Why is the heat only working in the drivers side and not the passenger side?

Asked by rickmahadeo Jan 22, 2014 at 11:38 AM about the 2010 Dodge Journey SE FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

The heat in my dodge journey only works on the drivers side and i am only getting cold air
from the passenger side, please help! as it's been freezing for the past few days.

41 Answers

1,550

hi...my daughter has a 09...same exact problem u have...and dealer says 1200 to fix...UNREAL

90 people found this helpful.
1,550

by looking thru this site...seems a very common problem with this vehicle...manufacturing defect is what I say

65 people found this helpful.
1,710

Let me tell you my experience.I had a similar problem. My Dodge Journey would blow hot air on the driver side and lukewarm air on the passenger side. It then would have issues changing the air-flow from your feet, to your face, to the window, etc. After investigating the issue for about a month I have come to the realization that the computer in the Dodge Journey's is actually pretty clever if not SMART. You see, whenever there is a problem, anywhere in the vehicle with any component, the Dodge Journey will start giving you issues with things you will notice right away. When this happens, there is a fault/problem somewhere in your car. It doesn't mean that the problem your facing is the actual problem, it just means you have a problem and you need to look deeper as to the root cause. In my situation, it started to happen as the weather got cold. At first, I thought I had to replace the entire wiring harness as whenever I touched wires, the blending doors started to work. Which made no sense BTW. It drove me and the mechanic/repair shop crazy. We couldn't make any sense of it. A few weeks went by and we started to test the blending doors. We soon discovered that the blending acuator on the passenger side that regulates the heat/cold temperature was malfunctioning. Depending on how cold the weather got, the actuator would actually not turn. This would cause the computer to throw alerts and refuse to change the climate temperature on the passenger side. At the same time, it would not allow you to change the air flow from feet, face, to window and it would constantly default to the window air flow. The minute we replaced the blending door actuator, all the problems have gone away. I should also mention that when we hooked up a scanner to it, there were two faults that were totally unrelated to the blending door actuator which stated an open circuit. So, when your Dodge Journey is having problems and you can't explain them, look further. Take the time to investigate because the car is simply telling you that something is wrong. It is your job to diagnose the problem. A few years ago, I had a fuse blow on me on the air bag system. I would constantly get an air bag light turn on in the vehicle. Took me a while to figure it out. The way the car was telling me that there is a problem is whenever I tried to put fuel in it, the pump would cut out. Once the fuse was replaced, I was able to pump gas no problems.

125 people found this helpful.
230

Eric, what did you do to fix the airbag signal? Ours recently started going off as well, for no reason. Did fixing the actuator fix, the problem?

23 people found this helpful.
1,710

If your air bag signal is coming on for no reason, check the fuse box...it could be a faulty/missing fuse...in my case, it was a missing fuse...weird I know...but a day prior, my vehicle was in the shop and the fuses were looked at...seemed like one was not put back where it was supposed to be. Regarding the actuator, fixing the actuator that was broken did in fact fix my air flow problems yes. I haven't had any issues since.

24 people found this helpful.
280

Good to know about the actuator. I also have. 2010 journey and the same heat problem less than a year after having heater core replaced. Having same problem again. Will suggest the actuator when I take it AGAIN to get fixed.

28 people found this helpful.
650

We have a 2010 Dodge Journey and we are having the same problem our heater doesn’t work on the passenger side and also our horn also goes off by itself when the car is in use or isn’t in use

64 people found this helpful.
240

Can u tell me what u found out about this problem? As my journey does the same thing rt now!

24 people found this helpful.
480

My horn would go off and on and was running my battery dead so I just under plugged it... Plus my heater is blowing cold air out on the passenger side to... Need to figure out what is doing it. Any information to fix the heater problem would be helpful thanks.

48 people found this helpful.
250

I was just curious did anybody figure out the horn issue because my car is doing that as well and the heat in my car is like that too but I've noticed that now my heat is only getting warm when I drive and when I'm idling it starts to blow cold air

25 people found this helpful.
160

@Damara2005 I had the horn issue for years now. I even took it to the dealership, no one knows what is causing it, so what I did was removed the fuse to the horn..problem solved. I only replace the fuses when its time for a state vehicle inspection. Hope this helps

9 people found this helpful.
690

Horn issue is a tool. Jist fixed one at work today. Heat issue was heater core

22 people found this helpful.
690

No idea why it switch it to tool. But that eord should be a tipm

8 people found this helpful.
690

And not heater core. Blend door. I suspected heater core but it was an actuator.

