Heater repair for all makes

Heater blowing cold? We repair your car heater

Is the heater blowing cold air or only getting lukewarm? Does the fan only work on the highest setting? We find the cause and repair your car heater, whatever make you drive. You hear the price in advance.

4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews | All makes | Price agreed in advance

The short answer

If your car heater is blowing cold, it is usually down to the coolant, the thermostat, the heater fan or a flap behind the dashboard. Autobedrijf Willemsbrug at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde first finds the cause and then repairs the heater on cars of all makes.

You hear the price in advance and we only do extra work once you agree. You book an appointment by phone on +31 10 479 00 00. You drop off your car Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 8.30 am or on Saturday at 9.00 am.

Jump to: symptoms · causes and solutions · frequently asked questions · directions

Do you recognise any of these symptoms?

A heater that does not work properly is more than a nuisance in winter. Without warm air, the windscreen steams up and you see less. Also read how to prevent misted windows in winter (in Dutch). Look out for these problems:

  • The heater blows cold or lukewarm air, even when the engine is warm
  • The fan only works on the highest setting
  • No air or very little air comes out of the vents
  • The temperature gauge stays low or climbs too high
  • You smell something sweet or see a greasy film on the windscreen
  • You hear ticking or clicking behind the dashboard when you turn the knob

Does the temperature gauge climb too high or does a warning light come on? Then stop in a safe place, switch off the engine and call us or your breakdown service. Also read what to do if the engine overheats (in Dutch). Do not open the coolant reservoir while the engine is hot. Can the car not go any further? Read what to do in case of a breakdown.

How your car heater works

The heater uses the heat from the engine. Warm coolant flows through a small radiator behind the dashboard. That is the heater matrix. The heater fan blows air past this matrix into your car.

A flap mixes warm and cold air to the temperature you choose. An electric car works differently. There, an electric heating element or a heat pump provides the heat.

If one part does not work properly, the heater stays cold. That is why we find the cause first, before we replace anything.

What we do with your heater

  • Check and top up the coolant and bleed the system
  • Check the thermostat and the water pump and replace them if needed
  • Test the heater fan, the blower resistor, fuses and relays
  • Check the flaps and actuators behind the dashboard
  • Check the cabin filter (pollen filter) and replace it if needed
  • Read the fault codes on cars with climate control

Extra work is only done with your approval.

Symptom, possible cause and solution

This table shows which symptom often goes with which cause. We only know what is really going on once we have checked the car.

Heater problems and possible causes
Symptom Possible cause What we do
Heater blows cold and the temperature gauge stays low The thermostat stays open, so the engine does not warm up Check the thermostat and replace it if needed
Heater blows cold, temperature gauge normal Too little coolant, air in the system or a flap that sticks Top up and bleed, look for a leak, check the flap and actuator
Fan only works on the highest setting The blower resistor or the fan control module is faulty Replace the resistor or module
Fan does not work on any setting Fuse, relay, connector or the heater fan itself Test the electrics and replace the faulty part
Little air, windows steam up quickly Blocked cabin filter (pollen filter) Replace the filter
Heater warm on one side only Climate control actuator or temperature sensor, or air in the system Read the fault codes, check the flaps and cooling system
Sweet smell, greasy film on the windscreen or a wet front floor mat Coolant leaking at the heater matrix Trace the leak and discuss the options with you
Temperature gauge climbs too high For example too little coolant, a thermostat that stays closed, the water pump or the radiator fan Stop, switch off the engine and call us. We check the cooling system
Heater stays cold in a hybrid or electric car Electric heating element, heat pump or software Read the fault codes and check the system, by our GMTO-certified mechanics

Heater fan and blower resistor

Does the fan only work on the highest setting? Then the blower resistor is usually faulty. It controls the lower settings. If the fan does not work at all, it can also be a fuse, a relay or the fan itself. According to the manufacturer Nissens, a blocked cabin filter shortens the life of the fan. That is why we also look at the filter.

Thermostat and coolant

If the thermostat stays open, the engine does not warm up properly and the heater stays lukewarm. According to the ANWB, a thermostat costs about € 25 to € 180, depending on the type. Replacing it takes from a little over an hour up to three hours. That is a guide figure, not a quote from us. Too little coolant or air in the system also keeps the heater cold.

