Help trouble shooting heat

[kevabar]

Ok, looking for some help... 95 2.3 XLT 5spd.

I already tried the blenddoorfix.netfirms.com/ instructions. My actuator works properly. I also checked the top of the blend door (female end) and it moves when the heat control is moved from heat to cold and then back.

Other things... A/C blows cold. Blower motor works on all settings. The coolant hose (closest to the driver's saide) gets hot after the truck reaches temp. The other hose (passenger side) seems to be warm. The radiator is full (opened th cap a tiny bit and coolant came out).

What do you thing my next steps are? (I am not a mechanic but can fix most things given good ditection and maybe some pictures.) Wish I had more to offer these forums, but I can help with plenty of things on VW Vanagons Thanks again!

 

[locovaca]

Backflush your heater core. That's about the only thing you haven't eliminated.

 

[Earl43P]

Many Rangers have a vaccum operated heater valve on the heater hose. Not sure about 94.

If that isn't moving, no coolant flows through the heater core.

 

[kevabar]

Well, I back flushed my heater core 2 nights ago. A little bit of junk cam out but after 3 or 4 minutes the water was running clear. I went back and forth in both directions.

After reconnecting everything, there still is no heat. The inlet lie is still hot after the back flush, but the outlet is cold.

Is my core just shot? Or are there other avenues to look into?

 

[Mutant Pony]

I have seen heater cores get plugged to the point they don't make heat but will flow coolant.
I had a bad heat problem in my '87. I installed a motor that someone had used bars leak in. I flushed and flushed it. Two heater cores later, It will make heat for about two weeks and then I have to back flush it.
I'm not positive that that is your problem but, it sounds like it.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the fact that the coolant is going into the core hot and coming out cool would lead me to believe the core is functioning and not plugged (that heat is unloading somewhere).

perhaps a visual inspection of the heater core is next...ive seen rats and mice build nests in front of heater cores before, thus blocking any heat output.

 

[kevabar]

Ok, I am now really confused. I went and bought a new heater core thinking that was my problem (95 XLT 2.3 with A/C but no heat). I went to install it today and had a few accessibility problems. I threw the towel in and reassmbled my dash with the old heater core still installed. On a quick trip across town, I have heat but now it defaults to defrost!? Can anyone figure this one out- the return of heat?

1. I know my actuator works. I removed it and then reconnected the electrical connector. When I turn the heat selector knob on the dash, the "D" shaft in the actuator turns properly. I did not reinstall this tonight for my drive across town.

2. I visibily saw the top of the Blend Door (where the D-shaft of the acuator goes into). It is in good shape and seats the actuator firmly. I can turn the blend door with a flat-head screw driver. The door moves freely and appears to slowly "spring" back to the full heat position.

Here is where I am baffled. I realized that I pulled apart the main vacuum connector (on the left side directly behind the glove box). I reconnected the vacuum and now I can select defrost, vent, floor etc. I still have heat. Alright- progress. I reinstall my actuator and the heat is gone and now it blows cold air. hmmmmm I disconnect the vacuum, reconnect the vacuum and remove the actuator before starting my truck again. Now, I have hot heat. I cannot control the temp but I can control where it blows.

Help? Why can i not change the temp? I would settle for a manual temp control if i had to, just please don't make me rip apart the dash. Thoughts please?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i wonder if the problem lies in your heater controls themselves....?