I can take the lower dash panel off and touch the heater core. It isn't even warm. I replaced the heater control valve a while back, so that can't be the problem. It's almost as though coolant never reaches the heater core. It's winter and not having heat sucks.. the core is only about a year old btw, and has never really worked right since I've had it. any help is much appreciated

 

Feel the inlet hose to the heater core and see if they are hot anywhere. if there not hot then you narrowed the problem down to something before the hose. Good luck

 

Check to see if your thermostat is stuck open, if the coolant never warms up, you won't have heat

 

You may have air bubble(s) trapped in the coolant lines, possibly when you replaced the HCV. I believe I just took the hoses off the back of heater core to get them out. Someone might be able to back me up on this.

 

Yeh. My bet is the therm. is stuck open

 

If you are low on coolant it will never get to the heater core. make sure it is good and full

 

whats the normal operating temp of your car according to your guage?