How to fix poor heating of the Lada Kalina car heater

Trouble-shooting

The cooling system is directly connected to the stove, so malfunctions in its operation negatively affect the functionality of the stove. First of all, we check the presence of coolant in the tank. As the manufacturer indicates, its level should be in the range between the minimum and maximum marks (applied directly to the tank).

A little trick:

In order for the interior to warm up faster, in the cold season it is advisable to “keep” the level at about.

This effect is explained quite simply - the less liquid in the system, the faster it heats up. As a result, the stove is able to heat the interior faster.

Constant monitoring of the coolant level is necessary - leaks are unacceptable.

The malfunction is identified quite simply: increased fluid consumption indicates leaks. If this occurs due to leaks in the radiator, repair (soldering) or replacement is necessary. It is also necessary to carefully check the pipes, tighten the clamps, and generally ensure complete tightness.

Let's sum it up

The failure of the stove to supply heated air to the interior of the Lada Kalina is a rather unpleasant situation, which is especially important in winter. As we found out, the most significant reason why cold air is blowing is a violation of the tightness of the heating circuit radiator and the formation of traffic jams. If such a malfunction occurs, the owner will need to fix it as soon as possible. This is not difficult to do and can be done by an owner who does not have the skills of a service technician.

Technical device of the heating system

The functions of the stove are not only to create comfortable conditions in the cabin, but also to heat the windows. Therefore, driving in winter with a faulty heater is problematic. The stove on Kalina is no different from similar devices in other cars. A traditional supply and exhaust heater model is used. In the engine cooling system, antifreeze is heated to 90 °C and supplied to the radiator through pipes. Due to the hot liquid, the air is heated and sent through the air ducts into the car interior.

The heating system design includes:

• radiator;
• air distributor;
• fan;
• ventilation filter;
• air ducts

Statistics of malfunctions of the Lada Kalina stove

According to the results of the survey “ Why does the stove heat poorly on the Lada Kalina? » the main causes of the malfunction were identified:

1. 32% voted for problems with the heater damper.
2. 14% of votes were given for a faulty heater fan.
3. The same number of votes (13%) were given for a failed ventilation and heating system control unit and a faulty heater radiator (replacement).
4. For 9% of survey participants, the fault in the heater’s malfunction was the damper’s micromotor reducer.

The remaining votes were given for other problems with the Lada Kalina stove: a faulty additional resistor for the stove, a cabin temperature sensor and a dirty cabin filter.

Let us remind you that you can find various modifications to the car systems in the Lada Kalina tuning section.

Keywords: Lada Kalina stove | air ducts Lada Kalina | air conditioner Lada Kalina | filters Lada Kalina | Lada Kalina cooling system

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How to check the functionality of the stove?

After familiarizing yourself with the structure of the stove, we proceed to check the functionality of all its elements. Let's find out the reason why cool air is blowing from the Kalina stove. Before starting each operation, we first start the engine.

1. We move the handle to the extreme position;
2. We change the speed from first to fourth;
3. We determine the intensity of the air supply (if the fan is working, the air flow should increase).

How to remove a plug from the cooling system.

There are 2 main ways:

1. Works on all families of Viburnum cars: stand with your face on a good slope, unscrew the cap of the expansion tank and warm up the car until the fan operates. After the radiators and engine have completely warmed up, a trickle of coolant will flow through the return into the expansion tank, if it doesn’t work you need to gas it. We constantly monitor the structure of the incoming liquid; if it foams and there are clearly bubbles in it, then we continue further until coolant flows without air. This procedure takes about 20-30 minutes.
2. We remove the plug using the pipes going to the throttle assembly; those with an electronic gas pedal are not suitable. In this option, we leave the switched off car to stand for a certain time so that the air rises to the highest point, namely to the throttle assembly. After this, we unscrew one of the pipes and, holding one of the holes (on the throttle or the hose itself), blow into the expansion tank until coolant flows out without air, after that we plug the hole and carry out the same operation on the other. After two operations, we quickly connect everything back so that no air gets in.

Photo of the pipes near the throttle valve:

After removing the plug, be sure to increase the fluid level to the maximum.