12 people found this helpful.
160

@Mike ..concerning the horn issue...you said its a tool? what type of tool?

7 people found this helpful.
690

I meant to type TIPM very common for this issue. Tipm is built inside fuse block under hood.

14 people found this helpful.
70

Judith I had same problem with my horn blowing....dealership had for 2 weeks...called Dodge. They sent out representative. Engineer's told them to replace horn pad on the steering wheel. that fixed the problem.

7 people found this helpful.
970

Having same issue with heat in my ‘10 journey. Drivers is hot passenger is cold. How hard is it to access blend door actuator?

97 people found this helpful.
690

Start with making sure temp is changing from cold to hot on pass side. If it is replace heater corr

13 people found this helpful.
140

Mike what does it take to fix the horn I too have both of these problems I unplugged my horn fuse and haven’t had a horn for nearly 2 years. It’s really not safe. Also there is a clicking under my passenger dash that is air related. it clicks sometimes a couple times and sometimes for a minute or two. Even does it when the car isn’t running

14 people found this helpful.
450

The Dodge Journey has 3 blend door accuators. Which one needs to be replaced when not getting heat on passenger side? I replaced the heater core back in Nov and it fixed the issue up until a couple of weeks ago and was getting cool air all around. The thermostat was replaced today and now I have heat in the back and on drivers side, but not passenger side.

45 people found this helpful.
60

Has anyone had the passenger side heat issue with Dodge Avenger or Chrysler 200? We were told heater cores for both. We previously had a Dodge Journey and put in at least 3 heater cores.

6 people found this helpful.
500

Michelle..There are two actuators to the left and one on the right behind the glove box.It is the actuator on the left toward the back,that’s harder to reach,that is the actuator that controls the cold and hot.Mine was blowing cold air on the drivers side on hot on the passengers side and that’s the one that had to be changed.

29 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 2018 journey and the ac takes more than 10min to cool off

2 people found this helpful.
80

Mllandbal. I have a si.ilar problem with my dodge journey 2012 now, only hot air from the passenger vent in front. Other vents are blowing cold air. The mechanic refilled and vacuumed the AC system today & told me to go to a dealership for solution. Pls what can I do, cos I was told dealership will be expensive

8 people found this helpful.
60

Horn honking issue.... a mechanic friend told me that a low battery in a fob would cause the horn to honk intermittently. I had the batteries replaces in both fobs and the horns stopped doing it. Try it! We are also dealing with the heat not coming out of the passenger side. I replaced the heater core - the old one was definitely clogged on the passenger side. I also flushed the coolant system, put in really expensive coolant - replaced the thermostat. Still have the issue. Ugh.

6 people found this helpful.
500

When the air on the left side of my car was cold and hot on the right side,I replaced the Blender actuator that is behind the glove box in the far back left hand side.When you pop the glove box door off you will see two actuators on the left.I had to replace the farthest one back.This fixed the issue.Now 9 months later when it turned cold and I switched to heat, It he drivers side is blowing hot and the left side is blowing cold!!..I ordered another actuator & I am going to try to replace the one behind the glove box that is closer to the front and see if this fixes the issue..If not I will have the heater core flushed & go from there.My Journey is a 2014,a Which also now has a recall on the Catalytic Converter.Also the car can be knocked out of gear if someone bumps the shifter while it is running.Anyone else have that problem?

10 people found this helpful.
60

Having an issue with my 2013 dodge journey where when I use my heat it only works in the back and not the front and have no idea of what it is. Can anyone help?

6 people found this helpful.
500

I bought actuators for less than $20 a piece online.Journeys have 3..two on the left and one on the right behind your glove box.I suggest replacing all 3 if you can afford the $60 bucks.If you don’t you may end up replacing one at a time anyways,like I did.

