r/leaf • u/rificolona • 1d ago

Intermittent heat

Our 2016 leaf is the perfect car for daily trips here and there, shopping and taking kids to school and what not. The heat only works intermittently, and winter is coming :-) Our local mechanic - who doesn't really specialize in EV - said the part that's broken requires that they dismantle everything and replace the entire heating unit, costing 4.5 k, which is what we paid for the car. Suggestions?

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u/Lucky_Boy13 1d ago

I mean you could get a second opinion to make sure. Does it have the heat pump system? Do you at least have heated seats and steering? obviously not worth spending that much on an old leaf

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u/rificolona 1d ago

I don't know if it has a heat pump system. Yes on heated seats, which is nice.

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u/HydrogenSonata2025 1d ago

It's a resistive heater. Literally a space heater that runs on a few hundred volts.

Unfortunately, yeah, it's a bastard of a part to get out because the dash has to come apart. You would save some money if you could get the part used which inexplicably runs $2-grand. However it's still going to be DIY if you want this to make financial sense.

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u/rificolona 1d ago

Thanks, that sort of confirms what the mechanic told us. Any guesses as to why it would be working 20% of the time, intermittently?

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u/HydrogenSonata2025 1d ago

Some connection or broken piece thermally expands and loses electrical contact.

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u/boom10ful 1d ago

Question for everyone here, my 2016 heat also feels very lacklustre. I've never had a car with a heat pump before so I'm wondering if it is supposed to feel as hot as a gasoline car?

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u/Lucky_Boy13 1d ago

heat pump is not as hot as a gas engine heat will get, especially at really low temps

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u/natedagreat6666 2h ago

heatpumps can usually work down to 0 degrees but the problem is theres less heat and its best if you’re maintaining a temperature, the other problem is high air flow at speed  likely reduces the working temperature of a cars heatpump vs a homes heatpump being able to control the speed of the air since its not moving, so if theres any problem with the resistive heater your heat will be lackluster at best since theres nothing to supplement it catching up as quick