Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Is there an easier way to change the heater core than pulling the dash off?

i pulled the whole dash panel out but i can't see how to disconnect all the wires and connections
Is there an easier way to change the heater core than pulling the dash off?
it is usually behind the glove compartment
Is there an easier way to change the heater core than pulling the dash off?
nope thats about the only way bub.
First off what is the year make and model of the vehicle?



Second, sadly the answer is no on most newer cars and trucks the heater core is located inside a unit inside the dash area that controls the air flow inside the vehicle, its not impossible to do this job but its often easier and quicker to have a professional mechanic do it as there will be less chance of damage to other components.
Since this is in the Dodge section assume you are talking about a Dodge. You didn't say what kind, but doesn't matter, I have said for years %26quot;half%26quot; jokingly that the first thing down the assembly line is the heater core and the rest of the car is built around it. Of course that is not %26quot;totally true%26quot; but on some cars you would sure think so. This depends solely on how old of a Dodge you have. The newer the worse off you are. Some of the real old ones like Dodge Charger in the 60's and early 70's had the entire under dash unit with heater and ac condenser that would come out with just a few bolts from under the hood. Other than that most any modern one is a real bear. These so-called engineers have to know that this stands a good change of having to be done at one point or other. Change one in a Dodge pickup or certain years and once the Dashboard is out in the yard and everything underneath it you will %26quot;swear%26quot; that the truck was built around that part first. :-) Good news though is that you can do this yourself if you simply set aside a day to do it without interruptions. One of them took us 9 hours of solid work but most can be done in much less time on most vehicles. Good Luck!