9 people found this helpful.
50

I have a 2011 dodge journey RT. I just flushed the whole system and replaced the thermostat and everything was working correctly, until about 2 days ago when the drivers side has hot air but passenger side was cold. So I checked the actuators and they are good as well, so I then checked the coolant reservoir and it was close to empty, I filled it back up and ran the car up to temp checked the heat and both sides are now at the same temp. So before dumping a bunch of money at the journey heating issue make sure you check the coolant reservoir and fill it if it is low. Because new heater cores are a PITA to change and they are not cheap.

5 people found this helpful.
170

I have a 2011 Dodge Journey SXT. Heat works on the driver side but NOT on the passenger side. Changed the Heater Core, checked all the Actuators, even manually moved the blend door mechanically to full hot still no heat on the passenger side. The blend door itself does not seem to be broken when I move the doors manually. Staring at the ceiling now and don't know what else to do !

17 people found this helpful.
90

@Guru9DCKFW, I have a 2009 Journey SXT with single climate and the drivers side blows 100.4° and passenger is 49° on heat. Changed all blend doors, flushed/reverse flushed heater core several times, replaced heater core, just replaced thermostat, car is not overheating and fluids are leaking or empty etc. The only thing left would be the heat/ac actuator behind the stereo in the dash I believe. $400 for a new one for my pos car. I live in northern MN and I have been dealing with this for now 2 winters and it actually hurts driving when it’s so flipping cold and car is blowing even colder on us. I try not let anyone ride with me as the passenger side is insanely cold. No snow pants or winter boots keep that kind of cold out. I hate this car.

9 people found this helpful.
110

For anyone who still has this problem do not pass go do not pay the dealer 1200 dollars I finally fixed it. There's 3 blend door actuators on the leftthe blower motor and air filter there's 2 more 1 upper and one lower. Pry the lever off open the door and close it up and it fixes it. My only guess is that the gasket on the door is bad and holds the door slightly open when it's all the way open its cold on the passenger side when its closed it's warm. Problem solved don't take it to a dealer so they can rob you. Good luck everyone.

11 people found this helpful.
50

I have an 09 Dodge Journey and the heat works on the driver's side but not the passenger side. The heat on the driver's side that does work isn't very hot. Doesn't keep.me warm enough. Barely defrosts my front window. Also, my heated seat on the driver side doesn't work either.. sucks especially when it's -20!

5 people found this helpful.
80

I have a 2011 journey and I've had it for the last 3 years. First winter had heat no problem and all of a sudden last year I had that same issue of only having heat come out the driver side. Last yeah I replaced the blending actuator and did nothing. A few months later I bought a brand new heating core and still, only fixed the passenger side by about 2 degrees. I need help!! What else could it be????

8 people found this helpful.
50

Hi, I also had the same problem on an 09 journey that I had recently had a rad flush and new coolant. So after reading in the pages on it I had a reverse flush done and that did the trick. For mine anyway

5 people found this helpful.
50

acturator is the heat problem if no heat on passenger side its the acturator lower left under glove box

5 people found this helpful.
20

No heat on passenger side or rear vents. Could it be the Actuator. If so which one

2 people found this helpful.
10

When youenpassenger heat goes out, it’s lilely a plugged core, I have had the issue multiple times. Here is what was found to be the issue. Journey and similar cars use a ver specific coolant. it’s HOAT type, Hybrid Organic Acid Technolgy, if mixed with other types Ie. OAT or IAT, it will coagulate and plug your core. I ended up installing an online filter in the engine compartment at the core inlet. Now when the heat goes out, I just clean the filter. I have cleaned it twice and hopefully with the correct coolant the sludge will clear up. Zerex brand is Z 05

1 people found this helpful.
10

I cant explain why only the passenger side goes out, has something to do with how the passages in the core are routed. but if passenger heat goes out, your core is plugged.

I have a 2011 Dodge Journey and I find when I press the lock button on my key fob something happens to my vehicle. One time it blew hot air on one side and cold air on the other side. I know that the key fob can roll my windows down if I hit the unlock and lock button a few times. Why doesn't a manual come with the key fob telling you if hit the unlock button six times this will turn off your heat. etc etc...

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