Heat not working.

[Island_Yota]

It seemed to be working a month ago but since its been colder out its no longer working. I noticed air in the system when I started it one day I could hear the coolant gurgle through the hoses, only heard it a few more times.. havnt heard it since. The rad was replaced right before I bought the car and they used two different types of coolant(I tested it and its begging to gel), its green fluid aswell, I should be running Toyota red right?

My temp gauge is weird, it will read normal temp, but if I shut off the car and start it back up it will be reading at about 1/4, Im thinking thermostat is stuck open. What else should I check? I noticed the vaccuum valve thing where the heater hoses go through the fire wall, how can I tell if thats working? the hoses feel warm on the inlet and outlet side.

This will determine if I re-insure the car on Saturday or not when it runs out, I need to do the Timing belt asap so I might aswell just pull it apart and drive the truck for now I guess.

 

[tsuper92]

there is a heater valve on the firewall that work's off of vacume.if it's not working right,you can put a zip-tie on it till you get a new one.

 

[shaeff]

Click pics to enlarge.

Pic of said heater valve:


Closeup of where you need to zip-tie up if it's malfunctioning. See that little plunger rod on the bottom? Right there:

 

[Island_Yota]

Click pics to enlarge.

Pic of said heater valve:


Closeup of where you need to zip-tie up if it's malfunctioning. See that little plunger rod on the bottom? Right there:

Yes thats the valve I was talking about, how do I know if its malfunctioning? I tried to move the plunger by hand and couldnt.. I can get a picture if it helps.

 

[shaeff]

If you can't move it (it's usually a bit difficult), then I'd replace it. Go to a junkyard and look at a bunch of Toyota's, as there are many that use the same valve, and if not, you can at least use parts to rebuild yours, if I remember correctly.

Your best bet would be to buy one new, because then it'll last another 20+ yrs.

 

[Island_Yota]

If you can't move it (it's usually a bit difficult), then I'd replace it. Go to a junkyard and look at a bunch of Toyota's, as there are many that use the same valve, and if not, you can at least use parts to rebuild yours, if I remember correctly.

Your best bet would be to buy one new, because then it'll last another 20+ yrs.

Il add it to my list haha, so far its Timing belt, Thermostat, waterpump, and Acc. belts and Red Coolant.

I probably could move it but im afraid of breaking it being that it is 20 years old and this is my daily driver. Which way is it supposed to move so that the heat works? Im still not sure its my problem, right now the plunger is all the way out as far as I can tell..

 

[dumbo]

check the solenoid first. in the pic you can see the vac line going to the diaphram, there is 2 on the solenoid just to the left(not in pic) take the one that goes to the solenoid and put it to the diaphram with car running, if the diaphram actuates, its the solenoid. mine was "open" infinite restance with a ohm meter connect to the plug you CAN see in that pic. hope that helps :icon_bigg


bypass it and you can have heat in the meantime

 

[dumbo]

ohh mine was leaking good btw

 

[Island_Yota]

I can move the plunger by hand, how do I go about zap strapping it so its stuck open? right now the plunger just returns to the "down" position if I force it up, which way is open?. I cant get to school today because the car is frozen solid so its a bit of a problem.

 

[shaeff]

Lift the plunger in the UP position, and use a zip tie, or a small piece of bailing wire to hold it there.

 

[isnms]

or, in my sig, bypass heater vsv

 

[Island_Yota]

Thats what I figured out this morning, bypassed it by pulling the vaccum line off the switch and connected it to the port on top of the diaphram/plunger thing, heat works and it still adjusts like normal..

What exactly is the electric switch for? that would be the part thats broken on mine.

 

[dumbo]

Thats what I figured out this morning, bypassed it by pulling the vaccum line off the switch and connected it to the port on top of the diaphram/plunger thing, heat works and it still adjusts like normal..

What exactly is the electric switch for? that would be the part thats broken on mine.

i was also wondering that. but all i can think is climate control.

 

[dumbo]

ohh btw i told you three days ago

 

[Island_Yota]

ohh btw i told you three days ago

Ya I know, I think the valve was actually stuck though because I broke it loose by forcing it, I tried the vacuum line swap the other day and it didnt do anything so I was like :aigo: got it to work now.. and the climate control still works like normal so.. no idea really what the switch has to do with it? just keeps water out of the heater core?

 

[CPT Furious]

IIRC, the solenoid will cut off any hot water going to your heater core once you set the temp control to the coldest setting (65* in the digital readout). The flapper door will help control the temp, it's just that the solenoid was always keeping the hot coolant away from your core. I had this problem as well...