01 Grand Prix heat

[Bowtie01]

In my 01, when the heat has been on for a while, the heater control panel and radio get extremely hot. Are these cars prone to having the heater duct work come apart? Anyone experience similar issues?

[Chadgervais]

IMO if it is simply heat escaping the ductwork into the cavity where the radio/heat controls are its no big deal. Your heat cannot blow hotter than your engine is running (200 degrees +/- 20) and plastic can survive those temps without issue. However, it could be an electrical issue which could be potentially dangerous. I know youre in Alberta, but if at all possible, drive for a while with the heat off and the temperature knob turned all the way to cold and see what happens. Its important for the knob to be at cold because even with the fan off, it still blows pretty good if you are driving fast.

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Personally I think its the lack of air flow behind the dash/radio/hvac that causes it to get so hot.

I don't even think the radio has a fan inside it and just think of all the lights inside the radio/hvac, those all create heat too. I've run my hand across the dash at night before after a 100 mile drive up north and its plenty warm. I bet if I turned the dimmer down on the lights the heat would be reduced.