Dual zone AC controller
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Friendswood TX
Dual zone AC controller
I bought a 97 a year ago. This is my 3rd C5. My first one was new so buying a poorly neglected one hurts, but the price was right. I bought a refurbished AC controller because I didnt want to mess with soldering in new lights. $300 later and more issues. It lights up fine but when trying to change temperature is just stays locked on 73 degrees. Which was the average temp in my shop this past weekend. Modes seem to work. I bought the controller a year age so there is no returning it. A year later I'm finally starting repairs. Its been sitting in my shop all this time under a cover. It has many issues but one at a time. The other thing is, when I try to change the temp the light dims a lot. It will brighten back up after about 5 seconds. AC does not work but I'm able to trigger the compressor using HP tuners. I assume there is a leak somewhere but I doubt its causing the other issue.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 324
From: Mid Ohio
if the light is dimming either there is too much power being drawn or it has inadequate ground. (could be internal to the controller too)
IMO... check grounding for corrosion
(I'm guessing of coarse)
IMO... check grounding for corrosion
(I'm guessing of coarse)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Friendswood TX
My first thought was grounding, too. Still worth looking into. From what I found with further searching, the unit is fried and can't be repaired. I have the old one so I'm going to swap out some boards to see if it makes any difference. I saw some used ones on Ebay for $600 plus. WTH is wrong with people? These cars are not holding value as a whole. Buy a driver for 10K and part it out for 20K. Just sad.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Friendswood TX
There are two boards inside this unit. The old one has not worked since I bought the car. Hell, Ive never even driven it. I drove it in the trailer if that counts. Started throwing parts at it a year ago and most were still in their boxes until last weekend. I thought the blower motor was bad and possibly the controller was causing the issue, so I bought another one. Year later it finally goes in. Fan still did not work with the new one and after some digging it was just unplugged. Already had the dash back together when I found the problem so I don't know if the old is actually bad, besides there being no display. The one I bought had the resistors resoldered and the seller just assumed it was good. He sold a junk unit and I was the idiot who bought it. Im going to swap that board out tonight and see how it goes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
There are two boards inside this unit. The old one has not worked since I bought the car. Hell, I've never even driven it... ...so I don't know if the old is actually bad, besides there being no display... ...The one I bought had the resistors resoldered and the seller just assumed it was good. He sold a junk unit and I was the idiot who bought it. I'm going to swap that board out tonight and see how it goes.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Friendswood TX
I would suggest reinstalling the old one to test it before trying to swap boards between A/C controllers. That would at least give you a much needed solid starting point to conduct a troubleshooting process. Otherwise you would never be sure of anything and your efforts would continue to result in blindly throwing parts at it.
Another little tidbit I just learned... 97 models have a different part number than later models. 98 and 99 had a different part number. 00 thru 04 had a different part number. Pretty sure there are very few 97 controller for sale and the part is no longer available. Anyone have any idea if these three are compatible? Gonna assume not.
97 #19329963
98-99 #19329965
00-04 #19329964
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
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From: Friendswood TX
I'll look tonight when I get home. So many listings on ebay for random parts that just lump 97-04 together. There are parts on a 97 that are different from the rest. I might have better luck restoring an 83.