I have a 93 Ranger XLT 2.3L. My heat is not working. I backflushed the radiator, replaced the thermostat and replaced the heater core. My temp gauge is in the normal range and does not flucuate after it has warmed up so I don't believe the water pump is a problem. There isn't any water flowing through the heater core. There doesn't seem to be a control valve on this model vehicle, if there is it's hidden very well and my book says absolutely nothing about it. I've tried "burping" the air out of the system but that doesn't seem to be helping either. I'm stumped. If anybody has a clue it would be very much appreciated.

 

Any help with this one? I'm in the same boat/truck.

 

Nothing yet, my next option is to replace the water pump. Can't think of anything else it could be.

 

You have no water flowing through the heater core?????

I would make sure the intake hose to the core is hot. If it is not I would verify that the hose is not blocked. If you unhook the hose from the water pump, water should be shooting out of it (try that one with the engine stone cold).

Looking at the Ranger Forum it appears that this is a common problem. It usually ends up being the heater core. You have replaced yours so I would make sure you are getting heat to it.

 

I've tried that already. That's how I determinied there is no water flowing thru the heater core. I'ts been suggested that I take out the T-stat temporarily and see if I start getting some water flow. It's possible I got a bad replacement. I think that's unlikely, my engine temp is in the normal range.

 

Your heater hose connects to your water pump and not the T-stat, correct? Have you determined the condition of the vanes on the water pump?

 

One hose does lead to the T-Stat Housing. The way understand it is that water is drawn thru the lower radiator hose by the water pump and when the T-Stat is opened it returns thru the upper Radiator hose. The inlet hose for the heater core connects after the T-Stat and is drawn back thru the water pump. As far as the water pump vanes, my understanding is that if my engine is running at normal temp and not overheating the vanes "should" be Ok. I think I'm going to replace it anyway. I don't know if it's ever been replaced, if not, it's 10 years old and probably should be.

 

The pipe coming off the thermostat housing may be plugged up. Heaters work on a bypass system so it isnt dependent on the thermostat to open to get flow. Otherwise I would say you still have air trapped in the system if the pump is pumping with good flow.

If you are one of those guys who likes to use a pile of silicone instead of a gasget you may have put enough on the thermostat housing to plug the opening of the bypass tube preventing flow. :O

 

I used a gasket with very little sealer so I don't think I plugged anything up. Besides I was able to force water thru when I backflushed. I thought I would get the air out doing that. Then I tried opening the T-connector after the T-Stat opened hoping that would bleed some air too. That didn't work so I tried running the motor with the radiator cap off and filling it when the level got low. Still no joy.

 

look under the dash and make sure the controlls work whe they are moved , could be something as simple as a controll rod not hooked up or a vacum hose not attached or leaking