Heater issues?

[SwissCheeseHead]

I kind of alluded to this issue in the Heated seat thread but figure I should make a separate thread about it so that it doesn't get lost in that discussion.

Pretty much copied and pasted from that other thread:

When I have my heater cranked up I only feel warm air coming out of the driver's side vents but cool air on the passenger side vents, like as if the fan was just blowing without any heated air. When it's on auto, it's difficult to tell that thecabin is heating up because it directs it to the foot vents. Thoughts on this?

I'm pretty sure the coolant has never been drained and filled, but even then, the car only has 33K miles on it so it shouldn't be a clogged heater core or anything like that.

I'm betting the cabin filter was never replaced either. The dumb previous owner neglected the poor gal.

[SwissCheeseHead]

To add, I just bought a replacement WIX cabin filter and will change it out this weekend. in the meantime, do you guys think it might be something else (bigger)?

[SwissCheeseHead]

Would someone be able to blast their heater at 90F in face vent/foot vent mode and let me know if they get warm air on both passenger side and driver side? Face vent and foot vent? Much appreciated!

[SmoovC]

I know this sounds really rudimentary, but is the dual climate control on?

[SwissCheeseHead]

Lol. No. It is off. With it on, both sides at 90F it still blows ambient air.

[SmoovC]

Ok, I was sure you had checked, but sometimes it is the simple things, ya' know?! I will blast mine on the way home (as outlined in your post) and report back.

[Ilya]

Would someone be able to blast their heater at 90F in face vent/foot vent mode and let me know if they get warm air on both passenger side and driver side? Face vent and foot vent? Much appreciated!

Pretty sure mine does. I'll report back tonight.

[SwissCheeseHead]

Alright. Thanks. This Would be the second issue with this car

[Ilya]

Definitely blows hot air from both driver side and passenger side, regardless of what setting I put the system into.

[509CAB]

I hope this comes out right? I'm new here just want to say first post... Now to the issue in hand, I just had this fixed on my car and thay had to rip my dash out to replace the parts with the duel heater relay. I was having the same problems you are but after 3 weeks I have my car back and everything works great. I did get a loaner from them (Q50) and that was cool to drive. This was a big job.

Cab

[SwissCheeseHead]

I hope this comes out right? I'm new here just want to say first post... Now to the issue in hand, I just had this fixed on my car and thay had to rip my dash out to replace the parts with the duel heater relay. I was having the same problems you are but after 3 weeks I have my car back and everything works great. I did get a loaner from them (Q50) and that was cool to drive. This was a big job.

Cab

Welcome cab!

So it took them 3 weeks to do?!?!?

I did listen to see if I could hear the parts moving around when i changed the different modes and all the doors sound like they are moving back and forth. I'm assuming you got it done under warranty? My warranty is out so anything that I would have to do like that would be out of pocket. I'm going to start with the easy things first. Check the heater hoses, do a cabin filter change and possibly do a coolant drain and fill.

If not, then I'll take it to the dealership and have them diagnose the problem...then decide if I can DIY the job or not.

[SwissCheeseHead]

Definitely blows hot air from both driver side and passenger side, regardless of what setting I put the system into.

Thanks for checking. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't some crazy Nissan thing lol.

[SmoovC]

I can also confirm that hot air blows from both sides, top & bottom.

[SwissCheeseHead]

I can also confirm that hot air blows from both sides, top & bottom.

Thanks for letting me know.

[509CAB]

yes it was under warranty, cost parts & labor about 2k
the reasoning for the 3 weeks was a list of things the master mechanic that was working on my vehicle went on vacation, which I was cool with, I didn't want another mechanic working on it that's never done it, and with ordering parts it was back and forth, all in all they were great they also fixed a couple things that were not covered under my warranty for free.
I can email you what they had to order if you would like, also check to see if it's on the recall list...

Cab

[coolchuck]

Man, I need to double check this before my waranty goes out especially since I dont drive the car much during winter.

[SwissCheeseHead]

yes it was under warranty, cost parts & labor about 2k
the reasoning for the 3 weeks was a list of things the master mechanic that was working on my vehicle went on vacation, which I was cool with, I didn't want another mechanic working on it that's never done it, and with ordering parts it was back and forth, all in all they were great they also fixed a couple things that were not covered under my warranty for free.
I can email you what they had to order if you would like, also check to see if it's on the recall list...

Cab

That would be really great! You can send me a PM if you want. I found out yesterday that the rear vents blow out warm air as well. So it just seems that that the front passenger is the only part of the cabin affected by this, which mean that it could very well be a door blend problem. Ughhh...this car has already exceeded more problems than I've had with any newer car. Still can't figure out why the PO didn't address these things when he/she had it!

[Supermilhorn]

I've been dealing with the exact same problem all winter. Had a shop back flush the heater core with no luck. Since I don't have an Infiniti dealer here I took it to the Nissan dealership where they back flushed the heater core again with some "special chemical". It did improve the overall temp a little, but the passenger side was still about 30-40 cooler when heat is set to 90. They said everything else is working fine and I need a new heater core. Wanting a second opinion before I spend $1400 (out of warranty) I took it to a radiator shop where all they do is work on heaters. The heater core is fine so they recalibrated the doors and motors inside the heater which seemed to fix it, in fact when I picked it up today it was working so well I actually had to turn the heat down for the first time. Unfortunately, I just got home from an errand and it is doing it again I will take it back to the radiator shop and have them dig into it a little further.

