-21C outside, no heat inside!

[2006.300.AWD]

My 300 has never been one to blow hot air, and it has usually taken longer than I'd like to get the warmth that I like... But now that it's -21C outside it has become an issue. My 40 minute drive this morning started out with the car barely turning over, followed by arctic conditions INSIDE the car the whole way to work. Thank goodness for heated seats!

Any idea where to start looking for solutions to the no heat in the cockpit problem?

Thanks

[paul@thecustom300cshop]

i can remember seeing a post that a flap sticking on the heater? or maybe your stat is stuck?

[DESIREE]

1) Frozen and/or slushy coolant in the heater coolant flow circuit blocking adequate flow. Check for
adequate freeze protection.
2) Thermostat may be leaking internally allowing coolant to flow when it is not supposed to. Try putting a
piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to reduce air flow through it.
3) Low coolant level not allowing sufficient coolant to flow to the heater core.
4) Partially blocked heater core not allowing sufficient coolant to flow through it.

[MADDOG]

Start it up and let it idle for a while to insure the coolant reaches operating temperature and begins cycling.

[Rickk]

First of all, your coolant mix should be at least 50/50, and possibly a little richer where you reside. Secondly, it's good practice to allow your vehicle to idle a few minutes in the driveway before you take it for a drive. That way, your windshield and rear window will have been defrosted a bit, and the interior will have some heat by then. Before I drove my car last night, I let it idle in the driveway a good five minutes as the temperature was 6 F above outside.

[Montreal300]

Lance, you didn't say anything about your temperature gauge or if you checked the EVIC for temperatures.

[Montreal300]

By the way it was -32C at my place this morning. The 300 was NOT a happy camper.

[DESIREE]

2006.300.AWD:
Just wondering, does your car sit outside in that kind of temperature? Or is it kept in a relatively warm garage?

[2006.300.AWD]

Thank for the feedback guys. To answer some of your questions:

The car sits outside all the time.
I let the car idle for a bit before I go sometimes, but not by default/habit.
The temp gauge displays correctly in the instrument cluster.
I have not yet learned what the EVIC is so I have not checked it either.

When I got to work this morning I parked it inside the shop where it had a chance to warm up overall, for about 3 hours before I took it for another drive. This time it was bearable because the car had residual heat, but as time went on it got colder inside. It is blowing warmer-than-outside air at this point, but not enough to take the hat'n mitts off. I have to check the other things mentioned in this thread still.

[MikeHTally]

Sounds like the 'stat is stuck open, but that would make the temp gauge read low.