Climate Control Awry - Tech Help Needed!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 98
From: Jacksonville FL
Climate Control Awry - Tech Help Needed!
Hey, all you tech guys!
I've been having a problem that the dealer's been unable to fix (2 attempts).
The automatic climate control isn't working. The outside temperature misreads and then the AC won't blow cold air accordingly.
At first, it was blamed on "trash" and debris built up in front of the condenser. However, after cleaning this stuff out, the problem was not solved.
Next, it was blamed on a leaky battery. Yet, after switching to an Optima Redtop, the problem remains.
I've pinpointed what happens. When at idle, i.e. in traffic or at a light, the outside temp. readings drops into the 40's (now, I know Hell hasn't frozen over yet). Then, when traffic picks up, and I'm cruising at highway speeds, the reading corrects itself back into the 80-90's.
What gives? Any ideas?
Any tech help is greatly appreciated in advance. Thanks.
I've been having a problem that the dealer's been unable to fix (2 attempts).
The automatic climate control isn't working. The outside temperature misreads and then the AC won't blow cold air accordingly.
At first, it was blamed on "trash" and debris built up in front of the condenser. However, after cleaning this stuff out, the problem was not solved.
Next, it was blamed on a leaky battery. Yet, after switching to an Optima Redtop, the problem remains.
I've pinpointed what happens. When at idle, i.e. in traffic or at a light, the outside temp. readings drops into the 40's (now, I know Hell hasn't frozen over yet). Then, when traffic picks up, and I'm cruising at highway speeds, the reading corrects itself back into the 80-90's.
What gives? Any ideas?
Any tech help is greatly appreciated in advance. Thanks.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 21
From: FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Climate Control Awry - Tech Help Needed! (99HRDTP)
The A/C on the C-5 is smart enough in that if the outside temp is below 45,the A/C will not command on...Faulty outside temp sensors are common,along with water intrusion into the connector causing corrosion on the sensor terminals...Check it out,the sensor is located on the right side of the radiator/condensor shroud,above the right air dam...You will see the sensor probe protruding through the shroud...
Good luck...
Good luck...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Hampton Roads
Re: Climate Control Awry - Tech Help Needed! (C-5 TECH)
Mines been starting to have the same problems.. It started after I installed the LS-6 intake. Sometimes I look down and my temp reading is way down. When I turn the A/C or heat on it will not blow in the direction desired. It blows thru all the vents..
Is this also caused by the sensor..?
X
Is this also caused by the sensor..?
X
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 98
From: Jacksonville FL
Re: Climate Control Awry - Tech Help Needed! (C-5 TECH)
C-5 Tech-
Thanks. I'll bring up the temp sensor issue with my service guy. Do the symptoms and fluctuating up and down with stop and go traffic make sense? I would think that the opposite would be true - that the temp would read higher when stopped. Mine reads lower when stopped. :confused:
Thanks.
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Mike
Thanks. I'll bring up the temp sensor issue with my service guy. Do the symptoms and fluctuating up and down with stop and go traffic make sense? I would think that the opposite would be true - that the temp would read higher when stopped. Mine reads lower when stopped. :confused:
Thanks.
-----------------
Mike
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Re: Climate Control Awry - Tech Help Needed! (99HRDTP)
Just a thought. You mentioned that you had a leaky battery, and the BCM is located just below the battery. Sporatic problems have been reported before when battery acid had damaged the BCM or related wiring. It wouldn't hurt to have them check if acid had leaked down. That would explain the randomness.
To quickly diagnose the external temp sensor, reach down below the passenger headlight and disconnect it. You should be able to reach it. Once disconnected, the A/C is supposed to default to an external temp of 56 or 57F and allow the unit to operate reasonably well until the sensor or open circuit is repaired. If your reading is still screwy after disconnecting it, the problem is not in the sensor.
Good Luck.
To quickly diagnose the external temp sensor, reach down below the passenger headlight and disconnect it. You should be able to reach it. Once disconnected, the A/C is supposed to default to an external temp of 56 or 57F and allow the unit to operate reasonably well until the sensor or open circuit is repaired. If your reading is still screwy after disconnecting it, the problem is not in the sensor.
Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 98
From: Jacksonville FL
Re: Climate Control Awry - Tech Help Needed! (JC in XTC5)
JC-
Thanks. Yes, I had a leaky battery per my service man. They cleaned whatever acid might have leaked, I replaced the battery, and I still have the problem. They can't reproduce the problem, but I think it's because it only becomes evident after the car has been running for 20 minutes or so. Regardless, I'll check both the sensor and the BCM.
Thanks again.
Thanks. Yes, I had a leaky battery per my service man. They cleaned whatever acid might have leaked, I replaced the battery, and I still have the problem. They can't reproduce the problem, but I think it's because it only becomes evident after the car has been running for 20 minutes or so. Regardless, I'll check both the sensor and the BCM.
Thanks again.
