HELP! Obscure HVAC issues

[jsullly]

2014 Equinox, 2.4 FWD. I had replaced the: thermostat, radiator, coolant (obviously), purged the air & the climate control module behind the radio/climate controls, the blower motor resistor, and the blend door actuator. SOMEHOW, I'm still unable to get heat inside the cabin & at running temperature the heater core hoses are sitting pretty hot as I can't grab onto them for more than a second, they're hot to the touch. I'm not leaking coolant & using DEXCOOL only. Its 22 degrees in Detroit currently & am struggling to find the solution to this, can anyone either relate or point me towards a potential solution? (I've got the manual HVAC controls/system not the automatic)

 

[RIT333]

It is possible to have a brand new thermostat be faulty. Can you see the temperature gauge change as the thermostat opens ?

 

[jsullly]

This is true.I'm going attempt to swap it out again; I noticed that even after being on for hours, my temp stays at the 7 o'clock position, never fully reaching the half way mark. I've been checking the differences in temp/pressures between the upper and lower rad hoses by feel & if the lower hose gets gradually warm that means the thermostat opened?