SureTrack Real Fix: Total Recall

Real Fixes from the SureTrack® expert information resource are documented issues from actual shop repair records and community discussions. Read on to see how SureTrack can help you correct issues that are not easily diagnosed using OEM information alone. SureTrack is available at no additional cost in our ProDemand product.


Getting your car repaired due to a recall shouldn’t cause other problems. SureTrack community member UNCLE BOBBY had a Ford Escape in their shop where the owner had taken it to the dealer for a recall and now the heat didn’t work. They posed the question to the community, and with the help of fellow community member Ericsautomotive and others, they were able to resolve the issue quickly.

The following Community Fix summarizes the interaction between members of the community that led to the solution.

Vehicle
2014 Ford Escape SE 1.6L

Title
No heat after dealer recall repair, replaced heater bypass valve.

Complaint
Customer complains of no heat.

Diagnostic Steps Performed/Parts Replaced
Customer states heat was great before taking vehicle in to dealer for factory recall to address cylinder head temperature issue. Many different pipes and wires and so forth installed at dealer. Customer took it back to Ford dealer and they say their system is functioning as it should. Was told coolant may have “gelled” or heater core may be blocked. Checked for heater operation. Checked heater hose temp and for engine coming up to temp. Heater hoses are cold. Circulation does not seem to be right. No overheat. Does not seem to be air bound. We have worked on this car since he bought it. Never had any heating problems until after this cooling system recall. Any body have heating problems with these?

Best Answer from Community Member Ericsautomotive
Pinch off the bypass hose and see if heat returns.

Cause
Continued testing system and found that heater bypass valve had been replaced at dealer and it was defective causing no heat condition.

Correction
Replaced a defective brand new heater bypass valve. Filled cooling system and bled out air. Heat works as it should.


SureTrack® adds to the power of ProDemand® with an exclusive combination of real-world knowledge and powerful diagnostic tools, all wrapped in an interactive community of professional technicians. Designed to help automotive shops increase accuracy and efficiency from diagnosis to completed repair, the industry’s most comprehensive repair information resource is just a few clicks away.

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About the Author

Nick Taylor

Nick Taylor is the SureTrack Community Administrator and a Senior Applications Specialist at Mitchell 1 with over 25 years of experience with electronic repair data systems. Nick previously worked in the automotive dismantling and engine rebuilding industries.