Adjusting the dampers

1. We move the regulator to the extreme position;
2. Set the fan to maximum;
3. Use the handle to adjust the air direction.

If, when turning the knob, the direction of the air flow does not change, the control unit is broken. Most likely, the rod has fallen off, the roller has broken, or the damper has jammed. The control unit is located in the glove compartment area. We remove the panel and eliminate the causes of the breakdown.

A couple of useful tips

Have you noticed that the heater on the Lada Kalina blows cold? Proceed according to the scheme “from simple to complex”, first check the simplest elements of the heating and ventilation system, for example, the air filter and the presence of coolant. Then gradually move on to more complex design details.

Another good way to find out which part has failed is to replace it with a known working part and check the operation of the system. And you don’t have to buy a new spare part if you borrow it from a friend. You can also try to negotiate with the seller in the store, take a new part for testing, leaving a deposit.

Changing the radiator

If during the inspection it is determined that the radiator is faulty, then it must be repaired or replaced. The design of Kalina is such that this unit is not very conveniently located. It may take a long time to get to him. There are two options for replacing or repairing a radiator - contact a service center for help or act independently. If you decide to try your hand and spend a few “unforgettable” hours in your own garage, we will tell you how to remove and replace the radiator.

• drain the coolant;
• remove the battery (including the stand);
• remove the air filter and air duct;
• remove the driver's seat;
• release the gas and brake pedals (then they will need to be moved to the side);
• dismantle the power steering;
• disconnect the tubes and take out the radiator.

Installation of a new unit is carried out in the reverse order. When performing the operation, carefully fold the parts in the order in which they were removed. Otherwise, you will spend even more time figuring out where and what part to install. To replace the radiator, ask friends for help. It is better if it is 2-3 people.

A possible reason why the heater may blow cold air is an antifreeze leak. The most obvious sign of such a malfunction is that heat is supplied to the cabin only at high speeds. Determine where the fluid is dripping and fix the problem. Add antifreeze. The cabin will be warm.

DIY heating system repair

To change this or that part of the heating system, it is not at all necessary to seek help from specialists. This will help save time, but not money. If you follow the recommendations, you can replace some system components yourself.

Heater fan

Even beginners can replace the Kalina stove fan. The main problem is its location. For this reason, most of the time is spent not replacing the part, but dismantling it.

Fan replacement with panel removal

The method is recommended by AvtoVAZ engineers, but it is not the simplest. Not everyone decides to use it in a regular garage. When performing work, you must follow the instructions:

1. First, turn off the power to the on-board network by disconnecting the battery terminals.
2. Drain all coolant and remove the cabin filter.
3. After unscrewing the fastening nuts, lower the steering column to its lowest position.
4. Release the brake light switch from the wires, unclip the clips, and remove the upholstery from the pillars.
5. Unscrew the screws and remove the front panel (cladding), then remove the dashboard along with the deflectors.
6. Now you can begin dismantling the fan. To do this, you need to disconnect the terminal with wires from it, remove the ventilation hose, and unscrew the fastening nuts.

After installing the new fan, all further actions are carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. The procedure requires attention and accuracy and takes a lot of time. At some points, the help of a second person will be required.

Replacing a fan without removing the panel

It is not practical to remove the entire dashboard just because of the heater fan. You can replace the device without removing the dashboard - you just need to lift its right side. Next, you should “arm yourself” with a knife and a flashlight and crawl under the panel. The noise insulation is cut off, the fasteners are unscrewed, and replacing the Kalina stove motor becomes much easier. This method will significantly save time and nerves, although it will create some inconvenience.

Before you start replacing the electric fan, you need to make sure that this particular device is faulty.

Replacing the temperature controller

To dismantle the part and replace it, it is necessary to remove the control unit assembly. The procedure looks like this:

• the on-board network is de-energized by removing the “negative” terminal from the battery;
• the radio tape recorder (if any) is removed, and the terminal block of wires is unhooked from it;
• the damper control lever is removed;
• Next, the handle for controlling the temperature and direction of air flow is dismantled;
• there are plugs located at the bottom of the control unit - they need to be removed and the fastening screws underneath must be unscrewed;
• the center console should be carefully pulled towards you;
• After removing the console, disconnect the terminal blocks from the switches.

