I have a 97 SE 3.8 NA with the ECC. Replaced the LIM gasket about 18k miles ago.

I have noticed now that winter (OK it is only 40F at night) has arrived in Texas that I have less heat than I would expect. Had the battery replaced last week and I am getting the blinking that I have seen mentioned in several of the threads. Had the problem before I replaced the battery.
I have checked the air mix actuator and it is moving from the 6 oclock position to the 9 oclock position when the ECC is cycled from full hot to full cold. Did notice that I doesn't seem to stop anywhere in between based on temperature setting. Is that normal?

Air direction cylces from floor (90F setting) to dash (60F setting) vents so seems like vacuum is OK. Fan cycles from high to low to high as temperature setting goes from hot to cold and vice versa. Heater hoses are hot.

What am I missing?

Thanks in advance for the help,

John

Check fluid level, you may have had air in the heater core. Do you feel the air blowing hard? What does the temp gauge say? Generally when there'* not much heat the thermostat is stuck open and needs to be replaced.

When you say blinking, what are you refering to?

Radiator is full. Fan blows hard on high speed. Temp gauge is showing 195-200. Replaced t-stat when I made the LIM change. Blinking is referring to the flashing temp setting that happens after the battery is disconnected.

Do you have it on auto temp? If so there is a temp sensor in the dash just to the right of the steering wheel. Some times that gets dirty.

Have had it on auto. Any easy way to clean it?

Ya, it'* inside that little vent right of steering wheel and near the top of the dask. You can remove the cover and clean it, or used compressed air. Just be careful you don't dammage it. There is a write up in tech info about it, general maintainance I believe.

Found the writeup. I'll give it a try.

Thanks,

John

You said the air direction cycles from floor to dash ! This means the blend door is actually working,


if both hoses are hot I would think either the heater core has a air bubble or is clogged. Possable hose restruction but unlikely.

This isnt a good time to be without heat.

My 2 cents
Denny

What is the easiest way to get rid of a bubble in the heater core?

When the engine is up to heat, check both hoses, are they both hot? If not then there is likely little flow. I would suspect a plugged core in that case. A air bubble should work threw.