C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

C5 Climate Control dim/dark display fix

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 7, 2016 | 07:28 PM
  #581  
touring2's Avatar
touring2
Advanced
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 5
Default HVAC display fixed. thank you!!

Passing on my thanks as well. been dodging this fix for years, since about 2006, LOL! and didn't realize how simple it was. Esp w pics w captions from brookins.us. don't see his link here, but many thanks to him as well. Finally!!!

MUCH thanks to everyone that did the legwork everywhere to get all this great info out there, I hope this makes it easier to find and read through all the various steps![/QUOTE]
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2016 | 07:39 PM
  #582  
touring2's Avatar
touring2
Advanced
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 5
Default

Agree w Sansbup, re let them cool. however, I totally dislodged one, used a wick to remove excess solder(Amateur!!!) an dpopped it right back. Camarohoss is boss at a record 20 minutes. took me a couple hrs, but totally worth it. Esp thanks to Brookins, here: http://www.brookins.us/accontroller/dimacdisplay.html for picturs and text for the simple minded. Tremendous help!
Bob, 01 Z06
HPDE instructor, Pacific Northwest
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2016 | 10:31 AM
  #583  
Chris Murphy's Avatar
Chris Murphy
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 3
Default

Hi, new owner, new to the forum.
Reading about this HVAC light dim, I removed mine, and upon looking at it, im wondering if its possible to not be able to see anything with the naked eye, but still have a problem.
Heres a couple pics of my board.


Reply
Old Dec 9, 2016 | 11:57 AM
  #584  
ruxvette's Avatar
ruxvette
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 5,364
From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
Default

Mine looked good, too. When I started to resolder I found a couple loose ones.
Use a soldering iron with a fine tip.

Last edited by ruxvette; Dec 9, 2016 at 01:16 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2016 | 12:39 PM
  #585  
Chris Murphy's Avatar
Chris Murphy
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 3
Default

Radio Shack, at least the one near me, no longer carries the Cold Heat soldering guns.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2016 | 09:30 PM
  #586  
mike2c5's Avatar
mike2c5
4th Gear
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

Don't let the appearance fool you. When I fixed this problem on my 98,
the board looked fine. I tried to move the chips to see if any felt loose, but none of them did. I then used a low wattage soldering pencil to touch up the solder. When I touched the pencil to one chip it went flying. Make sure you work where you won't loose a chip if it comes off. When it was off I could see why we all get this problem. The pad pattern for these chips is to small for the chips installed. The pads should have extended farther out from the chips or smaller chips with the proper electrical properties should have been used. Touching up the solder does fix the problem. I did this repair over a year ago and it is still working fine.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2016 | 12:23 PM
  #587  
huesmann's Avatar
huesmann
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 57
From: Kensington MD
Default

Originally Posted by Chris Murphy
Radio Shack, at least the one near me, no longer carries the Cold Heat soldering guns.
Got Prime?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2017 | 08:48 AM
  #588  
Hiram's Avatar
Hiram
Intermediate
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
Default

Great info I simply followed the instructions in you post. Isoldered all 6 resisters, plug it back in and everything works great the display went from showing nothing to vary bright.
Thanks
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 28, 2017 | 12:32 PM
  #589  
Capt Mike's Avatar
Capt Mike
Racer
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 499
Likes: 63
From: Arkansas
Default

Re-soldered mine, took only a few minutes.

I already have the Dashboard removed, repairing the HUD

Thanks all !!
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2017 | 12:07 AM
  #590  
gpruitt54's Avatar
gpruitt54
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 233
From: Chicago Illinois
Default

This is a timely thread. I replaced the head unit in my car. After reinstalling everything, I discovered the lights in the VAC control unit are all not working. Before doing the head unit installation, the VAC module lights worked fine. Heat and AC works, the temp display works, only the lights are out.

Did I plug the Molex connector wrong or what???
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2017 | 11:02 AM
  #591  
Capt Mike's Avatar
Capt Mike
Racer
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 499
Likes: 63
From: Arkansas
Default

Originally Posted by gpruitt54
This is a timely thread. I replaced the head unit in my car. After reinstalling everything, I discovered the lights in the VAC control unit are all not working. Before doing the head unit installation, the VAC module lights worked fine. Heat and AC works, the temp display works, only the lights are out.

Did I plug the Molex connector wrong or what???
I would hazard a guess the the dimming of the "**** lamps"
are a single wire input, prob from the BCM.


You might have damaged or pushed out a pin in the connector, or not inserted the connector fully.. The're polarized connectors and near to impossible to insert 180 out. You could have broken a wire to the connector, but that would be unlikely.

Only one way to find out, or just to do without the lamps..

