Heater FAIL.

[Rokit5]

Okay so i need some diagnosis from the experts since it was like the coldest day for awhile here in VA and my heater decided to fail on me.
What I know:

• Temp guage only reaches the line to the left of the middle one.
• Heater blows cool to cold air while i have it on hi
• there are no liquids on the floor or weird smells of maple syrup coming from the vents
• When its not 20 degrees out it tends to work somewhat

My main two questions are why is the car not getting to the correct temperature and how do i fix the heater core or clean it out.

[Spykce]

Sounds like the thermostat could be stuck open, at least that's my first assumption.

[Rokit5]

what exactly does that mean?

[quattro16]

Your thermostat is not staying shut which means coolant is flowing through the radiator and engine all the time and not letting the engine warm up. If you don;t know what this means you should just bring it to a shop and tell them to put a thermostat in. Takes about and hour on a lift.

[Rokit5]

okay thanks.

I checked those two hoses that go to and from the heater core and the right one was warm/hot but the other one seemed cold. i guess this means that i have a clog?

[Rokit5]

also when i try to press the recirculate air button on my climatronic it wont go. it just lights up when i press on it and goes off when i let go. does this mean that somthings stuck?

[Rokit5]

anyone?

[njm23]

well, the re-circ button won't stay on if your running a defroster. But the fact that your car is not reaching proper operating temp would point to your thermostat, which could also be why you have no heat. When was the last time your thermostat/water pump/t-belt were done?

[danphines]

i dont think you can use recirculate when it is on hi heat.....

[somebody5788]

Sounds to me like your heater core has an air pocket. I fixed this on a 2.7t yesterday. Could also be a thermostat however since its not getting to half. It should blow warm air anything over cold though.

[Rokit5]

well, the re-circ button won't stay on if your running a defroster. But the fact that your car is not reaching proper operating temp would point to your thermostat, which could also be why you have no heat. When was the last time your thermostat/water pump/t-belt were done?

Im not sure since i just bought the car 2 months ago from a guy that was moving back to bulgaria haha

[Rokit5]

Sounds to me like your heater core has an air pocket. I fixed this on a 2.7t yesterday. Could also be a thermostat however since its not getting to half. It should blow warm air anything over cold though.

how do u bleed out the air?

[Dallas09]

While the thermostat might be partially stuck, you should be getting hot air at the mark left of center, i get heat at the C. Theres other possibilities other than a heater core issue too, like temp sensors for the HVAC and messed up blend doors.

[Gotbail]

Where in VA are you? I may have someone who can help you out.

[Rokit5]

Where in VA are you? I may have someone who can help you out.

virginia beach

[Rokit5]

While the thermostat might be partially stuck, you should be getting hot air at the mark left of center, i get heat at the C. Theres other possibilities other than a heater core issue too, like temp sensors for the HVAC and messed up blend doors.

so i should prolly take it to someone who knows more to check it out then?

[safab]

Does your A/C work...can you turn the A/C on?

[Spykce]

i dont think you can use recirculate when it is on hi heat.....

The recirculate feature isn't designed to work below 45, as it fogs up windows otherwise. So below 45, it should shut off.

Says right in the owners manual. I get bored sometimes...

[Dallas09]

so i should prolly take it to someone who knows more to check it out then?

No, you cant try and do it yourself. Have a look at this: http://www.audiworld.com/tech/int.html and click on the link that says Unlock the Secrets of your Climate Control (theres one for up to 99.5 or so and then 99.5 up), theres some diagnostics in there, a VAG COM might do some good too.