Heating & Starting Issues Options

[6GenCircleLghts]

So everyday it's been gettin' colder outside. And unless I'm driving my car for an hour at 85 mph, I have no heat. My temp gauge says it's always cold, not below the line, but like right above it, like a millimeter. But after driving for a while and I sit somewhere the gauge goes up to the middle and there is hot air and warms up inside the car fairly quickly. So I would like to know why is my car not producing heat while I am driving, and if there is anything I can do to fix it.

And another thing, my starter/solenoid went out so I replaced it. Worked fine up until like 3 weeks ago, when I go and try to start it, it doesn't start right up, but I don't have to try it more than once. I just turn the key and hold it for about 5 seconds and it starts, what could be the problem there?

This post has been edited by 6GenCircleLghts: Dec 9, 2008 - 4:55 AM

[azian_advanced]

after driving for at least 10 mins at 85 mph, you should at least have a good amount of heat from your heater. i'm guessing you have a sticky thermostat and it is getting stuck intermittently. i had a somewhat similar issue and replaced my thermostat. i also did a complete coolant flush and flushed out the heater core lines as well in case there was any deposit that is restricting coolant flow. i had a non-oem thermostat and i'm sure that was the problem so i went with all oem parts and everything is fine for me now.