When to replace the heater core in a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am?
If you are losing engine coolant in your 1997 Pontiac Grand Am, and you don’t see any obvious leaking, check the floor in your car. If it is wet, then your heater core is shot and you need to replace it. You might also have a clogged heater core.
What happens if a heater core goes bad?
The heater core itself can go bad. Over time, they are known to clog and fail. If you have a heater core that clogged, it’s not going to be able to pass coolant through. Without the warm coolant going through it, there can be no heat. A bad heater core can also leak, so watch out for that.
What to do if your Grand Marquis heater stops working?
If the heater has stopped working in your Grand Marquis, this process has failed in one way or another. A word of caution: If there is no coolant in your overflow, you can refill it by adding more to the overflow reservoir. There is almost never a situation where you would need to take the radiator cap off of the radiator to add coolant.
How do you replace heater core access cover?
Remove the heater core access cover using a wrench. Remove the heater core mounting bolts using a wrench and pull it out of the vehicle. Place the new heater core in the car and mount it using a wrench. Replace the cover on the heater core box and tighten the bolts with a wrench.
What happens when a heater core goes bad?
A heater core often goes bad due to leaking. As the heater core uses engine coolant to generate heat, a leaking heater core will reduce the amount of coolant in the cooling system. Low coolant will cause an engine to run at a higher temperature, which can result in extensive engine damage. Can a Bad Heater Core Cause Overheating?
What does a heater core look like in a car?
It’s part of the car’s cooling system. It looks exactly like the mini-me version of your radiator, and is, in fact, a small radiator itself, with a grid of little tubes and a waffled appearance from the fins that disperse the heat. Your heater core allows your heater and defroster to function. What Does a Heater Core Do?
What to do if your car has a bad heater core?
Remove any outer doors or casings from things like the fuse box, speakers. and kick panels. Remove the glove box, radio, speakers, and any accessories. Remove any gauges (be careful if you have a speedometer cable back there!). Detach and remove your heater and air conditioner controls.
Where is the heater on a Pontiac Grand Prix?
How to Replace the Heater Core in a Pontiac Grand Prix. The heater core is located right behind the front compartment and dashboard of the Pontiac Grand Prix. Its exact location depends on the size of the car’s engine. If you need to replace the core, you must also replace the seals around the core and its cover.
How do you replace the heater core on a car?
Once the dash is replaced, attach the heater core hoses under the hood. (Note: Replace heater hoses and clamps if needed.) Reattach the negative battery terminal, start the engine and adjust the heater on its highest setting, refill coolant level . Allow the engine to reach operating temperature and check for leaks.
When is the best time to replace a heater core?
Best Practices Always use a quality replacement heater core. Check the condition of the heater hoses. After disconnecting the battery, allow a minimum of 10 minutes before working around the air bag system. Ensure the roundness of the heater core hose fittings to help provide a proper seal.
Where do I remove the heater from my car?
Locate the dash mounting hardware on the left side of dash and remove them. Step 9 – Once the heater hoses have been removed, locate and remove the dashboard mounting bolts, knee bolsters and foot shields on the bottom of the dash assembly, and center console if so equipped to gain access to the heater plenum.
Do you need to remove the glove box when replacing a heater core?
Use caution when installing the heater core, these units are made of thin metal and plastic and are easily broken. Use a digital camera/phone to take pictures during the dis-assembly process, this will aid in reassembly if things get complicated. The glove box will need to be removed in most cases to allow access.
How to replace an automotive heater core step by step?
Step by step guide on how to replace an automotive heater core, though each car is different in complexity, these steps outline the basic procedure. Begin with the vehicle on level ground, engine cold, with the emergency brake on.
How do you replace a heater core in a Chevy Cavalier?
Position the replacement heater core and attach the mounting clamps. Replace the heater core cover and reconnect the heater core outlet. Reconnect any hoses that you can reach from the interior of the car.
How to replace the heater core in a Pontiac Grand Prix?
Unplug the cable from the negative battery terminal. Drain the coolant from the cooling system (make sure you use a clean container for it, if the coolant can be reused). Remove the air cleaner and duct assembly if the Grand Prix has a 3.1L engine. Remove the fuel injector sight shield if it has a 3.8L engine.
Remove the heater core access cover using a wrench. Remove the heater core mounting bolts using a wrench and pull it out of the vehicle. Place the new heater core in the car and mount it using a wrench. Replace the cover on the heater core box and tighten the bolts with a wrench.
Where is the heater core located in a car?
Where Is the Heater Core Located? Your heater core is usually behind your dashboard, under the center or the passenger side. It will have some sort of casing or housing and is usually buried behind almost every other component of the dashboard.