Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.

Car was overheating almost to the. red, turned heater on,first blew cold air then warm air for just a minute then cold air again. Car died while ,pulled over put plenty of water in it. Sat for 20- 30 minutes. Car turns over but wont start.

My car has 180000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi There,
The heater not working may be related to the overheating problem you are also having due to a faulty heater blower motor or potentially a bad heater core. As you may know, the heater core is a small radiator like unit that circulates the hot coolant from the engine through the heater core which then uses this warm coolant to heat the inside of the car with the help of the blower motor that blows the warm air through the vents inside the car. When the cooling system is not properly circulating coolant through the motor, this results in the warm coolant not being pumped through the heater core properly in order to warm the inside of the vehicle. In some cases there may be air pockets in the heater core which can cause the heating of the inside of the vehicle to fluctuate between warm and cool air erratically.

Engine overheating can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat, or a failing coolant fan switch. As you may know the coolant fan switch helps to maintain the proper coolant temperature by turning on and off at specific temperature thresholds. When this switch is not working properly, this can cause the fans to come on intermittently, all the time or sometimes not at all. When this happens you will notice a temperature spike and drop occasionally as the fan comes on and off. When your thermostat is not working properly or is stuck closed, this will not allow the coolant to properly circulate through the engine, which may cause the engine temperature to fluctuate erratically or in some cases just remain hot. As mentioned above, this also restricts the warm coolant from flowing through the heater core which uses this to blow warm air into the cab of the vehicle. I would suggest having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose your cooling system.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

If your coolant level is a-okay, but your car heater is blowing cold air and your engine is overheating, then you have a clog in your cooling system. Conversely, if your engine temperatures are unrealistically low after a drive, your thermostat is likely the culprit.
Causes of this can be not having enough coolant, a broken thermostat, a damaged heater core bypass valve, or a blockage in the core itself. If you encounter any of these issues, you should never drive an overheating car. Have it towed to an auto shop if you must, but you never want to risk your car`s engine.
The most common reasons a Pontiac Grand Am is overheating are a coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.), the radiator fan, or a failed thermostat. Coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.)
In general, it`s because something`s wrong within the cooling system and heat isn`t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.
Coolant is low or weak: The most common culprit when an engine overheats is low or weak coolant. If your car doesn`t have enough coolant, then it can`t absorb enough heat. While your car will naturally lose small amounts of coolant over the years, a leak is the most likely cause of low coolant levels.
The coolant temperature sensor on your 2004 Pontiac Grand Am is located in the intake manifold, right next to the thermostat housing.
How long can a car overheat before damage occurs? It only takes 30-60 seconds of overheating for permanent damage to infiltrate a vehicle. As soon as you notice signs of overheating, you need to act. Failure to do so might result in troubles like coolant leaks, damaged radiator caps, and a faulty cooling fan.
Start your car`s engine and allow it to idle. Look through the radiator filler neck to see if the coolant flows. At this time, it should not be flowing as your car has not reached the operating temperature to cause the thermostat to open. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.
Faulty Thermostat

Once the engine reaches operating temperature, the valve will open and coolant will begin to flow through the engine. A faulty thermostat might remain closed even when the engine is hot, which can quickly lead to overheating.

Sign 1: Temperature Gauge

While you might be tempted to think this reflects the outdoor temperature (some cars have this feature, too) the temperature gauge reflects how hot your engine is. When you see it rising towards the red temperature indicator, your engine is overheating.

If your car is still running as normal even though the engine overheated (aside from the rising temperature), you can turn your heat on while you wait for assistance as this will help to pull heat off the engine and might help to salvage it if possible.
Engine Damage from an Overheated Engine

Engine performance is lost because cylinder heads are generally made from aluminum and warp much faster than iron. The worst-case scenario for an engine to continue to overheat is the engine block can crack.

Radiator Hose Troubles:

Another symptom of a clogged or faulty radiator is if the radiator hoses are hot to touch. The hoses carry the car coolant from the radiator to the engine. If the hoses are hot, it means that the coolant is not flowing correctly and the engine is overheating.

Low coolant can sometimes cause a head gasket on your engine block to blow. If this happens, you may notice smoke emitting from the engine or tailpipe, a loss of power, engine knocking sounds, or decreased efficiency.
Technically speaking yes you can use plain water in your cooling system but it isn`t recommended as a long term solution and certainly not in extreme weather conditions.
Common signs include coolant leaks at the front-center of the car, loose water pump pulley, overheating engine, and steam coming from the radiator.
Leaks are the #1 reason a vehicle begins to overheat. Leaks in hoses, the radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, heater core, head gasket, freeze plugs and a few other things can all lead to problems with the vehicle`s cooling system.
A coolant temperature sensor (CTS) (also known as an ECT sensor or ECTS (engine coolant temperature sensor) is used to measure the temperature of the coolant/antifreeze mix in the cooling system, giving an indication of how much heat the engine is giving off.
If the coolant tank is full, the problem may be electrical or mechanical in nature, in which case a tow to the nearest repair shop is definitely in order. A leaking hose, worn or broken fan belt, bad water pump, or malfunctioning thermostat may be the culprit.
Faulty heater cores and low or contaminated coolant levels often come hand in hand, and both issues may lead to your engine overheating and your heater not blowing hot air.
Here are the most common reasons why your car heater isn`t blowing hot air. Low coolant: Whether caused by a leak or water evaporation, low coolant is the most common source of poor heater output. Thermostat: A stuck-open thermostat prevents the engine (and coolant) from heating up.
Here are the most common reasons why your car heater isn`t blowing hot air. Low coolant: Whether caused by a leak or water evaporation, low coolant is the most common source of poor heater output. Thermostat: A stuck-open thermostat prevents the engine (and coolant) from heating up.
You shouldn`t drive with an overheating engine, so you want to find a safe place to pull over and turn off the engine. Call a tow truck or give your engine at least 15 minutes to cool down before driving to the nearest repair shop.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.
ANSWER : Hi There,
The heater not working may be related to the overheating problem you are also having due to a faulty heater blower motor or potentially a bad heater core. As you may know, the heater core is a small radiator like unit that circulates the hot coolant from the engine through the heater core which then uses this warm coolant to heat the inside of the car with the help of the blower motor that blows the warm air through the vents inside the car. When the cooling system is not properly circulating coolant through the motor, this results in the warm coolant not being pumped through the heater core properly in order to warm the inside of the vehicle. In some cases there may be air pockets in the heater core which can cause the heating of the inside of the vehicle to fluctuate between warm and cool air erratically.

