Heater problems!

[68lemans350]

OK, I have no idea what do look for here. My heater in my 68 Lemans will work some of the times and not other. When it works it works well. When it doesn't the is nothing at all. I have checked conections and they all seem fine.
My question is what should I look for now?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[69projects]

An intermittent problem is the worst kind! If your fuse and connections are good (double check the fuse) then it is the switch itself that is funky. there is a resistor in the heater box that does go from time to time ($2.00 item at the pontiacshack) that is worth checking as well. :lol:

[Brandon]

When it is not working, what is the problem? That the fan does not turn? If you crack the window, do you feel the warm air? If the fan is not turning, did you try all the speed settings? I haven't checked the wiring diagram, but my guess is that the resistor is only used when the fan is not on the max speed setting.

[HOTROD64-STOCK69]

I wonder if the fan brushes are shot and it only turns sometimes. I have seen that sceniro before
Mike

[68lemans350]

when it is not working I get nothing at all. No fan and the only heat coming out is heat from the engine making its way from the engine compartment. I am noticing that if I let the car warm up to 190 degrees or so the fan turns on more than if it is colder. Problem is I have a 160 degree therm. in it, I have thought of changing the therm. but she seems to run better when I keep the temp. down. I have no idea if it is just a coincidence or not.
On another note, umm, where is the pontiacshack?
Thanks everyone.

[69projects]

Sorry to mislead but the question is who not where! Stefan Fafnis of this board goes by that moniker, he has one of everything and two of most (so it seems to me). I believe the comment with regard to the resistor is correct it is for the high speed. The fan motor is easy to test, start there 'cause I'm sure the switch is a B#@$%^ :?

[Red_Rider]

I think the factory manual calls for cutting a hole in the inner frender to R&R the heater motor on the 68-72. However, somewhere, I saw one removed with really long extension over the top of the inner fender to access the back side screws. May have been in a Legends Forum, I don't remember.

I'm betting on a bad motor, cause it runs warm and not cold. Colod there is too much resistance of some kind, dirt etc. to turn over. Warm, the dirt melts or loosens up, and it runs sometimes.

Do they make a quick release front end for ease in replacing heater motors? Probably make the switch look easy.

[1PROGTO]

No need to cut any holes here........... My '67 required removing the inner fender (partially) to access the top nut that removes the cover of the heater box assembly. This is of course done from the engine side. If your car has had this procedure done before, most people will simply leave that top nut off so this becomes an easier task the next time. If indeed the top nut has been omitted in the past, it's rather simple to loosen and remove the remaining nuts to access inside the cover.



I would start testing blower motor first, then troubleshoot from there.

There was a good article on this a couple years ago in Musclecar Review mag where they showed R & R of a '67 GTO heater core.

Hope this helps.

[68lemans350]

Thanks to everyone that is giving me info on my heater. I will see what I can do this weekend and get back to everyone on the results. I really do appreciate everything because I am learning as I go. We have only had the car 2 years and the first year was just cleaning her up. Then a bad back slowed me down a year. So thanks again everyone.

[67DropTop455]

Mark, where are you located by the way? Maybe some one near by could lend a hand in addition? I'd be willing to help out if you need...

You sound much like another Lemans member... Lemans, back surgery's...
and still working on the cars every chance you get! Brent is the same way... And His Lemonster is just that! A monster! Keep up the good work!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455! (in Federal Way)

[68lemans350]

I am in Yelm! But my family lives in Kent so I get near Fedway a good amount of times. Any help is greatly appreciated! Learning is the fun part but it also can be the toughest part. I would like to get together sometime Brett! You have also been a great help in getting me contacts in Vegas! I really do thank you for that. I just emailed Mike! Have a great day everyone!

[67DropTop455]

No problem... I like to help when I can... Glad to be able to do some foot work for you in getting you set up in Vegas... Hope that all works out well for you!

If there is some point where you know you'll be heading to Kent, and might have a chance to get together, just let me know, and maybe we could work something out? Maybe take an hour and see if we could get to the blower motor and or try to track down the problem a little?

Not that I'm a guru, but I ca hold my own... :wink:

I just love working on the old cars...

So just let me know, and we'll go from there!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!
brettnheather@hotmail.com - hm
(253) 941-1884 - hm

[68lemans350]

Well I think I have found the problem. As the heater turned on today it started making alot of noise. As of this moment it still is working but it is making more noise. So I think I will be looking for a motor soon. Thanks again for all of your input.

[1PROGTO]

I have had a problem similar with the noise. It turned out to be the "cage" that rotates inside for the blower; the nut on the end that holds the cage in place came off and makes quite a knarly racket when the fan is turned on. Looks like the cage was just bouncing around grinding and such.

Just my 2 pennies............. :?

[68lemans350]

Hey! anyone willing to offer suggestions I will take the time to look into. Thanks a bunch!

[67DropTop455]

Mark, I think Brad may be onto something here... maybe the next time you get up a little closer North (like visiting the family in Kent) you could check with us, and I would be willing to meet you and see if we can better diagnose the possible cause?

If the motor is going out (or the bearings) it will usually be more of a metallic squeal, or sound... where as if the fan (cage) is coming loose it can twist or get out of balance so to speak and make a lot of noise like it's vibrating and or rubbing on the housing type of noise...

Maybe listen again and see if you can distinguish the sound better? Then we can go from there?

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

[68lemans350]

I have been trying to listen but the noise stoped again. But I have, by checking many times, found that if the heater doesn't work, all I need to do is heat her up to 190 and it turns right on. Each time it starts at exactly 190 degrees. No less and no more. I person at work to me there might be a valve in the heater core that has rusted. I will get back later with any results.