Saturn Vue Heater Output Temperature

A fellow Saturn Vue owners is complaining about the warmth of the air
coming out of his heater. Mine is very warm, so I assume he must have a
problem. However, the dealer is saying that his heater output
temperature is "normal." I checked both my owners manual and the shop
manual and neither has an indication of what "normal" should be. I was
guessing that once the car is fully warmed up, the heater should be able
to raise the temperature of the outside air by at least 80 degrees F. I
would expect the heater output air temperature to be close to 100
degrees F when the temperature control is set to full hot. Does anyone
have idea what a reasonable air temeprature should be for the output of
the heater?

Regards,

Ed White

 

I put a thermocouple onto my DMM (it has a temp function) and read a temp of
108 degrees F inside the center dashboard outlet with full heat set and
fresh air at approx 40 degrees F.

 

Thank you very much! This is in the range that I expected. I am having a hard
time figuring out what could be wrong. It seems to me that with the sort of
cable drive the Vue uses to adjust the position of the blend door, it is
unlikely that the door would not move.

Ed

 

I had this problem with my Vue; what got it fixed was really cold
outdoor temps (10-20 degrees). It set a "service engine soon" light due
to the coolant temperature being too low.
The retailer replaced the thermostat and it's much warmer now.

Where is your friend's temp gauge sitting on their Vue? Mine sat right
about the first hash mark (around 1/4 scale) before the replacement, now
it's between the first and second mark.

Replacing the thermostat is reported to be difficult and expensive (ca.
$500!). That may be why the retailer is pushing back.
-Rick

 

My reply is about an automobile in general. Saturn should be no different. I
have a '92 SL2 that will meet this criteria.

A cars heater should be able to produce air out of the center dash vents or
floor vents at 130° to 150°. Yes you have to take in account the outside
temperature - these readings should be good to an outside temp down to 10°. It
is not uncommon to have 140° air with the control to full "hot" and the fan on
medium. Lower fan speed with give you a higher reading, while a faster fan
speed will give you a slightly lower temp. (AC works the opposite)

My Durango will exceed 150° out the dash vents with the fan on the lowest
setting. Same with my SL2.

A pocket thermometer is handy to keep in the center vent and monitor the air
temp.

James