After replacement, everything is assembled in the reverse order. This operation is simple and only requires a couple of different screwdrivers to get the job done.

Replacing the heater core without removing the panel

Changing the heater radiator on a Lada Kalina, as on all front-wheel drive VAZ cars, is not an easy task. You will have to remove most of the front panel. To work, you will need a new heater radiator, hoses, clamps, an angle grinder and a standard set of tools. First you need to carry out some manipulations in the engine compartment:

• drain antifreeze from the cooling system;
• remove the battery and air filter housing, ensuring unhindered access to the heater pipes;
• you need to disconnect all the rubber pipes from the stove in the engine compartment, unscrew the nut securing the metal shield that covers the hoses going to the stove into the cabin.

Now you need to go to the salon and perform the following steps:

• unscrew the three fastening nuts and remove the gas pedal;
• move the brake pedal as far as possible to the side;
• Having made a cut on the metal shield, cut off the radiator pipes with a knife;
• Unscrew the fastening screws and pull out the heater radiator towards the pedals.

Removing the radiator without removing the panel is only half the battle. It is no less problematic to install it. Before this, the pipes should be thoroughly cleaned of burrs and roughness with fine-grained sandpaper.

A hose with a thicker end is attached to the upper radiator outlet, and a narrower end to the lower outlet. The other ends, without being confused, need to be installed instead of the old ones. It is advisable to treat the place where the hoses from the passenger compartment enter the engine compartment with soundproofing material.

Replacing the stove radiator will help solve the problem of insufficient heating. Due to the labor-intensive nature of most work on troubleshooting a heating system, prices for such services at specialized service stations may seem quite high. It is not surprising that many “folk” repair methods have appeared.

The radiator can reduce the performance of the stove

This component is present in the heating circuit of any car, including LADA Kalina. Sometimes its honeycombs are simply clogged with dust and dirt (fluff, leaves, etc.). This causes a decrease in stove performance. If the blockage occurs from the outside, then the solution is washing. It is performed with the radiator assembly removed. When there is a fluid leak (there is a persistent sweetish smell in the cabin), the only effective action is to replace this component.

Thermostat

This is another reason why the stove on Kalina does not heat well . The problem is that the flow of antifreeze is directed to the cabin heater only after the coolant has warmed up in a small circle. A thermostat is a kind of valve that controls the flow of fluid in the system. As soon as the temperature of the antifreeze in the small circle exceeds 72 degrees (or 82, depending on the brand), it opens and circulates in the large circle.

• With dismantling. In this case, the element is removed from the car (the antifreeze is first drained into a clean container). Next, it is placed in a small saucepan filled with water and heated on the stove. At this time, monitor the movement of the valve. If the water begins to bubble and the thermostat has not yet opened, it means that it has become unusable. The element may simply jam. This doesn’t happen often, but it is because of this part that the car suffers from overheating and problems with the cabin heater.
• On the spot. In this situation, you should warm up the engine to operating temperatures. Next you need to find the upper and lower radiator hoses. Wearing gloves, you should touch each of them in turn. If the pipe is cold on a warm engine, it means that the antifreeze circulates only in a small circle. The thermostat cannot be repaired and must be replaced entirely. Fortunately, his

READ How to remove the heater core on a RAV4

Cabin filter

This element is very important because it is “responsible” for the cleanliness of the cabin air. It should be replaced at least every 10 thousand km of distance traveled. Over time, the filter element becomes clogged and becomes unable to effectively pass air flow into the cabin. Replacing the LADA Kalina filter is quite simple. Under the hood is its housing, by opening the lid of which you can remove the used component. We install a new product in its place. We recommend purchasing a filter whose working element contains a carbon base, which allows you to effectively capture not only dust, but also harmful odors.

Sensor that measures the temperature in the cabin

It is located in the ceiling of the LADA Kalina , close to the lighting shade and perceives the temperature regime of the atmosphere inside the cabin. The element can also affect the operating mode of the stove. This occurs by comparing the actual temperature with the parameters set by the driver on the dashboard. Thus, the electronics adjusts the position of the dampers based on the “scanned” situation, and it seems to the driver that the stove has stopped responding to his “requests”. The reason for the disagreement is usually the banal oxidation of the contact group of the sensor, due to which it ceases to function correctly. The solution to the problem is to clean the contacts or replace the component.

