Hi, I am having some heating/ac problems with my car. It started about a
week ago and when the car started the heat did not come through the vents,
well no air at all, the next day it worked, and then it went out again. So
now it is 7 degrees outside and I have no heat. The inside of my windows
are frosted from the cold and it is making it impossible to drive with not
being able to see through the frost. The top of my dash by the windshield
is warm which causes some of the frost in the front middle of the
windshield to defrost, which someone told me is a sign that it is not the
heater core that is the problem, So any ideas on what might be the
problem? Anything would help I also a couple weeks ago hit a severe
pothole which busted my tire and rim in the front passenger side, could
this have caused something to come loose in the electronic parts or maybe
a fuse short or something? I believe that this is near the passenger side
seat by the door or where your feet would rest. Sorry I am not very car
literate, but I need help I am freezing out here. And if so, is this
something expensive or maybe I could do myself? Thanks Much for Any Help
or Ideas Given....Melissa H.

When you say the air doesn't come on, do you mean that nothing comes out of the vents or absolutely nothing comes out and nothing happens when you turn the heater/ac to the on position? It could possibly be your heater core or a stuck thermostat, those are the most common things that cause the heater not to work. But if you turn either the a/c or the heat to the run position and nothing happens that definitely signals an electrical failure somewhere.

The electronic part on the dash will say the heat or air is on but no air flows through the vents at all. The dash is warm near the windshield so some of the ice will defrost but only in that little spot. If it is an electrical short somewhere, do you know where that would be or how I could tell? Is it something expensive? Thank You, Melissa H.

could it be the blower motor? Also do you know if it is true that if I am experiencing warmth on the dash that the heater core should NOT be the reason for the problem? If so are those expensive it is cold and I have already done christmas shopping so I'm in alittle bit of a rut...huh?

If there is heat coming out at the dash or on your feet, that probably means there is a vacuum leak somewhere causing the back vents not to open and the heat to disperse on the ground or at the defrost vents. But since there is heat, that is a good sign. That means that your thermostat and heater core box should be ok.... correct me if I'm wrong about the heat coming out at your feet and the end of the dash, that is what I got out of your last post. Also, one more question: even when there is nothing coming out of the vents at all, can you still hear the heater being turned on?

No, there is no heat coming out through any vents, Defrost or near my feet. I was just saying that the dash itself is warm and that is what causes some of the ice to defrost in that spot by the windshield.. I do not think you can hear it when it is turned on. there is no difference when you push the button for it to be on or when you turn it off, the car is somewhat loud usually. Thanks Melissa H.

Ahhh ok. Well then it might be one of the problems listed above. Are you able to take it to a mechanic or shop nearby to have it checked out?

Yeah I just want to have an idea because I am a young female I can't afford to be overcharged right now...so I figure if I have an idea of what the problem was and price wise I could see what kind of a deal I can get. Do places look at your car for free or do they charge mostly to check and see what the problem is? Thank you very much for your help, Melissa H.

It just depends on the shop, most places will look at the problem first (might charge you a little bit) and then let you know what's wrong and give you an estimate for the rest of the work. It just depends on the shop, but most places won't touch anything until you give them the OK.

Let us know how it turns out :)

I will let you know I am going to bring it tomorrow to get it checked out. Thanks! Melissa