Hi all,
This is my first Honda (1998 accord LX 4 cylinders), just bought it!
Poor boy, so I gotta "DIY" as much as possible.
A/c is working fine, but no heater. Where and what should I do first?
Please inform what else I should look for. I checked all the fuses, and they are good.
Thanks much in advance
Jack

 

What part of the heating system isn't working ?

 

Fan blows, no warm air.
If I know exactly where, then I probably know how to fix it!

 

Does it blow "absolutely no heat"? Which state do you live in?

Does the car engine gets to operating temperature? When my thermostat was stuck open (failed in the open position), coolant was constantly flowing cooling the engine, not allowing it to get 'warm' enough to blow hot air. When the engine is hot, feel the upper radiator hose. It should be hot and this will tell you if the coolant is actually getting hot.

The heater works by directing coolant through a mini-radiator (heater core) inside your dashboard. The fan simply redirects air to blow over the heater core and then blow the warmed air into your car. If the coolant is hot, the next thing you check is if coolant is getting to your heater core. There are two tubes that flow coolant into the dashboard. If you can trace the routing and find these two tubes, one will go in and one come out. Feel these tubes and feel if they get hot.

If coolant is getting to your heater core, and the heater core is not 'clogged', then you need to check if the 'door' is being opened to redirect air to blow over the heater core. I do not think 'clogged' heater core is a huge problem with import cars. My wife has a taurus, and the heater core clogs predictably every year or two. The Taurus has an iron engine, and so it rusts, and goes into the coolant and clogges the heater core with rust. The Accord has an aluminum engine, so there is no rusting problems. Just to be sure, check the color of your coolant. It should be green colored. If it is rust colored, then it probably clogged the heater core.

Also, check if your temperature **** is actually working,and turning the mechanism behind it. I do not recall if the mechanism is electrical or mechanical.

 

Check the heater valve near the firewall (engine side). It's near the rear motor mount and has a cable that attaches to your temperature ****. This cable is notorious for popping off. Honda even has a TSB about it in which they suggest fitting a small section of vacuum line over the nipple that the cable hooks to to prevent it from coming off.

 

Thanks so much for taking time explain to me. I'll check the heatcore and go from there.
I really appreciate your help.

 

Thanks much for the tip.
I will check that part.
Hopefully, I can fix the heater before the winter arrive.

 

This may seem too easy, but in my Honda Accord—if the radiator fluid level is too low, the heater quits working for whatever reason. So when it happens I know it's time to add more coolant.