Is the stove heating poorly? try it!!!

Recently in our VK group I saw one post that talked about solving a problem with the stove. And the problem was this: even at an engine temperature of 80-90 degrees at full speed, the stove did not warm up the interior well.

Moreover, everything is fine with all the equipment of Kalina’s heating system, and the thermostat is working, and there is no air lock, but it heats - well, not as it should! Read about the solution to this problem below, but for now a few words about observing your car.

I remember the first winter, the stove fried really well, and on the highway I almost never turned on second gear, since even in first it was hot in the cabin, and at fairly low temperatures - down to -25 degrees.

In subsequent winters I did not experience any sensation of heat, although I never froze. But there is one BUT - now the first speed of the heater was not enough for a comfortable temperature.

But until recently I didn’t bother about this, it’s warm at speed 2, and it’s normal!

And when I read one article, I realized that the problem is not isolated and most likely my Kalina also has such a problem.

And it lies in the following: even with the temperature control knob in the extreme position (at the maximum “hot”), the heater damper does not open completely, and accordingly, the temperature of the air flow from the air ducts is not maximum.

The lever of this damper can be seen if you look at the heater body on the driver’s side; there is also a cable that goes to it:

The essence of the modification is to ensure that the damper moves as far forward as possible (in the direction of travel of the car) when turning the lever to the extreme “hot” position. If you doubt that you have this problem, you can do as I did.

First, I brought the temperature sensor from the multimeter to the central deflector and measured the temperature at the 1st heater speed in normal mode, as it was before, without changing anything. This is what it looked like in practice:

As a result, in normal mode, without any manipulations with the damper, the temperature on the device showed 47 degrees (the car was not yet warmed up).

Then I immediately lower my hand under the panel and press the lever harder until it stops, thereby opening the damper to the maximum.

It feels like you may not even feel that the damper has moved, since there is enough movement of a millimeter for there to be a drop in temperature.

As a result, when the lever is pressed by hand, the air flow immediately becomes noticeably hotter, not only in sensations, but also in the readings of the device. The temperature increases instantly from 5 to 7 degrees in my case:

As you can see, in my case it also turns out that the stove did not heat well, compared to how it heats now. Well, in order to slightly modernize that same ill-fated knot, you will need a small spring (try it on on the spot) and pliers to change the length if necessary.

I think that the meaning of the modernization is clear; it is necessary to hook one end of it to the damper lever, and the other end to the protrusion on the body. It is located there, as if specifically for this modification

Cabin filter

In addition to the air filter, Kalina also has a cabin filter. It is responsible for cleaning the air entering the cabin. The element must be changed every 10 thousand kilometers (in extreme conditions - every 5). If the stove on the Kalina does not heat, this may be the reason. In this case, the intensity of the flow itself will drop significantly. Air will blow weakly from the nozzles. The way out of the situation is to install a new cabin filter. It costs about 300 rubles. To replace, you need to open the hood and partially remove the “jabot” under the windshield wipers. Next, open the lid and remove the contaminated element.

Thermostat

This is another reason why the stove on Kalina well . The problem is that the flow of antifreeze is directed to the cabin heater only after the coolant has warmed up in a small circle. A thermostat is a kind of valve that controls the flow of fluid in the system. As soon as the temperature of the antifreeze in the small circle exceeds 72 degrees (or 82, depending on the brand), it opens and circulates in the large circle.

• With dismantling. In this case, the element is removed from the car (the antifreeze is first drained into a clean container). Next, it is placed in a small saucepan filled with water and heated on the stove. At this time, monitor the movement of the valve. If the water begins to bubble and the thermostat has not yet opened, it means that it has become unusable. The element may simply jam. This doesn’t happen often, but it is because of this part that the car suffers from overheating and problems with the cabin heater.
• On the spot. In this situation, you should warm up the engine to operating temperatures. Next you need to find the upper and lower radiator hoses. Wearing gloves, you should touch each of them in turn. If the pipe is cold on a warm engine, it means that the antifreeze circulates only in a small circle. The thermostat cannot be repaired and must be replaced entirely. Fortunately, his