my car's heater does not work and was bothering me on the drive home b/c it was raning and the winshield was fogged. Is there a way to check what is wrong with it?? the ac works and blows air and so does the vent but never any warm air. It only blows warm air if it is warm outside(the vent not ac).

 

The temperature control actuator/motor might be shot. That is what was wrong with mine. It would only blow cool or cold air (if A/C was on). For a short term fix we rigged it up so that you could pull on looped piece of wire to open the heater core valve. That would allow warm air to passed into the cabin.

 

there may be a super slim chance that theheater core might be clogged from deposits in the coolant of the years. hows ur coolant look? -alex

 

Turn your car to accessory and move the switch towards warm and see if you hear the motor changing it.

 

Same problem here. Did the grab wire trick and resoldered the logicon. Got some heat but no control of the vents. Anybody know how to free up the vent motors? And, do I have to pull the dash to work on 'em? (Yes I checked the fuses)

 

there is not motor running while doing that. Where and how do i put in a wire to manually open the valve?

 

I mean the little electric motor that opens the paths, you should be able to hear it with the engine off.

 

(Newbie/exhaust leak advice)
Looking up into the dash from the drivers side floor you will see the lever that controls the vent. It is held in place with a plastic clip that attaches the vent motor to the vent door lever. Carefully remove the vent lever from the plastic clip and the vent door will swing freely, leaving the lever hanging loose. After its free you can reach it while in the drivers seat and manually open or close the vent door but it takes a little fumbling around. If you attach a wire or string to the lever you won't have to fumble around so much. My next step is to check the vent motors per the FSM. Somebody tell me if I have to remove the dash to get to/replace the motors.
PLEASE!!!

 

a noob with an FSM??? good deal :thumbsup:

 

I don't think there is an on-line FSM heat & AC section for the 86-88's, but you will find what you need in the 89-91 section.
I have a mirror site at the link in my sig below.

 

I use the '88 FSM for my '86. Nothing different I've found so far. See section 15, Body Electrical, page 15.93 is the start of the stuff on the heater. Have fun!

 

You do not have to remove the dash to get to the mode motor or air mix motor, although it does make it 1000 times easier.

I have also posted quite a few time here on how to test both if anyone want to search.

 

Thanks for the answer Ice! I don't wanna pull the dash unless I absolutely have to. And yes, I actually bought a FSM back in the day when the FC was new. One of the reasons that I bought a rotary was so I wouldn't get under the hood temptations. I thought my wrenching days were over. Now I'm haunted by street ports, turbos, etc. At least I don't have to worry about lifters, timing belts, cams kits and valve stuff.