why does the heater on my 1989 Mercury Tracer only work when I go uphill?

Asked by badjack Mar 02, 2014 at 12:21 AM about the 1989 Mercury Tracer

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

The heater doesn't work when the car is idling or going down hill. It only seems to work properly when the engine really has to work like going uphill. Any idea why?

1 Answer

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A couple of things I would check would include a clogged Heater Core, Restricted Radiator, an Engine cooling fan that runs continually or a stuck/missing thermostat. Drive the car a few miles and see if the radiator hoses are hot to the touch, if they are, check the heated hoses, if nothing is warm, check the thermostat.

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