We work on all makes and models, including hybrid and electric cars. You can also come to us with a van or motorhome up to 3,500 kg.

Why we find the cause first

A cold heater can have many causes. If you replace parts on a hunch, you often pay for nothing. So we first check the coolant, the engine temperature and how the fan and flaps work. Then you hear what is wrong, what it costs and how long it takes.

Our repairs come with a warranty. When you get the quote, you hear which warranty applies. Call +31 10 479 00 00 for a check or a quote. During a service we also check the coolant. Do you also notice the engine getting too hot? Then read more about the radiator and cooling system.

Frequently asked questions about your car heater

No need to click. All the answers are already open below.

Why is my car heater blowing cold air?

The most common causes are too little coolant, air in the cooling system, a thermostat that stays open or a flap behind the dashboard that sticks. A blocked heater matrix can also be the cause. We discuss with you what is possible in that case. Look at the temperature gauge as well. If it stays low, the engine is not warming up properly. We find out what is causing it.

My heater only works on the highest setting. What is broken?

Usually the blower resistor (or series resistor) is faulty. It controls the lower fan settings. On the highest setting the current bypasses the resistor. That is why that setting still works. On some cars the resistor is built into the fan or into a control module. Then we replace that part. It is often a small repair, but that depends on the car. You hear the price in advance.

Can I keep driving if the heater stays cold?

Yes. Usually you can, as long as the temperature gauge stays normal. Then drive carefully to the garage. Do make sure you have a clear view and that the windscreen does not steam up. If your car has no temperature gauge, watch for warning lights and messages. If the temperature gauge climbs too high or a warning light comes on, stop in a safe place and switch off the engine. An engine that gets too hot can suffer serious damage. Then call us for advice.

How much does a heater repair cost?

That depends on the cause. A blower resistor or a cabin filter is often quick to replace. According to the ANWB, a thermostat costs about € 25 to € 180, depending on the type. That is a guide figure, not a quote from us. You hear the price in advance and we only start once you agree. Our repairs come with a warranty. When you get the quote, you hear which warranty applies.

I can smell something sweet in the car. What does that mean?

A sweet smell, a greasy film on the inside of the windscreen or a wet front floor mat can point to coolant leaking at the heater matrix. Have it looked at soon. Coolant is poisonous and a leak can make the engine overheat. We trace the leak and discuss the options with you.

How long does a heater repair take?

That depends on the cause. Replacing a blower resistor or a cabin filter, or topping up coolant, is often done within an hour. According to the ANWB, replacing a thermostat takes from a little over an hour up to three hours. When you book, you hear how long it takes. You drop off the car Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 8.30 am or on Saturday at 9.00 am.

Does the heater in a hybrid or electric car work differently?

Yes. An electric car has no warm engine. The heat comes from an electric heating element or a heat pump. A heat pump works with refrigerant, like the air con. A hybrid uses the heat from the engine and sometimes electric heating as well. Our mechanics hold the GMTO certificate (the Dutch qualification for working on high-voltage systems) for work on hybrid and electric cars. Read more about the air con and heat pump in electric cars.

Can I bring my van or motorhome too?

Yes. The engine-driven heater in a van or motorhome works the same way as in a car. You can come to us for this with a van or motorhome up to 3,500 kg. A parking heater and the heating in the living area of a motorhome are not included.

Heater repair in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 (3077 AW) in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) and exit 24 Rotterdam-Feijenoord on the A16. The A15 is five minutes’ drive away. There is free parking outside if there is space. The Stadion Feijenoord tram stop (line 3) is close by.

We are also easy to reach from Barendrecht, Ridderkerk, Capelle aan den IJssel, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht and Zwijndrecht. We work by appointment. You drop your car off Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 8.30 am or on Saturday at 9.00 am. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

Plan your route to Boterdiep 11 or see our contact page.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8.00 to 17.30
Saturday: 9.00 to 15.00
Sunday: closed
We are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Does your heater need checking or repairing?

Call us with your registration number. You will hear the cost in advance and we only start once you agree.

Our score is 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews. Read what our customers say (in Dutch).

Also see our pages about the radiator, the air con service, the battery in winter and car diagnostics (in Dutch).

Nederlands? Deze pagina is er ook in het Nederlands.