Why Is My Volvo Heater Blowing Cold Air? What’s Going On? From Certified Experts in Decatur Among the various luxury cars that one gets to see on the road, there are a few that give a scare to the big three that is Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW. One such highly popular luxury car brand is Volvo which is known for its performance and features. The popularity of Volvo can be gauged from the number of these cars that one gets to see on the road of Decatur. However, owning a Volvo also comes with its own set of challenges which is regular maintenance and service that are essential for the smooth running and better performance of the car. However, despite your best efforts issues do crop up from time to time that will require the attention of a trained professional for diagnosing and fixing problems. One such concerning problem faced by Volvo drivers is related to the malfunctioning of the air conditioning system in their cars. During the colder months instead of warm air coming out of the vents of the AC system you get to experience cold air which makes it very difficult for you to drive your car. Here in this article, we will discuss the factors that cause the heater in your Volvo to blow hot air instead of cold air.
Inadequate Coolant The coolant is one of the most important fluids in your car that helps in preventing the engine from overheating which everyone gets aware of in the long run. However, one of the least known facts behind the purpose of coolant is its stellar role in providing you with warm air when you turn on the heater. The coolant is made up of 50% anti-freeze and 50% water to help the engine cool down whenever it heats up beyond a certain threshold. During the colder months when you activate the heater core for providing you with warm air, the hot coolant flows in from the engine & blows warm air into the cabin. During the first few minutes, you might feel cool, but subsequently, you will feel warm air blow through the vents. The problem arises when you have an inadequate amount of coolant as enough coolant will not be available to provide you with warm air.
Issues with the Heater Core One of the prominent reasons behind cold air coming out of the AC vents when you turn on the heater core is the failure of the heater itself. There might be disruption in the flow of coolant through the heater core which adversely affects the functioning of the heater core. In addition to this, there can be other issues like the air from the blower motor is unable to reach the coolant or there might be a blockage in the small tubing of the heater core. The heater core resembles a compact radiator and is made up of brass or aluminium. The heater along with providing you with warm air is also responsible for defrosting the vehicle and is situated on the back of the dashboard. If the coolant level is adequate & your car is blowing warm air, then the issue certainly lies with the heater core.
Blockage in Heater Core At times functioning of the heater core over a long period of time generates certain issues as all the mechanical parts are prone to failure after years of usage. Most of the time contaminants that gain entry into the heater core through the coolant block the system. In addition to this, rusting of the radiator from the inside also adds to the issues faced by the heater core when the debris finds its way to the heater core. The heater core needs to be cleaned for optimal functioning.
Faulty Controls & Wires There are instances where issues with the HVAC control translated to problems with the functioning of the heater core. The problem might not be directly related to the heater core but the systems that control its functioning might be faulty. Moreover, issues with the wiring though rare but cannot be ruled out also play spoilsport when it comes to the proper functioning of the heater core.
Finally The above-discussed factors are some of the leading causes behind the malfunctioning of the heater core in your Volvo. If you ever experience any kind of issues with the functioning of the heater core, then take your Volvo to a certified repair shop for diagnosing and fixing the problem.