be blown clear using pressure washer.
I'm about to dive in and see what's going on, but it's also my daily, so I don't want to go too far yet, any and all help appreciated ! TIA
What I don't know: is how the system is meant to operate.
What I have heard: is that there is a valve that opens the water to the heater core, that can get stuck or lose vacume and not operate, and that there is a door that breaks the plastic pins.
What I do know: is the A/C works, but the air flow is not as good as it should be, but I get zero heat when switching A/C off and turning to defrost heat. When I turn the knob from cool to heat, I don't hear any sort of mechanism engage to alter a change. When I bought it I knew it had a bad head gasket, and I guess acting cheapskate I poured head gasket sealer in it. While it did and still does appear to have sealed the head gasket leak. I shortly after had overheating problems, the radiator swelled, and the water pump blew out its gasket, and it turned out the previous owner had rigged in an electric fan and removed the mechanical one. I was aware of the electrical fan when I bought it. I also had a pair of sunglasses fall into the driver windshield vent, which I have not retrieved yet.
What I have done: New radiator, new water pump, electrical fan wasn't working, removed it and reinstalled an original mechanical fan, while I still need a shroud extender it seems to be cooling just fine. I removed the fan and resistor, and found what seemed like a birds nest of leaves and trash and cleaned this all out and got improved air flow, yet zero heat.
I suspect a bad mechanism, but cannot rule out the gasket sealer clogging up my heater core. A friend told me a clogged heater core can be blown clear using pressure washer.
I'm about to dive in and see what's going on, but it's also my daily, so I don't want to go too far yet, any and all help appreciated ! TIA