I've searched and responded in a couple threads but there's a larger audience here. I have no heat what so ever, the car just spews cold air in my face, I first noticed the problem last week and restarted it at a stop light and voila I had heat but today I did it twice and nothing. Any ideas?

 

First check your coolant level, in the radiator. Do it after the car has been sitting for a couple hours to cool off. If ok check temp gauge with car warmed up. It should be right around the halfway mark. If it's low, that would be a thermostat. Get it from the dealer. If the coolant's low, obviously you've got to find out where it's going. If you can't find a leak, but have low coolant, get the system pressure tested. It could also be the water control valve, or a partially plugged heater core.

 

I have a similar problem where the heat wont kick on based on the temp setting. I have to turn the system off and then turn the knob all the way up and when I start getting a blast of hot air, I then have to turn it down to the temp I want.

 

Heater control valve- located on firewall where heater hoses go thru
cable or spring issues- clean and lube, retest operation

then thermostat or water pump as possibles

 

we also have a known issue with the air control mix motor inside dash
ck the diy links for that one

 

Note: please include in post if you have the NAVIGATION electronic dash or the standard type with big knobs controlling temp and fan speed

nav cars have an electronic temp system that's got some differances

 

I had heat this morning, ran the car a while with trying to turn it on and it worked, but I doubt it will be consistent. I'm a non-nav my temp gauge is fine always reading a smidge below half.

 

I checked the DIY section already could you hold my hand here 01tl4tl as you always do. PLEASE!!!

 

A search on the subject of interest may yield the desired info quicker, unless ya wanna wait for 01tl4tl.

 

sorry, hands busy hanging on to motorcycle grips attempting to pull themselves from my grasp~

use an outside search engine for what you want with: bla blah blahh (your year) TL + acurazine.com

that will find 3 letter things- our search is min 4 letters, so DIY air and mix wont pick up in a search!
I know others have written of their experience even if not in the official diy list

 

Run the HVAC self diagnosis test. Car might just tell you exactly what is wrong.

 

I posted a photo almost four years ago about the cable to clean/lubricate here:

https://acurazine.com/forums/problem.../#post12440717

However, the photo doesn't seem to load anymore even though I uploaded to the forums as opposed to a hosting site. I'm pretty sure I didn't keep the original photo, but here's a low res version that another site swiped but Google cached:

Google Image Result for https://acurazine.com/forums/picture.php%3Falbumid%3D6724%26pictureid%3D35967

 

K7 - does the non navi dash have the ability to display self diagnostics on ac system?
there is no screen, just a knob for temp control and the other for fan speed

 

Yes

 

I found the DIY and thank you for the responses guys I'll look into it today, but weirdly it's working like every other day now. This car is so freaking moody I swear.

 

sometimes weirdness with the heater is from a bad/occasional sticking thermostat
how old is yours? most shops/owners don't even replace it at the 105, so its likely whatever age/miles the car is at
Also the heater shutoff/control valve at firewall is always a good suspect
Coolant age can be a factor too! max 5 years between flush and some brands only get 3 years! the additives go sour and acidic = eats rad from inside

way to go with the diagram Kris- that's why you are the all knowing mega mod!

 

Unfortunately I'm unsure of the age so long as I've owned the car I haven't had it replaced also the diagnostic displayed nothing so I assume that means nothing is wrong correct? I'm going to put some lithium grease on the area wng suggested today.

 

start at the valve controlling water/coolant flow to/thru mini rad known as the heater core!

some wd to get crud loose to start. Any penetrating spray is fine- use what you have!

NO temp gauge fluctuations at all?

 

no codes means nothing wrong- that is correct Sir!!!, your heater is not effed up - you are having HOT FLASHES
welcome to Early Onset Menopause


was that enough red to indicate sarcasm and joking?

 

"Rather Sporadic" ???

 

You're killing me. More like lack of hot flashes, I'm freezing my tits off in the mornings. I had heat this morning after applying lithium grease. Let's hope I have some tomorrow.

 

You can say that again..

 

have buddy operate temp control while you observe the mechanisms motion

 

^^Not a bad suggestion sir, Although I'm happy to report spraying the s*** out of the mechanism with lithium grease seems to have done the job for now.

 

is that a spray mist like wd or silicone, or a solid based grease?

having actual observation of the valve in action is key to understanding its current operating condition

 

It's a spray lubricant made by WD-40

 

I'm going with the diagnosis of, "funky operating mix motor", if you've checked the coolant and stuff. Here's some pics i just took, if you need to reference them.

My experience with it was in the winter (jan/feb) of 2009, when my nuts were in my throat because my heat wasn't working all of a sudden. I reached down one day and lightly held the linkage, turned the temp to max cold then to max warm, and the linkage wouldn't move. So i turned the temp from cold to warm again and this time i assisted the linkage by pulling it to the left (that's the direction it goes when you turn it to hot), and it worked. I did that several times in that winter season, saying i would change it in the spring, but it started working again and i forgot about it. I may actually have a worn/broken tooth on the plastic gear inside.

So if it is your problem, yank it, open it, give it some care, and put it back.

 

thanks for the very helpful pics and tips!

 

Np. Btw, when i said "yank it", in my head i was was implying to remove the module and do your maintenance, but yeah, check the linkage movement first of course as described.

 

Try this "DIY" by Skirmich on the air mix motor:

DIY: A/C Air Mix Motor Repair - AcuraZine Community