Heater not working

[melhilburn]

Is there a systematic approach to figuring out why my heater isn't working - 1964 chevy c10 - all comments welcome

[geezer#99]

1. Check hoses are hot.
2. Check fuse for blower motor. Replace even if it looks good.
3. Try heater switch.
4. If blower don't work run 12V jumper wire from 12V supply to blower motor.
5. If blower works, suspect switch.
6. If no blower suspect blower motor or bad ground.
7. Hook up jumper wire from ground nearby to blower casing.
8. Still no go.Could be bad blower.
9. To check switch. Turn on and use test light on power connection to blower,
if test light works then switch is good.

[tincan1966]

By "not working" do you mean no heat or no fan blowing?

[kieth]

Originally Posted by melhilburn

Is there a systematic approach to figuring out why my heater isn't working - 1964 chevy c10 - all comments welcome

check the thermostat , if is not working like it is supposed to the water will not get hot very fast.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

"It's broke" is my favorite word because I get to tease ya about all the things that could be wrong beginning with "Verify that you own a truck. Have you tried rebooting it?" LOL!

J/K! But really that doesn't give enough info. What exactly isnt it doing that you think it should be doing?

Heaters are simple devices. They just pump hot water from the engine through a "metal hose" and then it blows air over that hose to heat it, which blows out in your cab.

If it's an electrical problem that's a matter of the switch, fuse, and/or blower connections (or the blower motor, but these last a LONG time). If it's a water issue, it might be that someone didn't want the heater working so they capped the line to it, or it's full of 50 yrs of gunk, or it's hooked up wrong (this actually happens).

Get back with us and give some details and we'll get it handled pretty fast

EDIT: Oh, and if it's blowing like crazy and the motor is running and hot but you get no air, it could be that the vents are full of mouse nests and dirt dobbers. That happens too!

[jbgroby]

Move to New Orleans, you won't need worry about one.

[melhilburn]

Sorry for being vague - the fan doesn't blow air when I turn the air knob on the dash lefto or right.

[melhilburn]

I will check it out it get back with more details tomorrow - Thanks for all the help

[tincan1966]

these systems are very basic and simple. You have power supply, a switch, a resistor and a fan motor. These are notorious for burning the wires out of the plug in at the switch.Also, remove the resistor and check of any one the wires are burnt/broken. Make sure there is a ground wire from the blower motor mounting flange to the body. There isn't usually one originally, since the housing is steel, but I seem to think they work better with one, especially after cleaning and repainting things.

If the harness happens to be damaged, shoot me a PM, I have a complete deluxe harness, from fuse box to switch to resistor(with good resistor) to blower motor.

Hope this is helpful

[1963c-10]

I just converted from the deluxe heater to the economy to make run for the BB engine. The economy is a recirculating heater and my cab is 10-15deg warmer than with the deluxe heater which is a fresh air heater. The heaters are fairly simple as multiple people have said. Took 45min from start to finish to do the swap. Might be worth removing he heater and really cleaning out the entire system. That will give you a good visual of the parts. Id check the resistor that sits on the back side of the heater system also.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Ok, it doesnt blow. But what happens when you turn the knob? Do you hear anything - is the blower coming on but just not putting out air? Or is it dead silent?

[melhilburn]

Doesn't do anything - I think I need a new switch - can you suggest a vendor?

[1963c-10]

Classic parts, LMC, Brothers.....all pretty much the same. Or check Ebay for an OEM switch....probably be a few bucks more, but a better part.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I'd use a jumper wire to bypass the switch to make sure before you spend the dough. You might just need a new blower motor.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by FetchMeAPepsi

I'd use a jumper wire to bypass the switch to make sure before you spend the dough. You might just need a new blower motor.

Good idea

[63ChevC10]

Originally Posted by melhilburn

Doesn't do anything - I think I need a new switch - can you suggest a vendor?

First of all, great advice from fetchmeapepsi. At least you'll know if the motor is good or not. Mine wasn't working at all and I ran a wire straight from the battery and it worked fine. I took the switch out and cleaned it and everything worked like it's supposed to.