Bryant Motors

Ride with the people you trust!
Serving Sedalia, Boonville, Clinton, Jefferson City, Marshall, Warrensburg and Central Missouri
(800) 886-2701
2901 South Limit Ave. Sedalia, MO 65301
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Reasons Why Your Car Heater is Blowing Cool Air

Common car heater problems explained

troubleshooting car heater problems

Car issues can make people scratch their heads. If your car heater is suddenly blowing out cold air instead of heat in the middle of a bitterly cold winter, you have a good reason to be frustrated. Unreliable car heaters can make the cold winter months practically unbearable.

Several things can potentially go wrong with automotive heaters because, much like a home heating system, there are many components working together to heat your car. If one or more of these issues is present, your vehicle may blow out cool air rather than heat:

  • Not enough coolant in the engine
  • Problems with the heater core
  • Clogged or broken heating controls
  • Dysfunctional thermostats
  • Water leaks

Let’s take a look at each of these issues more in-depth…

Reason #1: Not Enough Coolant

Your car uses coolant – usually made up of 50% antifreeze and 50% water – to cool your engine down, especially during the hot months of summer. During the winter when you crank up your heat, the coolant is brought over from the engine to the heater core that then blows warm air into your car.

It can feel cool for the first few minutes because the engine has to warm up in order for the coolant to heat up and provide heat to your interior. If cool air continues to blow out, the first thing you should check is your coolant level. When your car is low on coolant, it won’t be able to send any to the heater core to create warm air.

Reason #2: Problems with Heater Core

Car heater problems are also frequently associated with heater core difficulties: coolant may not be traveling through the heater core properly, the air from the blower motor is not reaching it or there’s a clog in the small tubing of the heater core.

Heater cores, in a nutshell, are cooling system parts that resemble compact radiators. A heater core is made up of brass or aluminum tubing that carries the hot coolant in and out, along with fans that disperse the heat released by the coolant. A heater core is responsible for a vehicle’s defrosting and heating actions. Heater cores are typically situated directly in the back of dashboards.

If your car is not blowing warm air into the cabin and the coolant level is fine, then you could have an issue with your heater core. If you suspect that something is amiss with your car’s heater core, watch for these signs:

  • Fog inside of your car
  • A fruity, sweet-smelling odor
  • Your car using coolant very quickly
  • The engine overheating

Reason #3: Broken or Clogged Heater Controls

Sometimes after using the control buttons for several years, they can get gummed up and stop working. If the coolant levels are fine and there doesn’t seem to be a problem with your heater core, you may need to replace some of the control buttons or your heater control valve. The heater control valve is underneath your hood and acts as the switch that turns the heat on and off. If that piece is not working right, your car could get stuck blowing cool air into the cabin.

Reason #4: Dysfunctional Thermostat

If you notice that your thermostat gauge stays on the “C” even after the engine has time to heat up, you may have a broken thermostat. If the thermostat can’t signal to the car that the engine is warm, the coolant won’t be sent over to provide heat to your heater core and the air will stay cool. Thermostats are a relatively easy and inexpensive fix, so installing a new one can get your heater working again quickly.

Reason #5: Water Leaks

The last common problem with car heaters is a water leak. There are many different places leaks can surface, so be sure to check your hoses, radiator and water pump for damage. If any of these three are leaking, your car heater won’t work properly.

An effective heating system can make for a much more enjoyable winter. If you notice any of these issues or can’t get heat to blow out of your vents, contact a reputable local auto repair shop to look at your heating system. It’s important to address problems with car heaters as soon as possible. If you ignore the problem, it may cause a bigger and more costly issue down the road.

Best Service from Expert ASE-Certified Auto Mechanics

Let us be your Sedalia auto repair shop. Our automotive AC and heater mechanic is standing by.
For reliable, fast, and affordable car repair and maintenance, call or text us today.

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Bryant Motors
2901 South Limit Ave
Sedalia MO 65301
(800) 886-2701
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Full Service Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep Dealership
Serving Sedalia, Warrensburg and Whiteman AFB, Missouri

If you're in the market for a new or used vehicle, we invite you to browse our online showroom or come on down to our dealership and check out our inventory. Bryant Motors has been the premier go-to place for central Missouri's transportation needs for nearly 80 years.

Once you step on the lot or in the showroom, our personable and caring team of auto specialists will show you why we've remained Sedalia's leader for new & used trucks, SUVs, cars and more.

Check Out Our Vehicle Inventory including:

New Cars: Come test drive our Chrysler 200, 300 and Dodge Avenger. The revitalized Dodge Dart provides economical transportation with the handling you'd expect from a sports car. For modern day classics, we recommend Dodge Charger and Challenger. And if you're really in need to speed, the Dodge SRT Viper is in a class all to itself.

New Trucks: Find the best selection of both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive trucks in central Missouri at Bryant Motors. For best-in-class towing & fuel economy, test drive Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for both 2013 and 2014, Dodge's Ram 1500. For a more heavy-duty truck, we recommend Ram 2500 and 3500 models.

New Minivans: Looking to buy a family car? Check out Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. These popular family vans set the standard for minivans.

New SUVs: When it comes to Jeeps, we have the best selection of all Jeep models including Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Patriot and Compass. Dodge SUVs are one of our best sellers. The Dodge Durango provides both power and room, while Dodge's new crossover, the Journey, seats 7 and is the most affordable crossover-SUV on the market today.

Used Cars & Trucks: looking for a good used vehicle? Bryant Motors' pre-owned department carefully screens each used vehicle to ensure you're getting the dependability you need. Choose from a wide array of makes and models, including many one-owner cars, trucks and SUVs.

Find the latest Dodge Ram, Jeep Wrangler and other exciting models, or browse our extensive inventory of quality new and used automobiles

Our Sedalia-based auto dealership serves the new and used car needs of surrounding communities, including Warrensburg and Jefferson City.

Find top-quality Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, including the Ram 1500, Wrangler/Grand Cherokee and other models designed for getting the job done or getting through some of the serious farm and rural country Missouri is known for.

Bryant Motors is centrally located to residents of Sedalia and surrounding areas, as well as vacationers heading to Lake of the Ozarks or Osage Beach.

When you visit our showroom at 2901 S. Limit in Sedalia, you will not only find exciting new Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep models. You'll also find the most knowledgeable and friendly sales staff out in all of central Missouri.

Come visit our dealership near: Warrensburg , Whiteman AFB , Jefferson City, Marshall, Clinton, Boonville

Bryant Motors Auto Service & Repair Serving Sedalia, Warrensburg, Whiteman AFB and Jefferson City

Where you purchased your new Dodge Ram, Grand Caravan or used car is irrelevant - Bryant Motors' service department is here to help with all your automotive maintenance and repair needs.

We offer auto repair and maintenance on all models, regardless of where they were manufactured or purchased.

Whether you need a basic oil change , brake services , auto A/C repair , transmission repair or a total engine overhaul, experienced, factory-trained technicians will get you back on the road as fast as possible.


Find Popular New & Used Cars, Trucks and SUVs:

Chrysler: Chrysler 200 Touring, Chrysler 200 Limited, Town & Country, Chrysler 300

Dodge: Dodge Journey

Ram Trucks: Ram 1500 Ram 2500

Jeep: Patriot Latitude, Compass Latitude, Grand Cherokee (Limited, Overland, Summit), Wrangler

Bryant Motors
Central Missouri Best Car Dealership
Serving Customers in Sedalia, Warrensburg, Whiteman Air Force Base, Jefferson City & Surrounding Areas including Marshall, Boonville, and Clinton, MO