It is no fun when you reach for the heater in your 2004 Dodge Caravan in the middle of winter and all you receive is a blast of cold air. Troubleshooting heating problems in your Dodge Caravan are fairly simple to diagnose, whether it is an issue with the blower fan or the heater core. Before taking your vehicle in for what could turn out to be an expensive repair, there are a few basic troubleshooting steps you can run through on your own.
Turn the blower fan and heater up to the highest setting with the engine running to see if air is flowing across the heater core. If the fan does not turn on a fuse may have blown, or the fan itself could be faulty and may need to be replaced.
Feel the carpet on the passenger side for signs of wetness. If it is accompanied with a strong, sweet odor, this may mean that refrigerant is leaking from the heater core. Have a mechanic check to see if the heater core needs replacing.
Check the fuse box (end of the dashboard on the driver's side) for any blown fuses. Read the schematic on the inside of fuse box cover for instructions on how to locate the fuse connected to the heating system. If the metal strip inside the fuse is blown, replace it with another of the exact same rating.
Ensure that there is enough coolant in the radiator and add more, if needed. The heater uses a small amount of coolant to heat the car. When the coolant gets too low, air can become trapped inside the system and restrict the flow of heated air into the passenger compartment. Open the hood with the engine running and feel the two heater hoses coming from the firewall. Both should be hot to the touch. If they are not hot, there may not be sufficient coolant flowing through the system. The heater core may need to be replaced. The firewall is the metal partition between the passenger and engine compartments. It starts just beneath the windshield and extends under the engine.
Inspect the heater hoses for leaks or kinks. If you find any kinks, squeeze the hose between your thumb and forefinger until the kink has diminished. Replace hoses that are leaking or damaged.
Check if the thermostat is stuck open. Start the vehicle when the engine is cold. Open the hood and feel the upper radiator hose. Feel if coolant is flowing through the hose or not. If coolant is flowing, it could mean that the thermostat is stuck in the open position as coolant should only begin to flow once the engine has warmed up. Replace or repair the thermostat.