Michael..
Reply
Old May 2, 2017 | 08:10 PM
  #592  
LDOVET's Avatar
LDOVET
Cruising
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Poquoson VA
Default

I had to take apart my shifter assembly after my 2003 Anniversary edition was stuck in drive, got it fixed (another story). Same panels removed for that repair so I decided to tackle this one. I have been meaning to resolder the 241 resistors and had it done in my microminiature repair shop. WORKED GREAT. Here's my lesson learned. I was SO happy the display lit, I didn't check all of the climate control functions before putting the facia plate, center console and waterfall back in place. Fired it up and the screen shows "set" and continually cycles between all modes (vent, floor, defrost, etc) and you can hear the compressor cycling. When I removed the components as described above, the rubber shroud between the other circuit board was loose BUT, I ensured (so I thought), that it was seated, and checked all of the buttons to ensure they "clicked" before reinstalling. Now that will take it all apart again tomorrow to get it right but I want to ensure others don't suffer the "hey, my display is bright, slap it back together" that I did.
Reply
Old May 2, 2017 | 08:30 PM
  #593  
Chris Murphy's Avatar
Chris Murphy
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 3
Default

I noticed when I did mine that the previous owner had installed a liberal amount of Coke (maybe Pepsi) all over the buttons, and in behind as well. I used an old toothbrush and some solvent to scrub each and every button and the casing. I went from having a dim light, and the AC randomly turning on, and adjusting itself, to a working HVAC unit. That sounds like your problem, is sticky buttons
Reply
Old May 3, 2017 | 04:32 PM
  #594  
LDOVET's Avatar
LDOVET
Cruising
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Poquoson VA
Default

After doing this repair, the light is bright again, great. BUT, when I reinstalled and buttoned it up, it looks to me that all of the modes are cycling and it says "SET" in the upper right corner of the display. I found something on line about removing a fuse on the passenger side for over 60 seconds which "resets" the HVAC. Anybody try this or have details? I thought the buttons were just "sticky" but none of them seem to "hold" the function selected and it defaults to this cycling between modes and an audible clicking from the engine compartment as it cycles through the modes. Thanks.
Reply
Old May 3, 2017 | 04:52 PM
  #595  
FX VETTE's Avatar
FX VETTE
Team Owner
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 25,303
Likes: 1,683
From: The Steel City, Colorful Colorado
Winner 2020 C7 of the Year - Modified
Default

I have a 2003 AE also and have swapped out the HVAC lights to LEDs and re-soldered the resistors myself. When I plugged it back in and re-assembled the bezel and console, everything worked just fine. My HVAC didn't have "SET", it just went straight to work as usual.

Waiting to see how your issue plays out, good luck
Reply
Old May 3, 2017 | 05:37 PM
  #596  
Carl Timonen's Avatar
Carl Timonen
Racer
Veteran: Air Force
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 380
Likes: 67
From: Kelso Wa.
Default

Sorry for the high jack, but has anyone ever had the temp **** only move one degree at a time? Mine just started this. I have to wait for the display to show oat before I can move the temp one degree, repeat until I reach my desired temp. Can this be fixed?
Reply
Old May 3, 2017 | 08:58 PM
  #597  
Capt Mike's Avatar
Capt Mike
Racer
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 499
Likes: 63
From: Arkansas
Default

Originally Posted by Carl Timonen
Sorry for the high jack, but has anyone ever had the temp **** only move one degree at a time? Mine just started this. I have to wait for the display to show oat before I can move the temp one degree, repeat until I reach my desired temp. Can this be fixed?
Carl,

RE the One degree prob. Yes I have a friend that owned a C5 with this issue, very odd. This drove him Nuts.

I gave him few links re "Cleaning the Grounds". Solved His problem. Do note that that He did disconnect the battery when he was cleaning rounds.He also coated all ground wires with electrical gel.

It was obvious that the P.O. power washed the engine bay.

Good Luck,

Michael...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C5 Climate Control dim/dark display fix

Old May 3, 2017 | 08:59 PM
  #598  
LDOVET's Avatar
LDOVET
Cruising
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Poquoson VA
Default

Originally Posted by AE Guy
I have a 2003 AE also and have swapped out the HVAC lights to LEDs and re-soldered the resistors myself. When I plugged it back in and re-assembled the bezel and console, everything worked just fine. My HVAC didn't have "SET", it just went straight to work as usual.

Waiting to see how your issue plays out, good luck
FIXED IT !!!!! Took it back apart and I believe the molded rubber that shrouds the switches/lights in one side and "receive" the buttons on the other was not seated/aligned properly. Put it back together and optested, this time BEFORE putting it back together. That's the good news. The bad? Took her for a spin, I had repaired the shifter linkage earlier this week by replacing the bushing that was brittle and broke. Pulling out, had it in 1st gear because I wanted to cycle through all the gears and it stuck in 1st gear so I had to pull into a parking lot where it will be towed from tomorrow. I hope it is just the rear linkage but I did hear a snap when I was cleaning out the remnants of the old bushing. I drove it for a few days no problem, Drive, Park and Reverse were fine so hopefully it's not a new linkage which I hear means dropping the exhaust, tunnel, etc. Ah well, saved some good coin on the Climate Control at least :-)
Reply
Old May 4, 2017 | 09:55 AM
  #599  
FX VETTE's Avatar
FX VETTE
Team Owner
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 25,303
Likes: 1,683
From: The Steel City, Colorful Colorado
Winner 2020 C7 of the Year - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by mike2c5
I tried to move the chips to see if any felt loose, but none of them did. I then used a low wattage soldering pencil to touch up the solder. When I touched the pencil to one chip it went flying. Make sure you work where you won't loose a chip if it comes off.
You can get some small clamps from Harbor Freight for a buck or so, then use them to hold the resistors down while you work on each side.



Reply
Old Jul 10, 2017 | 03:47 PM
  #600  
Best C5's Avatar
Best C5
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
Default

Fixed mine this weekend in my "New To Me" 04 Z06 CE. Thanks for the how to!
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:20 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE