Casters450

I have a 2003 WRX - when i start the car from cold, with the heater temp dial set to a lowish temp, the heater blows out excessively hot air for about 20-30 mins (once the engine temp has warmed up), and then settles down to what i would expect for the temp selected on the dial after this period. If during this 20-30 mins i select full cold the temp will go cold, but if i put it back to a mid range temp it blows very hot again. (i am not using 'auto')

I have replaced the heater controls with a used one from ebay and it still has the same symptons.

Any thoughts or ides???

mannyo

I guess since you have an auto button the car has climate control, in this case the temperature dial does not work like that used in a conventional heater. The car is trying to get the interior up to a temperature set by this dial, so it will blow very hot to start with and then settle down once the interior temperature reaches that point.

Casters450

Mannyo - crossed wires i think. You are correct in assuming that i have climate but i am not using this function, i am selection a fan speed on the rotary dial and not 'auto'. (also on the same rotary dial)

Casters450

Anyone got any ideas?????

Casters450

Scotsman - yea same as mine - all other indications are normal as is coolant and oil levels etc.

Adam Davies

is it only on first start up or every time you start up, might want to take the thermostat out stick it in a jug of hot water an see how long it takes to open i might be wrong but im thinking a sticky thermo mate. i hope this is of some help had a very simular problem in a golf a few yrs ago and it was that so you never know.

Casters450

Mine is on first start up or if it has been left to cool for 2-3 hours or more.

Thermostat got to be worth a look if it is easy to get at, i would guess it would be fairly cheap to fix if that is what it is. And I don't know where it is either!!

Adam Davies

sorry fellers been away the thermostat will be located in the water pump but in these cars i think you need to remove the timing belt first so you need to make sure you mark all the tensioners cogs and dont forget that there is a prceedure for re doing the tensioners so make sure you read up first otherwise it will go bang if you do it wrong, itas also a good time to change the belt while you have it off i hope this helps, theres probably someone on here who can tell you the full process.

Casters450

Isn't the thermostat on the block at the end of the radiator bottom hose???? Maybe lol.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Yeah but the stat is in its own housing, bolted directly to the waterpump by 2 diagonal bolts. The water pump in turn is at the extreme right hand bottom corner of the block (as you look towards the windscreen when stood in front of the car). Th bottom hose leads to an elbow cast into the stat's housing.

Casters450

At last - an update. Had a good chat with Dave at API, resulting in me coming away with a sensor that sits in the middle of, and in front of the radiator on the cross-member.

Have now been running the car for a week since changing it and all seems to be back to normal. This would also seem to be a common problem on newer cars.

sonic93

iTrader: (16)

just wondering does this kinder thing happen with the older 1 s to ? 1993?if i switch to cold it will come out boiling hot all the time . oh and i have just had the dash out 2 lol.any idea s ?

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

YUP Same problem. Change the gizzmo situated on the radiator upright centre support panel. That should fix it.

David APi

sonic93

iTrader: (16)

sorry can i see a pic of this don t see what u mean lol cheers david