Heat Only When The Car Is Moving

[wharriso]

Hello all!
This is a strange problem. I noticed the past few times I drove my Explorer that the head does not blow unless I am driving down the road. When I stop, so does the heat. Fans are still blowing, they are just blowing cool. Its really something that I can live with but I am really hoping it is not tip of a looming iceberg of problems. Has anyone seen this issue before?

 

[ProjectSHO89]

Read this thread from this week: 2012 Explorer Heat Issue

 

[wharriso]

Read this thread from this week: 2012 Explorer Heat Issue

I checked that unresolved issue but it is not the same as the problem I am having. The heat is great as long as I am driving, doesn't work when I am just idling.

 

[ProjectSHO89]

The referenced thread has the specific information you need to diagnose or, at least, move forward.

 

[peterk9]

Hello all!
This is a strange problem. I noticed the past few times I drove my Explorer that the head does not blow unless I am driving down the road. When I stop, so does the heat. Fans are still blowing, they are just blowing cool. Its really something that I can live with but I am really hoping it is not tip of a looming iceberg of problems. Has anyone seen this issue before?

Have you checked the coolant level? Low coolant could cause that issue as could a few other things.

Car Heat Only Works While Driving - What To Do

For most people, it seems like a season can't go by without having to deal with some kind of a mechanical issue. One of the worst examples of this is when your car's heater isn't working properly in the winter. A common and often perplexing version of this is when your heater only works while […]

vehq.com

Peter

 

[wharriso]

Have you checked the coolant level? Low coolant could cause that issue as could a few other things.

Car Heat Only Works While Driving - What To Do

For most people, it seems like a season can't go by without having to deal with some kind of a mechanical issue. One of the worst examples of this is when your car's heater isn't working properly in the winter. A common and often perplexing version of this is when your heater only works while […]

vehq.com

Peter

Boy do I feel like a dummy! I recently rebuilt the engine on a car newer than this yet I couldn't figure out that the antifreeze was low. Thanks!

 

[Turdle]

Boy do I feel like a dummy! I recently rebuilt the engine on a car newer than this yet I couldn't figure out that the antifreeze was low. Thanks!

Better check your oil for signs of coolant mix

 

[honky]

A few weeks ago as it is getting colder, I noticed that even if I cranked the 2013 Explorer Sport up and let it run 10 minutes or so to heat up the engine that the windshield would not clear off much unless I revved the engine to about 1,800 rpm. Then you could feel the heat coming out. Also in the Summer, I complained to the dealership that if I pulled into someplace with the air-conditioner running, that as soon as the engine began to idle--the air conditioning seemed to stop with just minorly cool air coming out of the system. Dealership told me that it was normal for this to happen. Never happened before to me with all the other vehicles I have owned over 80 years. Winter is near. So, I will let you know what happens up here. Something is wrong--but, I cannot figure it out either. Hopefully, we will see.

 

[wharriso]

A few weeks ago as it is getting colder, I noticed that even if I cranked the 2013 Explorer Sport up and let it run 10 minutes or so to heat up the engine that the windshield would not clear off much unless I revved the engine to about 1,800 rpm. Then you could feel the heat coming out. Also in the Summer, I complained to the dealership that if I pulled into someplace with the air-conditioner running, that as soon as the engine began to idle--the air conditioning seemed to stop with just minorly cool air coming out of the system. Dealership told me that it was normal for this to happen. Never happened before to me with all the other vehicles I have owned over 80 years. Winter is near. So, I will let you know what happens up here. Something is wrong--but, I cannot figure it out either. Hopefully, we will see.

These Explorers have a heat regulator attached to one of the coolant lines going into the firewall, they go bad sometimes. Are both of the lines hot? It could also be the heater core needs flushing.

 

[texsn95]

Our is doing this too, and the coolant level in the puke tank is pretty close to the bottom. Immediately on driving it will blow warm, I'll bring the level up and see if it helps.

 

[peterk9]

Our is doing this too, and the coolant level in the puke tank is pretty close to the bottom. Immediately on driving it will blow warm, I'll bring the level up and see if it helps.

Let's hope the low level is due to not keeping an eye on it and not a leaking water pump.

Peter

 

[texsn95]

Once I raise it, I'll get a good baseline level and will monitor it. I've got a year left on my ESP and it needs new front control arms, but will give it more time to see if the level is indeed dropping.