What is the heater control valve?
The heater control valve (sometimes called the hot water valve) is used to control the rate at which coolant flows through the heater core. The valve is located on the heater inlet hose. Manually operated systems may use a cable, a vacuum motor or an electric solenoid to operate the valve.
Can you test a heater control valve?
Pinch off the hose on the outlet side of the heater control valve (the hose closest to the firewall) and drive the vehicle at highway speeds. If the blower stops blowing hot air, you’ve found the problem. And, if the air conditioning runs colder with the hose clamped off, the valve is causing the problem.
How do I know if my heater control panel is bad?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing AC Control Switch
- Overheating AC parts. One of the first signs that the AC control switch may be having a problem is that certain parts of the AC may overheat.
- Certain settings not working or working intermittently.
- AC compressor not coming on.
Where is the heater control valve located on a car?
The heater control valve is typically mounted near the firewall, and acts as the valve that allows coolant to flow from the engine to the heater core, which is located inside of the vehicle.
What are the symptoms of a bad heater control valve?
1. Heater doesn’t work. One of the first symptoms of a faulty heater control valve is a heater that fails to produce warm air. If the heater control valve breaks or gets stuck, the coolant flow to the heater core may be restricted or stopped completely.
Why do I need to replace my heater control valve?
During times when the air conditioner is in use, the heater control valve closes, preventing engine coolant from entering the heater core. The result is less heat in the passenger compartment, allowing the air conditioner to work more efficiently. Follow the step-by-step guide below for directions for replacing a faulty heater control valve.
What can cause a heater control valve to crack?
Another common symptom of an issue with the heater control valve is coolant leaks. Over time the heater control valve can wear out and crack, which will cause coolant to leak from the valve.