# Acceleration = Heater

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/acceleration-heater/61364>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** intrepid, heating, dodge\
**Created:** [February 15, 2011, 7:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/acceleration-heater/61364 "2011-02-15T07:42:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Elloluv2005](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9f8e36/32.png) [@Elloluv2005](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Elloluv2005)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 7:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/acceleration-heater/61364/1 "2011-02-15T07:42:26Z")

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It takes a LONG time for my heater to warm up… to be expected of an old car. However, once my heater is warmed up enough, it blows cold air when I’m idling at a light or anything. Once I get back up to 35 MPH it goes right back up to its temperature. Then drops again when I stop.

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**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 10:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/acceleration-heater/61364/2 "2011-02-15T10:53:53Z")

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When was the last time you installed a new thermostat?

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 1:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/acceleration-heater/61364/3 "2011-02-15T13:05:31Z")

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Have you confirmed that the cooling system is full by checking the radiator (not the overflow reservoir) when the engine is cold?

Have you had your mechanic “burp” the cooling system to get rid of trapped air?

Your symptoms sound like one or both of the above situations is the root of your problem.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/acceleration-heater/61364/4 "2011-02-15T13:09:37Z")

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An old car should warm up just as quickly as it did when it was new.

Along with a new thermostat and a check for air in the cooling system, you may want to look for a vacuum leak in the HVAC system under the dashboard.

A malfunctioning vacuum controlled blend door (which regulates interior air temperature)could do exactly what you describe.