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1996: Electronic Climate Control problems

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Old Sep 16, 2003 | 11:58 PM
  #1  
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Default 1996: Electronic Climate Control problems

Occassionally the electronic climate control in my 1996 will act up.

Usually there are two failures, which always occur together:
1. If it is Off, I can not turn it to Auto (and via versa)
2. It will allow me to turn the temperature setting up (higher temp), but not down

If I just wait, and don't touch it for a while..It'll work later.


I have a number of theories on what it could be:
1. MNWhite knew someone with similar problems and indicated it was related to the connector to the unit wiggling loose
2. I have read in other threads there were problems with cold solder joints on the unit
3. The entire unit needs to be replaced
4. It is buggy equipment, just live with it :lol:

As winter approaches, and I think about diving into this task, I have two questions:
1. Anyone else had similar symptoms with any suggestions?
2. How hard is it to take apart a 1996 dash? Every dash I have ever done is never the same when you put it back together. :lolg:
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 01:19 AM
  #2  
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Default Re: 1996: Electronic Climate Control problems (Sting1978)

A day or two ago someone posted about cleaning up some connections and all was well.

Search for this topic, you will probably find lots.
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 01:44 AM
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Default Re: 1996: Electronic Climate Control problems (Sting1978)

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=641759
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 06:50 AM
  #4  
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Default Re: 1996: Electronic Climate Control problems (Sting1978)

Yeah...mine does it...and so far I am living with it. Not a good enough reason to tear into the dash! :nono:
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 07:21 AM
  #5  
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Default Re: 1996: Electronic Climate Control problems (Sting1978)

Occassionally the electronic climate control in my 1996 will act up.

Usually there are two failures, which always occur together:
1. If it is Off, I can not turn it to Auto (and via versa)
2. It will allow me to turn the temperature setting up (higher temp), but not down

If I just wait, and don't touch it for a while..It'll work later.

That is what mine did. I read that someone just took apart the dash center control panel for the climate control and put it back together and it worked. That is what I did and works for me too. I guess pulling apart the coneectors and such "cleaned" the terminals. :confused:
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 07:57 AM
  #6  
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Default Re: 1996: Electronic Climate Control problems (LAvetteman)

Sorry for the :_dupe: ..

Glad I asked, sounds like I should go after the controller under driver side dash rather than the center stack. :cheers:
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 08:12 AM
  #7  
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Default Re: 1996: Electronic Climate Control problems (Sting1978)

Mine acts up every once in a while ever since I had the after market head unit installed.
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 08:42 AM
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Default Re: 1996: Electronic Climate Control problems (Sting1978)

Mine was acting exactly like what you describe. I took it apart and cleaned the contacts and it works perfectly. The contacts are part of a rubber membrane that sits between the front face and the circuit board. Alcohol works very well for cleaning the contacts, but I recommend that you stay away from rubbing alcohol - it got a little bit of oil in it (to make it rub better). Just wet the end of a Q-tip with alcohol and gently clean the contacts on the membrane and the board.





[Modified by sraft, 8:43 AM 9/17/2003]
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 08:46 AM
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Default Re: 1996: Electronic Climate Control problems (sraft)

Mine was acting exactly like what you describe. I took it apart and cleaned the contacts and it works perfectly. The contacts are part of a rubber membrane that sits between the front face and the circuit board. Alcohol works very well for cleaning the contacts, but I recommend that you stay away from rubbing alcohol - it got a little bit of oil in it (to make it rub better). Just wet the end of a Q-tip with alcohol and gently clean the contacts on the membrane and the board.

[Modified by sraft, 8:43 AM 9/17/2003]
Get thee to RadioShack and buy a can of electrical contact cleaner for electronic gear. Works great and won't deteriorate rubber or plastic parts! :thumbs:
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