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2003 Ford Escape XLT - Heater not working
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sunny533
New User
Dec 25, 2010, 8:48 PM
Post #1 of 3
(23294 views)
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2003 Ford Escape XLT - Heater not working
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Please bear with some of my descriptions. I am not a mechanic by any means and don't always know the correct terminology.
2003 Ford Escape XLT, approx. 100k miles on it.
The heater and the defroster started not working about 8 months ago. They did not go out completely at once. The heater would blow nice hot air for a while, about 15-20 minutes, then it would cool down to cold air in just a few minutes. This happened for a while. Now I turn on the heat or defroster and there is no heat whatsoever, just ice cold air.
We checked the fuse for the heater. It is ok. The truck was low on antifreeze, so we added some. After a little while of running the truck, it sucked down some of the antifreeze, so we added a bit more to top it off. The hoses to the radiator are not filling with water. You can squeeze the hoses as there is no pressure in them. The hoses are hot though.
Some neighbors suggested several options could be wrong:
- There is air blocking the flow to the radiator and there should be some kind of a pressure thing to release the air
- Something about a heater core, but I don't know where it is or what it is
- The water pump may not be functioning properly
- The thermostat could be stuck or broken
Like I said, I'm no mechanic. I only posted these suggestions so that those with knowledge of this problem will be able to guide me better. I would be most appreciative of advice from anyone with either mechanical knowledge or someone who has had this problem with their 2003 escape.
Thanks so much & Merry Christmas!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 26, 2010, 6:13 AM
Post #2 of 3
(23286 views)
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Re: 2003 Ford Escape XLT - Heater not working
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With the engine at full operating temp, locate the 2 heater hoses where they go into the firewall and feel them to see if they are both hot to the touch.
If you find that they are both too hot to hold, then the heat in that vehicle is controlled by a blend door that regulates heated air flow. it is operated by an electric motor/actuator. The problem can be that the actuator is stripped or inoperative or the door itself could be damaged. This is what needs to be determined by examining the actuator and see if it is responding to heat change commands or not.
If they are both not too hot to hold on to, then you either have a restricted heater core or the system is not completely full and getting air pockets for some reason.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 27, 2010, 4:37 AM
Post #3 of 3
(23274 views)
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Re: 2003 Ford Escape XLT - Heater not working
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To add: Quote ">>The truck was low on antifreeze, so we added some.<<"
In that you needed to add "coolant" (mix of antifreeze and water) there's a problem with that. Steaming hot air won't block flow but doesn't exchange heat worth a damn.
In that you said you aren't so mechanically inclined you may need some help but look now for evidence of leaks of antifreeze.
Some of these systems don't just fill up so easy to the point you need a machine or know some tricks but there's a problem with why it was low to fix,
T
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