Engine overheating can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat, or a failing coolant fan switch. As you may know the coolant fan switch helps to maintain the proper coolant temperature by turning on and off at specific temperature thresholds. When this switch is not working properly, this can cause the fans to come on intermittently, all the time or sometimes not at all. When this happens you will notice a temperature spike and drop occasionally as the fan comes on and off. When your thermostat is not working properly or is stuck closed, this will not allow the coolant to properly circulate through the engine, which may cause the engine temperature to fluctuate erratically or in some cases just remain hot. As mentioned above, this also restricts the warm coolant from flowing through the heater core which uses this to blow warm air into the cab of the vehicle. I would suggest having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose your cooling system.

Read Full Q/A … : Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.

When I turn on my AC the radiator fans do not turn on. The fans do come on when the car warms up so I know they are working and the fuses are good. The AC compressor does come on and the air blows ice cold when the car is moving. Car is a 2006 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7l v6.
ANSWER : The control circuit for the fans needs to be checked. For example, there is usually a condenser fan relay in the A/C electrical controls. There could be a fault with that relay and/or wiring problems, perhaps even just a loose connection, blown or loose fuse, and so forth. To resolve something like this, the recommended service is an electrical component diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic service, the responding certified mechanic will get the problem pinpointed and resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.

Why is my car heater blowing cold air? I start my car, give it a few minutes and the heater never heats up.
ANSWER : The lack of heat being generated by your system may indicate a clogged heater core. The [heater core]((https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heater-is-not-working-inspection) is a small radiator like unit that circulates the hot coolant from the engine through the heater core which then uses this warm coolant to heat the inside of the car with the help of the blower motor that blows the warm air through the vents inside the car. The other possibility is that the thermostat may not be allowing the engine to reach a normal operating temperature and since the engine’s warm coolant is the essential source of the heater core supplying heat to the inside of the vehicle, this can impact the warmth of the heat inside the vehicle. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose your heating system.

Read Full Q/A … : Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.

My car heater will blow hot air and drive fine for 30 minutes then my heater blows cold air and my car overheats
ANSWER : Hello. With the recent repairs that have been made to the vehicle, there is only one main heating component that you have not looked into. This would be your heater core. The heater core is responsible for pulling hot coolant from the engine. This hot coolant runs through the heater core as the ambient air is pushed through to warm before entering the cabin. If the coolant can’t flow through the heater core, then the air will blow cold. This can be caused by a clog, a faulty switch, or a process known as electrolysis (electrical current running through coolant). Unless there is a clog that can be dislodged, these issues will all result in a new heater core. To get a precise diagnosis of the problem, I recommend having an expert inspect the overheating problem so this can be resolved.

Read Full Q/A … : Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.

My car was overheating and when I turned the heater on, it would blow cold air. I just replaced the thermostat and my car is still overheating
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. This is likely due to bad coolant circulation. This can the be the result of several issues. Due to the fact you just replaced the thermostat, the issue may be due to another clog in the system. Start by attempting to solve the simple problems. Flush the radiator and attempt to clear any debris that may be stuck in the system. It is also possible for the heater core to become clogged as well. Water pumps are another source of poor circulation. These can be replaced, but are not serviceable. Keep a very close eye on the level of coolant. If you are loosing coolant, where is it going? Do you see a puddle? Is it being burned in the engine? These observations can help diagnose more serious issues if the first suggestions did not solve the issue. Here at YourMechanic, we can also have a technician come to your home or office to inspect this overheating issue for you, and make or suggest the necessary repairs.

Read Full Q/A … : Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.

I have a 2006 dodge charger 2.7 that has been overheating and the heater is blowing out cold air, warm air, and sometimes hot air
ANSWER : Hi there:

Overheating issues can be very difficult to pinpoint without completing a physical inspection. If your heater is not blowing warm air, it’s very possible that you have a clogged heater core coolant line; which can cause engine overheating or the heater core valve is damaged; which can also cause the same situation to occur. It’s best for you to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is overheating inspection so they can pinpoint the source of your issues and recommend the right repairs.

Read Full Q/A … : Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.

everytime I turn my car on the ac starts to blow air even if I switch it off. it won’t blow cold air or heat.
ANSWER : Hi there. Based on your question and input, it looks like your AC control switches are damaged, causing the vents to activate even if the switch is not activated. This is sometimes an electrical problem, as it could be triggered by a damaged electrical relay. You might want to have a professional mechanic complete an AC is not working inspection, so they can determine what is causing this issue you’re experiencing and recommend the right repair.

Read Full Q/A … : Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.

Oil leaking from under car and "remote control car" sound when car is first started for a few minutes until it warm up.
ANSWER : Hello,
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.

Read Full Q/A … : Car was overheating almost to the red. I turned heater on, first it blew cold air then warm air for just a minute, then cold air.

Eric smoalih

I am a certified master technician with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and I have been working as an auto mechanic for over 15 years. I am passionate about my work, and I take great pride in helping people keep their cars running smoothly.