Hello, dear owners and fans of the Lada Kalina! In winter, the performance of the heating system becomes of paramount importance. If the stove is blowing cold air, then this is a real problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Otherwise, you can forget about traveling. We will tell you what to do if the stove does not work.
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
Problems with Kalina's heater elements?
To understand why Kalina’s stove does not work, you should understand its operating principle: The heater control unit (HCU) receives a signal from the ceiling temperature sensor in the cabin (installed in the interior lamp) and compares it with the temperature set by the driver. If the difference is greater than a certain value (for example, more than 2 degrees), then the ACS unit sends a control signal to the micromotor-gearbox (MMR), which controls the heater dampers (opens or closes hot air from the heater).
Therefore, if Kalina’s stove only blows hot or cold air, regardless of the position of the handle on the heater block, then start by checking the interior temperature sensor.
Also, the cause may be the MMR itself, for example, its resistor layers or gear teeth have worn out.
Sometimes it happens that the stove does not blow well - the first thing you should do is replace the cabin air filter. The speed of the heater fan is affected by the heater resistor (for example, the 4th speed of the heater does not work), so it makes sense to check it too (it’s under the glove compartment).
If the electric heater fan does not turn on at all, then check the Kalina heater fuse - F5. And if the heater howls or hums, then most likely the problem is in the heater fan.
Another reason for the heater not working properly could be the Kalina heater control unit itself (for example, there are problems with the heater damper), but don’t rush to buy a replacement without making sure the actions are correct. The easiest way to find out why the stove is not working properly is to replace the part with a working one and check its functionality. It is not necessary to buy a new part; you can ask a friend for a known working part, or negotiate with the seller, leaving a deposit.
Thus, we have examined all the elements of the heater (see also the design of the Kalina stove). Start following the order of the article, moving from simple to complex, and then you will certainly be able to repair Kalina’s stove with your own hands!
In winter, my pepelats is not as warm as it should be. In this case, the fan works normally, judging by the air flow. The thermostat is most likely working, since the engine temperature reaches one hundred and ten, and the radiator fan turns on at the same time. The heater radiator couldn't have clogged up in three years, I think. What else can you sin on? Air lock? I have never had gurgling sounds anywhere.
I decided to touch the plastic heater flap lever. Sitting on the driver's seat, I crouched down and grabbed this lever with my right hand. He extended his left hand to the base of the windshield to feel the temperature of the air flow from the blower slots. At the same time, my ear ended up near the deflectors above my beard. My observation: When I pressed the lever, the sound in the deflectors changed. And the air became warmer. It's not like the air turned fiery. Of course not. But my hand felt the difference.
Now we need to figure out how to solve this problem. I don’t like the options that I saw during the drive, when they were tinkering with rubber bands and springs. The “shit and sticks” method is, of course, good... But I want to do it once and forget. Maybe someone has some ideas? Or has anyone already gone through this stage?
Yesterday after work I used the first spring I found.
Depending on the configuration, the layout of the Lada Kalina stove may vary. In one case, the design of the ventilation and heating system is simple and reliable, in the other, temperature control in the car interior is controlled by automation and electronics. Let's look at the operating principle of the Lada Kalina heater in different modifications.
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.
Fan check:
- We move the handle to the extreme position;
- We change the speed from first to fourth;
- We determine the intensity of the air supply (if the fan is working, the air flow should increase).
If during the test you find that the fan does not work in all modes, check the integrity of the resistor and switch. Replace parts if necessary. If the air supply is low, change the filter.
Sensor malfunctions
Like any car part, this one is not protected from breakdowns and malfunctions. The owner should pay attention to the condition of the detector if the following interruptions in the operation of the climate control are observed:
- heating does not start when the temperature in the cabin is below the permissible level;
- the heater does not turn off, even when the car is hotter than necessary;
- The climate system does not work at all (this may be either a sign of a faulty detector or damaged wiring).
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Adjusting the dampers
- We move the regulator to the extreme position;
- Set the fan to maximum;
- 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.
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.
Sequencing:
- 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.
We take into account the little things when the stove malfunctions
Almost any malfunction can be prevented. This is a less expensive action compared to a full range of measures to eliminate it. To prevent failure of the heating system in the Lada Kalina, when it is not clear why cold air is blowing, you will need to carefully monitor the condition of its many components, then you will not have to look for the causes of the malfunction and eliminate them.
Such events include:
- Before leaving, check for dark spots under the engine compartment of the car, which indicates possible antifreeze leaks from the cooling circuit;
- periodic inspection of the cooling system pipes for leaks of working fluid;
- monitoring the serviceability of the valve in the expansion tank plug;
- detailed inspection of the radiator assembly (leakage of tanks is a common occurrence).
Sometimes the loss of functionality of the stove is influenced by air pockets in the system and low levels of antifreeze in the circuit due to its leaks.
The loss of tightness of the radiator of the heating system is especially dangerous, since the antifreeze flowing from the circuit meets the electronic engine control module (ECU) on its way. Sensitive electronics immediately fail, forcing the owner to fork out money to fix the problems. A leak may be indicated by the presence of refrigerant in the cabin, which will give off a characteristic sweetish odor. If this happens, then the panel must be dismantled immediately and the radiator inspected (replaced) before the antifreeze damages the electronic control module.
To reduce the likelihood of damage to the ECU by coolant entering its housing, some LADA Kalina owners move the electronic unit to another location in the cabin. The procedure is not complicated, but quite effective. Here we perform the following manipulations:
- dismantle the decorative cladding;
- unscrew two screws;
- remove the ECU towards you;
- We place this block on a shelf near the glove compartment;
- cable harnesses should not be disconnected;
- We fix the electronic module in a new place.
By performing all the indicated actions correctly, the owner is guaranteed to protect the control unit from the consequences of a breakdown of the stove radiator.
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