Automatic Climate Controls
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Naperville IL
Automatic Climate Controls
I recently purchased a '94 ZR-1 with 27,000 miles on the clock. It is a great car and a pleasure to drive, but the automatic climate control has me baffled. At times it will do what I ask (switch modes and such), but sometimes it just ignores me. A couple days ago I could not get it to turn off. In fact the only mode it would go into was the "Auto" mode. The next morning it would turn off and go into auto, re-circulate and vent mode, but it would only let me set the temperature warmer in the re-circulate mode. In the auto mode I could only set the temperature colder. The manual fan settings work occasionally, but usually it is stuck in auto mode.
What gives? Is this an electrical or a computer problem or what? The thing seems to have a mind of its own and it's' not inclined to listen to me.
- Kevin
What gives? Is this an electrical or a computer problem or what? The thing seems to have a mind of its own and it's' not inclined to listen to me.
- Kevin
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,659
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: Automatic Climate Controls (kmckiou)
Some other people here will better tell you what you do. Mine does the same thing. A couple smacks on the dashboard side will get mine to work.
One cause is that it might be the electrical connector that connects the climate control cable to the circuit board. Apparently either the connector gets dirty (Can unplug, and clean with an eraser), or the solder where the connector is soldered into either the wiring harness (on the wiring end), or circuit board of the climate control (on the climate control box end) cracks.
This is easy to determine, after you clean the contacts with a pencil eraser. hook it up with the dash panel off, turn it on and see if it works. bump it a couple times to make sure it still works. If it doesn't then its likely that the solder cracked. The solder needs to be reflowed. Take the wiring harness, or climate control unit to an electrical repair shop and have them reflow the solder
Good luck I will keep the baord posted about my similar problem with the climate control
One cause is that it might be the electrical connector that connects the climate control cable to the circuit board. Apparently either the connector gets dirty (Can unplug, and clean with an eraser), or the solder where the connector is soldered into either the wiring harness (on the wiring end), or circuit board of the climate control (on the climate control box end) cracks.
This is easy to determine, after you clean the contacts with a pencil eraser. hook it up with the dash panel off, turn it on and see if it works. bump it a couple times to make sure it still works. If it doesn't then its likely that the solder cracked. The solder needs to be reflowed. Take the wiring harness, or climate control unit to an electrical repair shop and have them reflow the solder
Good luck I will keep the baord posted about my similar problem with the climate control
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 430
Likes: 1
From: Beavercreek OH
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Automatic Climate Controls (kmckiou)
Have had the same problem with both of mine. The LT-1's was replaced under GMPP years ago and the replacement head unit has not given me any problems. The one on my ZR-1 just started to act up. As I remember if I pressed all the buttons in order from left to right or right to left it would allow me to stop at the button I wanted and it would work. I'm going to try and see if the pencil eraser cleaning will work.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 2
From: Windermere FL
Re: Automatic Climate Controls (RangerZR-1)
Mine did that for about a year, 4 years ago. Then it started working correctly and has since. This is one of those cases where Scotland yard would say its,"Better left unsolved" for me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Naperville IL
Re: Automatic Climate Controls (dizwiz24)
> One cause is that it might be the electrical connector that connects the
> climate control cable to the circuit board.
This doesn't sound too bad. I take it that I need to pull the facia off the dash to get at this control board. Is there any trick to it?
- Kevin
> climate control cable to the circuit board.
This doesn't sound too bad. I take it that I need to pull the facia off the dash to get at this control board. Is there any trick to it?
- Kevin
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Naperville IL
Re: Automatic Climate Controls (dizwiz24)
My problem must be a dirty or somewhat loose connection. I gave the side of the dash a couple good whacks and the darned thing started working correctly!
Thanks for the help!
- Kevin
Thanks for the help!
- Kevin
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Re: Automatic Climate Controls (RangerZR-1)
I had intermitent problems too with my 88. I pulled the climit control box out . It is all electronic, no cables thank God. I too cleaned the connections on both the unit and plug, be sure to wipe with a electric cleaner (NAPA) before you reconnect. This fix worked for me. IF this fails the you need a new unit.
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