It’s winter again in Grand Junction, and it’s right about now that we’re lucky to have vehicles outfitted with heating technology inside – having a functional heater can make a world of difference during frigid mornings when you need a comfortable ride to work. Still, like any other mechanical component, your model’s heating system can start to wear out and lose effectiveness over time. Especially in the winter months, this can spell trouble, so today we’ll show you the most common signs that your thermostat is failing. With this information handy, it’ll be easier to know when you should get it repaired!
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Vehicle Cabin Is Not Heating Up
The most common symptom of a faulty thermostat is that it simply doesn’t work when you try and get some warm (or cool) airflow inside your cabin. If you’ve selected a high heat setting from your vehicle’s temperature control system, but your vents are blowing at room temperature or colder, this is a tell-tale sign that something is wrong. It also means that there is a much more serious issue going on inside your engine.
Check Engine Light Is On
The thermostat, heater and cooler of your vehicle is part of a bigger mechanical component that includes your engine. When it detects too much air under the hood, your vehicle’s sensors will alert you to diagnose and remedy the situation – it does so by illuminating the“Check Engine” light on your gauge cluster. If you see this come on for any reason, it’s best to take your car to a certified service professional immediately.
Engine Is Running Hotter Than Usual
You might not know that your thermostat serves a much bigger purpose than simply keeping your cabin warm and comfortable; it also helps to direct hot airflow away from your engine. When it begins to diminish in performance, too much warm air will be in your engine compartment, which can cause it to run hotter than usual. This could also lead to overheating, which is why it’s essential to get this system checked as soon as you can.
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