How to Remove a Heater Core on a 1996 Chevy Corsica
by Chris Moore
If your car's heating system is not working, you may need to remove the heater core to either flush or replace it. The heater core on the 1996 Corsica is mounted in its case under the floor of the car, so you won't need to disconnect the entire instrument panel as in other vehicles. You will need to take numerous precautions first since you are working near the air bag system and are dealing with a component that uses the engine coolant.
Precautions
Step 1
Disconnect the car's negative battery cable with the front wheels pointing straight ahead.
Step 2
Remove the air bag's fuse from the fuse block--it should be the number three fuse.
Step 3
Unscrew and remove filler panel under the steering column and both the left and right sound insulators with a wrench.
Step 4
Disconnect the retaining clip on the air bag/SIR connector and then disconnect the connector.
Step 5
Open the radiator cap to relieve pressure in the cooling system--the car must be cool. Place a catch pan or other container under the radiator at its drain valve and remove the valve to drain the coolant. Drain the remaining coolant at the engine block plugs.
Removal
Step 1
Raise the car's rear end and secure it on jack stands.
Step 2
Disconnect the drain tube from the heater case and the heater hoses from the core, loosening their clamps with pliers where needed.
Step 3
Lower the car off the jack stands.
Step 4
Remove the floor air outlet duct to access the heater core case.
Step 5
Unscrew and remove the heater core cover. Unfasten the mounting clamps for the core and remove the core from the casing.
References
- "Chilton General Motors Corsica/Beretta Repair Manual"; Christine Nuckowski; W.G. Nichols; 1996
Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- Large container
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
Writer Bio
Chris Moore has been contributing to eHow since 2007 and is a member of the DFW Writers' Workshop. He received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Texas-Arlington.
