No heat when idling

[jonand15]

Now that it's getting cooler, we're finally starting to use the heat again in our 2002 LC. I noticed that if I start the car and let the engine heat up, the vents will not blow hot if the Cruiser is idling. As soon as I put the car in gear (or rev the engine in neutral), the warm air starts to blow.

I'm thinking I'll check the thermostat, but wanted to see if anyone else has run across this problem. Thanks!

 

[uHu]

Coolant level too low.
Alternatively pump bad.

 

[1loudLX]

the coolant has to warm up. How are you going to warm it up if you dont work the engine and just idle? Oh right you can....just takes forever. Get in, drive and <5m it will be going strong.

 

[jonand15]

The coolant level is where it should be. It definitely warms up after driving, but it's unusual because the moment I start backing out of the driveway after idling for 10 minutes the air starts to blow warm. I'm fine with roughing it, but my wife drives it and if we have another winter in Chicago like last year (got down to -32F one morning) it's nice to have a warm vehicle to get into.

 

[TMILL]

had a ford once where I would only get heat if I reved it up... ended up the fins on the water pump were shot....

 

[NMuzj100]

A block heater on a timer is a good solution. The Scandanavians put electric pre-heaters on timers in the car for mornings. They are plugged into the same cord as the block heaters.

Or go all out and get a fuel burning Webasto Blue Heat car/engine heater.

Make sure your thermostat isn't stuck open before dropping $1800 on the Webasto!

 

[1loudLX]

a very very high percentage of vehicles I saw in Scandinavia had the little electrical plug in the grille/bumper for the heaters. Pretty much EVERY vehicle had them by the time I got up into the arctic. I never was able to find time to get to a Toyota dealership to pickup one, but I'd love one (and to think my truck's garage-kept).

 

[mtnracer]

It was 29 degrees this morning and I started the truck to heat it up same as you. My vents blew warm air after about 5 minutes at idle and with the heated seats everything was nice and toasty - all at idle speed.

Could it be a vacuum issue (not enough vacuum pressure at idle to open the vents / ducts)?

 

[2000UZJ]

30 degrees this morning and was warm coming out of the vents. after 30 minutes of idling and listening to the radio freezing. I thought of this thread and started driving. sure enough hot air filled the cabin and damn did it feel it.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Block heaters are most typically used for diesel vehicles since the fuel is already honey consistency. If the air is blowing warm at idle, I wouldn't worry. It's likely just the coolant flow. But if it's actually cold after the truck has warmed up, then I'd start poking around.

 

[trackmur]

LCs/LXs have great heaters and will warm up quickly at idle in extreme cold. There is something wrong. Sadly, such an issue can be so absurd that it takes forever to find.

 

[NMuzj100]

I never was able to find time to get to a Toyota dealership to pickup one, but I'd love one (and to think my truck's garage-kept).

I got one at my local NAPA but haven't installed it yet. Fits in freeze plug in the block.

 

[100 TD]

Alternatively pump bad

..........X2!

 

[Michael Hanson]

Check coolant level,fresh air vent staying open or part. blocked,thermostat sticking,flush and fill rad. and cooling system. Mike

 

[jonand15]

Well, I had a mechanic look at the truck today and he said that there was too much air in the cooling system. The drive back was fine but he said he's not quite sure how it got in there. I'll drive it around for the next few days and hopefully won't have any more temperature problems. Best part - no charge to bleed the lines and add some new coolant!

 

[NMuzj100]

Check your radiator cap. Mine was losing a bit of coolant every month and I eventually noticed a little red residue at the radiator cap. The cap looked good but I replaced it and haven't lost a drop since.