C5 Climate Control dim/dark display fix
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Naperville IL
I have the same HVAC control module circuit board that you posted. I have it in front of me, but can see nothing wrong with any of the connections. The 241 resisters in the center of the board all appear to be properly soldered. You really can't even see a solder connection on them, they're almost flush to the board. Can you normally see a broken soldered connection? None appear loose.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
Nope you cant see the bad connections. Mine all looked good until I started soldering them and they would fall off the board. I noticed on mine most the bottom solders were the bad ones. So I soldered bottom first then top..... It works like new now. Hit them all and youll be good to go .......... Rick
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Verdad Gallardo
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
If it were me Id take the cold heat tool back and get the 15 watt grounded iron. It has a very fine tip and is very simple to use. When I did mine i had magnifying glass in one hand and soldering iron in other hand. Ive had some soldering exp. but with nothing this small and didnt have any problems at all. Just take your time and go slow.......
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Although not the hardest of soldering jobs by any means I have to echo Lucky's advice. If you've NEVER soldered before now is not the time to start... give your buddy a call to assist you! 
A 15 watt iron is a good choice for this job if you don't have access to a dedicated SMT rework gun...
Tim
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If it were me Id take the cold heat tool back and get the 15 watt grounded iron. It has a very fine tip and is very simple to use. When I did mine i had magnifying glass in one hand and soldering iron in other hand. Ive had some soldering exp. but with nothing this small and didnt have any problems at all. Just take your time and go slow.......
I replaced the stock Orange LEDs in the Driver's door switch with Red ones, that's a 3mm and a 5mm next to it... Now THAT was a PITA!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Naperville IL
Just wanted to report back. I ended up returning the cold heat soldering tool, and bought a 15A grounded soldering tool. worked perfect. One of you suggested using a toothpick to hold the resisters in place while applying the solder. That worked great. Everything is back together and the display works like new.
My biggest challenge ended up being reconnecting the fuel door electric switch. The pigtail was too short to reconnect as instructed, so I ended up removing the switch from the console first, plugging the connector into the switch, reinstalling the console, then reaching under the console and snapping the switch back into the console.
Thanks for all the help!
My biggest challenge ended up being reconnecting the fuel door electric switch. The pigtail was too short to reconnect as instructed, so I ended up removing the switch from the console first, plugging the connector into the switch, reinstalling the console, then reaching under the console and snapping the switch back into the console.
Thanks for all the help!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Westport CT
I placed the solder parallel to the "241"'s to get it to stick. It didn't take much and my display is back to new.
I hope it stays that way.