@ Cab - Could I get that parts list too?

Thanks

[SwissCheeseHead]

Thanks for the input. Cab hasn't responded to me yet so I don't know if he/she is checking back in. I'm having the dealership look at it and I can report what happens. Won't be until next Monday.

[Supermilhorn]

Thanks for the reply, I think I will wait for your feedback before I take mine back to the shop. Oddly enough it work fine this morning, but it's 30 degrees out instead of -20 like it has been.

[SwissCheeseHead]

Update: The dealership wants to install a new heater core. I asked them if they could do a back flush instead but my SA said that it wouldn't work. He didn't go into specifics, so I have a feeling that they are just stabbing in the dark. I said as long as insurance covers it (rear ended someone a couple weeks ago), then they could do it. My only concern is with this replace-to-see-if-it-works method, that insurance will not approve any additional repairs and I would be left without a proper working heater.

With that said, I hope it works, but have a feeling that it won't.

[SmoovC]

I have never approved of the "throw parts at it on your dime" method of troubleshooting automotive issues. I always ask "if this is their professional diagnosis that this WILL fix the issue", and if so then this is all I will be paying for to fix it. Further, ask for the diagnosis, assurance of correct diagnosis and stated repair in writing. If they backpedal, then I would question as to whether or not they are absolutely confident about their ability to repair the issue.

[Supermilhorn]

I was told by the Nissan dealership that they have a database for techs to post write ups about issues they have dealt with. He said there were 2 other cases like ours and both of them were resolved by replacing the heater core. Mine blew cold air one time since it was recalibrated and that was the first night I had it back from the shop. It has worked perfectly since then, but it hasn't been very cold out. I'm not 100% convinced that mine is fixed since I haven't been able to test it in extreme cold yet. If your insurance will pay for it, I would have the heater core replaced. At least you can rule it out if it does not fix the problem.

[SwissCheeseHead]

I just got a call from the dealership and insurance will not pay for the heater core. So it looks like I will have to do some more research here and troubleshoot it myself...damn. It might have to wait when I have more money and time. Which most likely will translate to, "until I can't stand it anymore."

Milhourn - what was the cost of having the rad shop re-calibrate the doors?

EDIT: EFFFFFFFF....looks like the dash has to be removed in order to get the heater core out. There are about a bagillion pieces that have to come out. Between all of the pieces and hardware used to connect it all, then having to reinstall everything and getting it to fit properly, I might have the shop take care of it. It's not by any means difficult; it's just too much work.

EDIT 2: Just talked to my SA and he said that they're diagnosing it based on a few that they've done in the last few months. Not the answer I wanted to hear as it goes to the "throw parts at it til it gets fixed" method, which I certainly cannot afford. It's going to run about $1600 for parts and labor. Not something I can easily say yes to.

GET THIS CHECKED OUT BEFORE YOUR WARRANTY EXPIRES!!!!!

[SwissCheeseHead]

I was told by the Nissan dealership that they have a database for techs to post write ups about issues they have dealt with. He said there were 2 other cases like ours and both of them were resolved by replacing the heater core. Mine blew cold air one time since it was recalibrated and that was the first night I had it back from the shop. It has worked perfectly since then, but it hasn't been very cold out. I'm not 100% convinced that mine is fixed since I haven't been able to test it in extreme cold yet. If your insurance will pay for it, I would have the heater core replaced. At least you can rule it out if it does not fix the problem.

Would you mind reporting back once temps drop a bit more and it gets pretty cold to see if it worked or not?

[Supermilhorn]

It was only $35 to have the radiator shop re-calibrate the doors. I don't know which diagnostic they ran or what mode they had their computer in, but it moved each door 3 times before it was done. They did not manually move any of the doors, the computer did all of the work. This is where I took my car if you or your shop wants to contact them: http://www.ricksradiator.com/

Tomorrow is the coldest day in the forecast for the week, I'll let you know how mine does. Did this just start since your accident?

[SwissCheeseHead]

It started before the accident. I was hoping I could roll it into my insurance coverage. I can spend $35 to have them calibrate the doors. I will try that first and call my local shop to see if they have any software that can do that. Thanks for the info and for the follow up.

[509CAB]

hey guys sorry I've been out its been a bad few weeks, I had to let some employees go, so I've been training new drivers, Swiss this may sound bad but I don't know how to PM you, I looked around just to send you an email but I couldn't do that either, if somebody can help me with this that would be cool, also it's not everything with your heater core it deals with a lot of the relay switches inside your dash that separates the heat from one side to the other, the dealer I went through also had to do another one.
Thanks
Cab

Swiss, let me know if anything I'll just give you my number,

[SwissCheeseHead]

Hey Cab. Thanks for getting back to me. You probably can't PM yet because your post count is low. You can email me [email protected]

I definitely appreciate it.

I'm probably going to try to DIY it this spring when it gets warmer out and I can occupy the garage for a few days. After looking at the FSM, it's not rocket science removing the dash, there are just so many pieces. I just have to be very organized. The heater core runs just south of $300 or so online.

[Supermilhorn]

Hey Swiss, my heater has acted up twice since last week. If I shut the engine off and restart it, I can hear the mix doors move as if they are resetting(which it did not do before it was recalibrated) and it works fine again. I will try to get it back in to the shop and see if they can further diagnose it and narrow it down to a specific part.