2016 Ford Focus - Heater Control Valve

What is a Heater Control Valve?

A heater control valve allows coolant to flow through your heater core, which generates the warm air in your cabin when your heater is turned on. The heater control valve is usually located in front of the firewall of your vehicle, and may be controlled by either vacuum pressure or an electrical signal based on the settings of the heat and A/C controls inside the vehicle. When the heater is activated, the heater control valve opens to allow warm coolant from the engine to circulate to the heater core. Heater control valves are in constant contact with coolant and can suffer wear or damage over time that prevents them from opening or closing as needed. When a heater control valve fails, it may not open, or may only open when the vehicle is idling, which can cause the heater to stop working. If the heater valve sticks open, your vehicle's heater may operate all the time, causing high temperatures in the cabin. It's also possible to experience a coolant leak if the valve is bad, so ensure you inspect the heater valve if you've noticed any of these symptoms. When you need to service or replace your heater control valve, O'Reilly Auto Parts carries heater valves, as well as heater cores and hose connectors, for a complete repair.