Q: Heater stopped working while weather is very cold

asked by on November 04, 2015

I think my 2012 Chrysler 200 waited until winter to start acting up with the heater! It is very unpleasant when the only heat going to the passengers is coming from the driver’s side of the dash! All the other vents blow cold so I close the ones I can. What an inconvenient problem, in a vehicle with 35,000 miles on the clock! What can I do to fix this without replacing the whole darn heater?

Your vehicle has automatic temperature control between the drivers side and the passenger side through use of an infrared sensor that measures the temperature of drivers and passenger seat area and adjusts the output air temperature to maintain and keep it consistent. This is done by having two separate actuators that control the left or right side cold to heat blend doors. Your system is stuck in the cold mode on the passenger side and not moving to heat as the driver’s side is. The system would have to be scanned for any codes first and then the passenger temperature blend actuator assembly replaced. You could contact YourMechanic to verify the AC assembly and test the system for codes and repair the vehicle for you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Having problems with the power steering.
You may have a bad power steering hose. If you are losing fluid, you will see it leaking somewhere under the car or you may see a wet hose under the hood. Sometimes when the hoses get old they will...
Suburban won't start after sitting
I would start by having the battery charged and tested. More than likely, however, the battery will require replacement since the vehicle has been sitting for years. There is no reason to assume the starter went bad just from sitting....
Car stalling due to security system
Your car is equipped with a security system that turns off the fuel system if it detects that the car is being stolen. This can be caused by a key, the key sensor, or the antitheft module. The most common...
Transmission Issue
Hi there: The symptoms you're describing are similar in many ways to restriction of hydraulic fluid inside the transmission. Sometimes flushing the transmission fluid can help remove those obstructions; but in most cases, it delays the inevitable task of removing...
My car is hesitating / jerking at speed intervals of 20 mph, 30 mph, 35 mph and 40 mph.
This may be a sign of a dirty or failing mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor is a unit in the intake system that monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected...
How much does it cost to reset throtlebody sensor on computer
Hi there. This generally needs to be completed by a professional mechanic that can complete a reset and clear the existing codes with a digital scanner. You can request an estimate to have one of our mechanics come to your...
I have a 2010 chevrolet malibu the service traction light is on and a cruise control code mean
The traction control system maximizes traction while accelerating on loose or slippery road surfaces. The reason you are seeing the warning light continuously is there is a fault somewhere in the complex sensor system that makes the system work by...
Code 337 came up on my 94 ranger 4.0 what can i do
The code 337 is for the egr sensor is reading higher than normal voltage and the sensor is mounted on side of intake and has two hoses and one electrical connection on it that you will need to check both...
Yesterday the radio or display in my 2015 Chevy Cruze wouldn't come on, today both worked but car wouldn't start
The most common possibility is the battery is faulty. As the voltage decays, due to the battery being faulty, the vehicle enters the "saver" mode that you are seeing. The first thing to do is load test the battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-is-dead-inspection)....

Related articles

How to Quickly Cool Down a Hot Car
Knowing Knowing how to cool off a hot car that has been sitting in the heat and sun can save you the discomfort of having to sit in your vehicle's hot interior while driving to your destination. By taking a...
How to Replace an AC Condenser Fan
AC condenser fans need to be replaced when the air conditioning stops running. If the AC fans don't work when the car is on, the fan relay may be bad.
How to Replace an Air Conditioning Belt
Replacing an AC belt can be challenging, as you have to locate specific parts in the car in order to do so, and use proper tools to complete the task.