Thanks for the info.
Electronic Climate Control Display FIX
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Electronic Climate Control Display FIX
From time to time my display would go dark, dim or not come on at all. I think there are other members that are shelling out BIG bucks for a replacement. Well I just fixed mine in about an hour. The hardest part was removing the console plastic. What a pain in the A$$....
The problem is cold solder joints on the circut board, not the display like some assume. It is rare but the displays do go bad but in most cases hitting the resistors on the display circut board fixes the issue. Not being an electronic genius i decided to just tap each resistor, both sides of the resistor, with a hot 15W pointed tip iron.
I had the same problem with a Jeep Grand Cherokee limited radio display and found the fix on the web. I just applied the same technique and senario to the Climate Control, and Viola.....
Good luck, hope this helps and happy fixing
For a reasonable charge of 25 bucks plus shipping I can fix and test the faint hearted.... 
The problem is cold solder joints on the circut board, not the display like some assume. It is rare but the displays do go bad but in most cases hitting the resistors on the display circut board fixes the issue. Not being an electronic genius i decided to just tap each resistor, both sides of the resistor, with a hot 15W pointed tip iron.
I had the same problem with a Jeep Grand Cherokee limited radio display and found the fix on the web. I just applied the same technique and senario to the Climate Control, and Viola.....
Good luck, hope this helps and happy fixing
For a reasonable charge of 25 bucks plus shipping I can fix and test the faint hearted....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 1
From: San Bruno Ca
I am having a problem with my display as being extremely faint. The display glass inside the unit with the digital numbers seems to be burnt looking on one corner, did yours appear that way?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 1
From: San Bruno Ca
Originally Posted by 98Z51
I had the same issues with mine, after a few minutes fixing some cold solder joints it was working like new.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 447
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
What, you’re a welder by trade, aren't you? 
Basically it's a solder joint were the solder was not completely melted, thus giving it a "dull" surface / lack of "penetration" of the surrounding metal components, whereas a good joint is nice and shiny.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...196&forum_id=1
Basically it's a solder joint were the solder was not completely melted, thus giving it a "dull" surface / lack of "penetration" of the surrounding metal components, whereas a good joint is nice and shiny.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...196&forum_id=1
Last edited by Dan_the_C5_Man; Jul 7, 2005 at 01:58 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,019
Likes: 17
I sent mine to a guy in Boston, and he did the fix for $40. He gave a 1 year warranty on the work too. He does these all the time, and it's my impression that he actually replaces the VFD and the LED's. Works great now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 447
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Again, my research indicated it's not the display components.. And that makes sense. I doubt he's installing new displays (that are vendor specific, i.e. must be sourced from GM or GM's suppliers) for 40 bucks. More likely he's refreshing the soldering joints as stated above, or replacing a component or two (probably less than 5 bucks in parts) in the AC power supply section.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If anybody has a defective one, I will attempt a repair. Never done one before buy I will give it a try and all it will cost you is the price of shipping!
BC
BC
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Originally Posted by 98Z51
I had the same issues with mine, after a few minutes fixing some cold solder joints it was working like new.
In fact cold solder joints are a major cause of lots of circuit board failures.. With ALL my electronics... If there is any flaky behavior.. I re-flow all the points.. Kinda fun.. Especially when it wakes up a dead item..
I just fixed a BRAND NEW back massager.. worked for one day then cut out intermittantly.. Then stopped..
too much hassle to return.. I just opened it up and started hitting every joint with the soldering iron.. Bam... Fixed!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
TTT... OK I need help on this one, Im pretty electronics and circuit board saavy but which part has a tendency to have the cold solder joint? I poked around today on both sides if the display itself's contacts as well as some of the resisters on the "back board". No luck, my display is dim still and the fan indicator is 1/2 dead. Help!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge VA
TTT, my display will delay coming on after I start my car. Sometimes it will not come of for 30 sec. sometimes it will take a couple minutes before it comes on.
Any pictures of what to look for?
Any pictures of what to look for?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by Scubanme
I am having a problem with my display as being extremely faint. The display glass inside the unit with the digital numbers seems to be burnt looking on one corner, did yours appear that way?
Thanks
Thanks
the burnt look in one corner is a product of how the vaccume tube display is made. it's normal, they all look that way.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona
Originally Posted by 98Z51
I had the same issues with mine, after a few minutes fixing some cold solder joints it was working like new.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by 2000BSME
I sent mine to a guy in Boston, and he did the fix for $40. He gave a 1 year warranty on the work too. He does these all the time, and it's my impression that he actually replaces the VFD and the LED's. Works great now.
Website, link?