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chirping and no heat


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nc dodge
Novice

Feb 7, 2009, 5:00 AM

Post #1 of 12 (2558 views)
chirping and no heat Sign In

2001 Dodge Ram heater went out a month ago, so did the water pump. I had the pump replaced but the heater still does not work. The blower works and there is a chirping sound when I turn up the fan. any ideas?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 7, 2009, 5:43 AM

Post #2 of 12 (2555 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

Is there obvious air flow out of any ducts? Chip sound could be a blower motor issue - either the motor itself or something caught in it.

For right now - IS THERE AIRFLOW AT ALL?

T

Ps: Took out the other post tagging on another vehicle's issue



nc dodge
Novice

Feb 7, 2009, 8:26 AM

Post #3 of 12 (2552 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

Yes, there is plenty of air floiw, I felt the hoses going into the firewall. the black rubber ones are hot, the silver (AC?) ones are not.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 7, 2009, 8:32 AM

Post #4 of 12 (2548 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

OK: Don't worry about the A/C lines for now as they really have nothing to do with heat at the moment. Even if heat and A/C were fighting with each other the heat should win.

Now it's the "chirping" noise that may be the issue. Can you change that noise by asking for cooler air then back to warmer air or any other change like fan speed that changes that noise? If fan speed related it's a clue and a maybe.

There should be a "blend door" that adjusts the amount of heat that will pass on to cabin ducts. Some use an electric actuator motor to turn a flap and may sound like a stripped gear trying to change the postition of the flap door.

My guess it that will be found to be the problem but only a guess.

Hopefully Loren here is watching and will chime in if he knows where and how to check and or replace that actuator if it is found to be the fault,

T



nc dodge
Novice

Feb 7, 2009, 10:16 AM

Post #5 of 12 (2540 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

 I was thinking something might have gotten stuck in it, since it is a dodge and all 2001's dash's are cracked beyond belief but, I dont know how to check this? Not sure where the door is, but. The chirping was going before the water pump went out. Does this narrow it down any?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 7, 2009, 10:44 AM

Post #6 of 12 (2538 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

Arggh! Did you make a post before about duct parts broken beyond repair on this vehicle? I haven't heard of a tendancy for that YET in these trucks but it's scary if this is common for some reason. Sunlight heat shouldn't really be enough and UV rays can hurt plastics over time but these parts are out of direct light?? You just mentioned you'd seen this before - I haven't but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

If a chunk of something did break off there's a chance you could clear it out going thru by removing blower motor and the squirrel cage. There are cases where rodent nests, leaves or junk gets in a causes issues and some can be fixed that way. Not sure if you can fix much from just that access and taking it totally apart may render the whole distribution box junk if that brittle with some out of control price tag no doubt - catastropically expensive to send out with a very high # of hours needed to do that completely! Egad - hope not.

If this chirping is fan speed related it should be either the motor or the squirrel cage making the noise but that doesn't account for loss of heat by itself - yet. May have to get in to look.

Check for recalls if you think this is too common for where you are. Heat damage would be worse in many other places than SC if that's where you are,

T



nc dodge
Novice

Feb 7, 2009, 11:41 AM

Post #7 of 12 (2534 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

Tom, It is only the dash and plastics, I think from 1999-2002 Dodge Raams, google it, alot of PO's people and Dodge wont fix, no recall. there is nothing broken/cracked whee the chirping seem sto be comming from. I want to start with the basic checks because from experience, this is usually the problem. Thankfully it is warm in NC tomorrow. it does blow semi warm, more after I get up to 55 for a few minutes but not like it used to. I have checked fuses, looked around connections, been told heater core but, thats beyond me! the radiator is full and the reserve. help me out, please say this is something simple!


nc dodge
Novice

Feb 7, 2009, 11:42 AM

Post #8 of 12 (2533 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

I should spell check myself


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 7, 2009, 12:01 PM

Post #9 of 12 (2529 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

If it can do some warm than flush the heck out of the core. That alone is telling of how much junk it in there and the flow available - doesn't account for any noise though.

If core is restricted there would be a warm/hot inlet heater hose and a cool outlet/return hose as all available heat would have been taken away. When perfect they both stay a bit hot as there's ample hot coolant to make heat in most applications. If not leaking a core should be flush able most of the time. If that works satisfactorily do the whole cooling system too or you should anyway if not done anytime recently. Don't overdo antifreeze either! Not more than 50/50 mix and don't mess that up. Too strong just won't throw as much heat!

The plastic issue: If it's just cosmetic stuff it just a plain bummer. Every vehicle I've ever known had something boneheaded about it or just plain cheap.

Wish we could take all the perfect ideas and stuff, stick them all in one and end this bullsh*t of re-engineering the wheel every ten years with things that already proved right!

Spel chek by GugleWink

T



Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran / Moderator
Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Feb 7, 2009, 12:06 PM

Post #10 of 12 (2526 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

Just checked Mitchell; Says you must remove instrument cluster and heater assy. to access the blend door actuator. (3.5 hrs) Doesn't sound like a friendly job.Unsure Both of the heater hoses, supply and return, should be of equal temp., and about the same as the radiator hoses once the engine reaches temperature. You can buy a digital infra-red temp tester (fairly inexpensive) to do these tests. And, they are nice to have around. If the heater hose temps are not equal or markedly lower than the radiator hoses, you may have a plugged heater core. Or, an air pocket if the system hasn't been bled well enough. You can 'carefully' remove the hoses from the heater core and, using a garden hose, flush the core both directions. I would check the things Tom suggested, first, though. With the noise you are getting, it's very possible that something has fallen into the ducting, blocking a blend door.
Loren
SW Washington

(This post was edited by Loren Champlain Sr on Feb 7, 2009, 12:12 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 7, 2009, 1:57 PM

Post #11 of 12 (2522 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

Hey Loren - Thanks for checking in on this thread and the estimated time for that. Actually that sounds low to me for time allowed by Mitchels but we know this is not fun stuff.

Good luck with it,

T



nc dodge
Novice

Feb 8, 2009, 2:52 AM

Post #12 of 12 (2512 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Ram chirping and no heat Sign In

Thanks Tom, Loren, I will try the heater core first, and hope!






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