Rogueain

Just like to let everyone know, I finally got my RX8. Winning Blue, gorgeous car. Woot.

Problem is lack of heat. It's cold outside...

I already ripped the dash apart, soldered the heater chip, now it passes the diagnostic.

Problem is, it's gotten only a little warmer, and only on the passenger side. Driver's side still blowing freezing cold air in my face.

Wtf do I do?

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

passenger side and defrost blowing warm air?

Rogueain

Yes. Both warm on passenger. Cold on driver.
Edit: Same goes for floors too.

Rogueain

Anyone?

I'm doubting it's the antifreeze, i added to it, with no luck.

Maybe it's a fuse? I checked the fuses I thought might be related under the hood, they're all good.
Maybe it's one near the driver's side floor?

Should I attempt to change the thermostat?
(Bought the car in Arizona, where the previous owner most likely NEVER used the heat since it's the desert)

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

None of your issues would issolate cold air to the drivers side and warm air to the passenger. It isn't even like the 8 has dual climate controls to get hung up. You have one heat pump that services both sides.

Rogueain

Do you think the heat pump is bad? The engine temp is where it's supposed to be, just slightly below half. Oil pressure is 2 notches above half. I'm really considering replacing the thermostat.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

There is an actuator valve on the left side that directs air to the drivers side...it might not be working. That is the most likely thing if you have heat on the other side

If you have a shop manual I think it has a picture and diagnostics for this valve

Rogueain

Thanks a lot, I'll get right on it. Just thought I'd ask though, a lot of people on here say the heat is Really hot. When I say the passenger gets hot, i really only mean warm at best.

It's noticeably warmer than the passenger, but it's not scorching hot or anything. Lukewarm, and this is with the heat on full blast, engine's been idling for about 10 minutes.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Takes a while to heat up...10 minutes with the temp it is today...will take a bit longer than that.....

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

No...if the pump was bad you would have no heat at all. Dannobre has an idea there...however dannobre wouldn't the airflow be restricted to the drivers side as well? And as for the heat...yes...you could probably melt an ice cube quickly when the thermostat opens and you get full on heat.

Rogueain

Well, I will admit that the thermostat is probably OK. When I was driving it home, stuck in traffic, the heater kicked on finally, and it was pretty hot. Had to open the windows to vent a little. But, that's the only time It's worked properly, and I was stuck on I5 while everyone put on chains for a couple hours.

Very little movement.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Did you have heat on the drivers side while you were sitting there?

Rogueain

Yeah, I think so. My hands were freezing, so I don't remember clearly. But it was hot enough to warm my hands up. After we got back on the road, it went back to cold.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like the A/C amp? Or tje thermoregulator isn't working?

Rogueain

I don't know, I regret, I know very little about cars.
But I can fix just about any computer.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

If it was something like the AC amp or thermoregulator thingy it would effect both sides...right?

Rogueain

I'd put money on this thing, it's not working correctly.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Sure...it could be the blower if the air isn't moving at all. I just went through all 89 pages of the service manual. There is nothing that is driver vs. passenger side specific except for the duct. You probably have a dead rat or something stuck up in there.

Rogueain

LOL crap. How would I fix that?!

For that matter, how would I check?

Victorino77

I am having the exact same issue. If it weren't so cold outside i would be out there troubleshooting it myself. I need a garage!

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

It's only 1F here...-15 with the wind. Come on over. A wrench might freeze to your hand in 5 minutes...but that will give us 4 minutes to try and get in there. :P

Seriously...best bet would probably be to take a coat hanger and try and fish it in and see how far you can get. Out of curiosity...does your rear drivers side duct put out hot air?

Rogueain

Good question, didn't think to check. Let me go run my 8 for a bit and i'll check back with ya.

Victorino77

Yeah that would involve me going outside ... We'll just see what Rogueain finds out.

Rogueain

Prognosis:

Same thing in the back, as the front. Unless i found the wrong vents...

Under the seat is where i found it blowing in the back.

Cold on driver, warm/warmish on passenger. Seems the vents blow a little colder in the back, which would seem normal to me, since the air has to travel a bit farther. Plus it's freezing outside ;p

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

How is the air speed between the two?