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Sedans Chevrolet Impala 06 Chevy Impala/ Heat goes out when I stop
9 messages, Last post on Dec 28, 2008 at 9:38 AM
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I purchased the 2006 Impala new in Nov 2005. I've had this problem the past few winters, but just now thinking about it since it was chilly this morning. The heat works great until I stop, then it just goes out. Air is still blowing, but no heat. Soon as I go, the heat starts working again. If I stop at a redlight I freeze until the light turns green. I think the warranty has expired since I'm over 36k miles. Any advice I can do myself will be much appreciated. |
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Replying to: brad38 (Oct 28, 2008 8:56 pm) Low coolant can cause car heaters to be inefficient. I know the coolant level in my '06 tends to drop over time. I have had to bring the level back up several times in the past 2 years...I always keep a bottle of the pre-mixed Prestone Dex-cool handy 
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Replying to: brad38 (Oct 28, 2008 8:56 pm) |
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Replying to: brad38 (Oct 28, 2008 8:56 pm) I've also noticed an excessive gurgling sound in the engine compartment, but it seems close to the firewall. It seems to happen more within the first 5 minutes of running, but I've heard it even after it's been running for an hour. I also notice the tell-tell odor of coolant when I'm standing next to the passenger door retrieving my briefcase after I've parked in the morning at work. I've never noticed (although that doesn't mean it's not there) any coolant leaks/puddles on the ground. I've seen others mention the temp gauge. Mine usually hovers about halfway between cold (140 degrees?) and straight up (170 degrees?). When I have the lack of heat problem, the gauge is usually much closer to straight up and fluctuates a great deal. Anyone have any ideas? I've had a friend tell me that it sounded like a heater core about to need replacing. Yikes!! Thanks! Julie
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Replying to: spyderchick (Dec 21, 2008 11:11 am) If you are still under warranty, or have a trusted mechanic, they should easily be able to pressure test the coolant system for leaks. After the pressure test on my car, the dealer said my water pump was "really gushing". They replaced it and all is well again. |
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Have a 2006 Impala 59800 on it and last winter lost my heat at idle. Took it to dealer and had the system bled and all was well. Here i am again this winter and have the same symtems. Back to the dealer again ,they do a pressure test and say i need new head gaskets as they are the cause of the problem. Gaskets are replaced under extended warranty and all is well until i get home and let it idle, and you guessed it no heat at idle. Back to dealer again this time they tell me it needs to be BURPED. Once again this is done and all is well until now 2 1/2 weeks later no heat at idle. Any ideas anyone as the 60 k warranty is over. 
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Replying to: bustedknuckl1 (Dec 27, 2008 11:14 am) Button everything back up and let the car idle. Turn the heat temp. all the way up and let the car run for several minutes. Gently rev the car in park (make sure the brake is set!) a couple of times as well. With the coolant topped off, the heat should blow hot even at idle. If this doesn't work, shut the car off and let it cool down for a couple of hours. After it has cooled down, pop the hood and check the coolant levels again. The coolant level in the reservoir should be OK, but if there was air in the system you may need to add coolant again after checking under the radiator cap. Bring the coolant level back up, and button everything up again. Start the car, set the heat temp. on high, and let the car idle/warm up one more time. The whole goal with this process is to try to get as much air as possible out of the system and get the coolant flowing through again. You do not indicate which engine you have. If it is a V6, also make sure the radiator cap is an 18psi cap like what is installed at the factory. I briefly installed an aftermarket 15psi cap on my 3.5L V6 and had the no heat at idle problem. I put a factory 18psi cap back on and had no further issues. If the radiator cap is 18psi, and the coolant system seems "full" after a couple of the aforementioned cycles, it may be something other than air in the lines. But the coolant check thing is something that can be done at home before paying a dealer/mechanic to check it out again. Best of luck to you!
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Replying to: ryster (Dec 27, 2008 12:19 pm)
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Replying to: bustedknuckl1 (Dec 27, 2008 1:12 pm) My parents had a '03 Impala with the 3.8L V6. The Dex-cool in their car also just disappeared. They also had to check it regularly and kept the Prestone pre-diluted Dex-cool handy as well. From what I have read, mysterious coolant loss is not uncommon on Dex-cool vehicles. |
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