Intermittent AC Operation
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Intermittent AC Operation
Let me know if anyone knows what is wrong with the AC on my '97 coupe with climate control.
About 40% of the time I start the car, the AC display and AC functions are completely dead. Sometimes I can turn off and restart the car to restore normal operation, but other times that doesn't work. There are also times that the dead AC returns to operation on its own after I've driven around for a few minutes. Likewise, the AC sometimes goes dormant on its own after it has been running.
I checked with a couple of the online control unit rebuilders, and they both said that they couldn't help. One said he thought it might have something to do with the ignition switch. My shop manual offers no insight.
It's pretty hot where I live, and this is driving me crazy. Please help.
About 40% of the time I start the car, the AC display and AC functions are completely dead. Sometimes I can turn off and restart the car to restore normal operation, but other times that doesn't work. There are also times that the dead AC returns to operation on its own after I've driven around for a few minutes. Likewise, the AC sometimes goes dormant on its own after it has been running.
I checked with a couple of the online control unit rebuilders, and they both said that they couldn't help. One said he thought it might have something to do with the ignition switch. My shop manual offers no insight.
It's pretty hot where I live, and this is driving me crazy. Please help.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Did you check with David Ruberg? digitalguy_1@charter.net.
I believe he lists a problem like yours that he can fix.... although the intermittent nature might be the difference.
I believe he lists a problem like yours that he can fix.... although the intermittent nature might be the difference.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
He was one of the two that I tried earlier. He told me to get a used one from a bone yard because his fix wouldn't work for me. Carl Cowles was the other one I tried who said that it seemed like an ignition switch problem.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge VA
Originally Posted by lt4-racer
He was one of the two that I tried earlier. He told me to get a used one from a bone yard because his fix wouldn't work for me. Carl Cowles was the other one I tried who said that it seemed like an ignition switch problem.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1167013
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1154441
If you replace it yourself, it's not hard. It took me a couple hours and I went slow. You just remove a couple console panels and access the switch from the bottom.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Wow! That's exactly the kind of info I hoped for. I tried the back up lights on my car, and they do go out along with the AC. I'll order an ignition switch right away (Autozone has one for $27). Thanks!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge VA
Originally Posted by lt4-racer
Wow! That's exactly the kind of info I hoped for. I tried the back up lights on my car, and they do go out along with the AC. I'll order an ignition switch right away (Autozone has one for $27). Thanks!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
In general, if you are not trouble coding for faulty temperature actuators, and, your AC vacuum hoses are also intact (i.e., leaky o.e. batteries have been known to eat throught the AC hoses that lie below and aft of the o.e. battery in the C5 Corvette engine compartment, and, will consequently throw B0361 HVAC trouble codes, as well), "intermittant AC function" is usually symptomatic of a faulty ignition switch as stated above. Please let us know how everything turns out for you.
Best Wishes,
Eden
Best Wishes,
Eden
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge VA
Originally Posted by lt4-racer
Wow! That's exactly the kind of info I hoped for. I tried the back up lights on my car, and they do go out along with the AC. I'll order an ignition switch right away (Autozone has one for $27). Thanks!!
Any luck yet??
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