View Full Version : 1998 jeep cherokee has minimal heat
wallykap
Feb 9, 2013, 09:18 AM
My jeep has low heat. Last summer we changed water pump which had NO vanes to pump water. Engine was back flushed. Recently a freeze plug was replaced and all was good. Temp gauge doesn' t reach normal high temp. A guess would be - from gauge - that temps go up to 160. Any ideas??
countusin2
Feb 9, 2013, 10:17 AM
I know what causes no vanes on a water pump. Antifreeze becomes more and more acidic over time (years of not being changed) finally getting so acidic it can eat though water pump vanes and freeze plugs. I would change the temp sending unit its properly damaged also...
TxGreaseMonkey
Feb 9, 2013, 10:19 AM
Reverse flush the heater core.
ma0641
Feb 9, 2013, 10:33 AM
reverse flush the heater core.
x2
countusin2
Feb 10, 2013, 02:00 PM
Heaters now days are computer controlled using information gathered from the sending units. My aunts car is doing the same thing, unplug the sending unit and the heater won't get hot at all. Of course the water is hot, but without the info the computer won't open the doors that allow the air to flow though the heater core and into the auto..
ma0641
Feb 10, 2013, 03:20 PM
heaters now days are computer controlled using information gathered from the sending units. my aunts car is doing the same thing, unplug the sending unit and the heater won't get hot at all. of course the water is hot, but without the info the computer won't open the doors that allow the air to flow though the heater core and into the auto..
True but this Jeep is 15 yrs old. My 96 was still buttons and cables!
Mcsap9213
Feb 10, 2013, 03:22 PM
Use cardboard to directly block the radiator if you want a cheap and quick "fix". I had an old Plymouth Acclaim like this and it made a big difference. Not allowing the passing air to help cool it down should give you more heat.
Just remove it in the spring.