Early Caravan no heat at idle

Hi. Have an older Caravan. Has no heat at idle. A Dealer Service
Bulletin # 24-05-94 was released on this. Neither Chrysler or the
local dealer will tell me what the problem is. You'd think it was top
secret or something. Protecting their butts I guess. If anyone would
know about this particular Buletin I would appreciare a reply to this
post
Errol

 

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Erm...how, exactly, do you imagine that a Ford Probe enthusiast site,
which contains Ford TSBs, is going to help this guy with his Chrysler
minivan?

 

It is no secret. Number one they cant tell you what the problem is because
it is just information on how to test the system with a diagnostic test
scanner NEW VEHICLE. It is a TSB that was written back in 1994 to explain to
the technicians how to test out the components.
Since you only have a problem of lack of heat at idle this TSB would not
pertain to your vehicle anyhow.
Go back to basics. lack of heat at idle, heater core possibly stopped up???
Or a fault code 17 Thermostat stuck open? If you have hot coolant going into
the firewall (heater core) and cool/cold coming out your heater core is
stopped up!!!
If you have no hot coolant going into heater core find out why!!!
thermostat? Low on coolant??? Forget the TSB it doesn't pertain to your
vehicle. Maybe that's why they would help you out?

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Thanks for the reply Glenn. Beg to differ. I saw the monitor at the
dealer. Top line DSB 24-05-94. No heat at idle. Gave a part number that
may cause the problem. Unfortunately service rep wouldn't even give me
that number. As far as the dealer scan, I had one done once, didn't
find a thing. The heater core was flushed out. New thermostat
installed. Started it and as it warmed up, it does open. New rad
installed. New water pump. New bypass hose. The part next to the in
hose to the heater core, called I think an accuator ( probably
mispelled) opens and closes when I move the heater controls on the
dash. Not much else left to check or replace. Also lots of coolant. Has
me scratching my head. Not much else to check or replace. IMHO I think
the dam thing just cools to well. Even in the summer, the electric fan
for the rad hardly ever operates. As far as the dealer not wanting to
give me a copy of the DSB. Told me it was a derective from their head
office at Chrysler. Not very goog customer PR as far as I'm concerned.
Even if the DSB didn't pertain to my vehicle it could have been at
least a little useful to me at some level.

 

www.alldatadiy.com , $25 gets you full factory service info for your
vehicle, including full text and all diagrams of all TSBs.

DS

 

I had a similar problem with my 82-3-4??? Voyager. The year does not really
matter. It was one of the first ones built. The FSM wiring diagram is not
exactly the same as the wiring in this van - and this van has original wiring. I
suppose they did a "few" things in the actual first production....... (I found
the original manifest stating what was put into the van at the factory--
interesting but I digress)..

With the "original" heater core, the heat was minuscule. I replaced the
"original" heater core with an after market one. Vive la difference. Lots of
HOT air now. I actually have to turn the heat down... (and I just run the engine
in the drive way as I have not put plates on it in the least few months...)

The original heater core was like an old-time "classic design" rad core: top
and bottom tanks with "tubes" between. The heater core tubes in my Voyager were
few and "tiny" Not much flow through the core I suppose (!) The after market
core is of "honeycomb design". While it has only been -12C at the coldest here
in Winnipeg, this new unit is throwing out a LOT more heat than the older
design....

Just my experience. YMMV.

Ken

 

I wondered about this. I have a 94 GC, and there is precious little
heat coming out the vent. Supposedly everything is "fine".

Fortunately, being on the West Coast, it never really gets that cold
here - not like when I lived in Saskatchewan!

I do have an ongoing maintenance program for the van, so perhaps I
will have the heater core replaced.

Just put of curiousity, how huch was the part, and what was the labour
cost to do this job???

Thanks

 

Thanks Ken. Great help. Yes, I would like to know where you purchased
the replacement heater core as well. I know when I replaced the
original rad the aftermarket one was much better quality. Sounds like
the heater core is the same deal. The DSB said low or no heat at idle
is normal. Yeah right, normal for a poorly designed heater system,
maybe. thanks for the reply and info. Errol

 

Thanks Ken. Great help. Yes, I would like to know where you purchased
the replacement heater core as well. I know when I replaced the
original rad the aftermarket one was much better quality. Sounds like
the heater core is the same deal. The DSB said low or no heat at idle
is normal. Yeah right, normal for a poorly designed heater system,
maybe. thanks for the reply and info. Errol

 

There is no such a thing as a "DSB". The term is "TSB", Technical Service
Bulletin.

 

Pardon my rusty mechanical knowledge, but aren't there doors in the
ventilation system that redirect airflow through the heater core or away
from it? Perhaps they're not moving properly?

 

I cannot remember what I paid on e-bay. To make sure I had the unit checked out (for
leaks and flow) before I installed it. It cost me my time..... I did the work myself.