If your car heat is blowing cold air when you try to turn it on, there might be an issue with the vent door or the blend door actuator. Find out how this can cause this problem, how to fix it, and other parts that can leave your car blowing cold air when you turn on the heat with these tips in this video from our expert mechanic Andy.
Car Parts That Can Cause the Heat to Be Blowing Cold Air
Maybe the heat in your car is only blowing hot on one side and cold on the other or it’s not working when turned on. You might also hear a clicking noise from behind the dash vents when you try to turn on the heat.
Bad Blend Door Actuator
If you hear a clicking noise inside the dash along with the heat not working, most likely the problem is the blend door actuator. Blend door actuators attach to the heater box. The heater box is located below the dash and houses parts like the blower motor and heater core.
The blend door actuator opens and closes the blend door in the heater box. The blend door helps direct airflow when you turn the AC or heat on. If there’s a problem with the blend door, that may also cause the heat to not work in your car.
Sometimes you can access the blend door actuator from beneath the glove box. They are attached by a few screws and an electrical connector and are usually easy to replace.
Bad Blend Door
After removing the blend door actuator, you may find a broken knob that controls the blend door. You can turn the knob and listen for the blend door inside the heater box moving. It should open and close as you turn the knob. If the blend door is stuck, the knob won’t open and close the door but spin in place instead. The knob should also not be loose where it can be pulled in and out or up and down. If this is the problem, replacing the blend door actuator won’t fix it.
To fix the blend door you’ll need to have the refrigerant recovered by a professional since the AC evap core is inside the heater box. You’ll also need to remove interior components to access the blend door, like the dash.
More Tips for a Car That Is Blowing Cold Air with the Heat On
- Heat Not Working in Your Car? Tips to Diagnose Heater Core Problems
- Car Heater Blowing Cold Air and No Heat?
- Why Does My Car Heater Blow Cold Air?
- Heater Is Blowing Cold Air? How to Diagnose the Heat Not Working in Your Car
- No Heat in Your Car Or Truck?
- Car Heater Not Working?
- Is Your Car Heater Not Blowing Air?
- Heater Stopped Working: How 1A Auto Helped Me Fix My Chevy Truck’s Blower Motor Problems
Shop Quality Auto Parts
