Stevo F Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Having issues with wanky climate control units. It started when I bought the '98 wagon 4 years ago. Early on I noticed that the air flow direction didn't change when any buttons were pushed so I replaced with a $30 Ebay unit (and a new set of bulbs and all was good). Fast forward to a couple weeks ago when i started up the '98 GT after sitting out on a cool dewy night. Went to put it on defrost and didn't change from the dash air vents until halfway home. Later, It did change back to the dash vents and again stayed there. I'm trying to figure out what is going bad on these things. In the meantime I got another Ebay unit for $35. The Ebay unit tested out OK. Since I have a spare now, I disassembled the old GT unit enough to spray it out good with electrical cleaner, put it back together and it worked like new. Put it all back together, tried it again a few hours later and stuck on the dash vents again. Next day tried it again and it worked!- next time it didn't. In the meantime, I checked the wagon, and it too wouldn't budge from the dash vents. Tried the new Ebay unit there and it worked in all 5 settings. I repeated the sprayout with electrical cleaner on that one and it made no difference. Then I pulled out the original that I pulled from the wagon 4 years ago. Stuck it in and everything now worked great. Cleaned it up and it works well for the most part (all settings work, but you may need to push the buttons a couple times at first). So why are these things so flaky? Are the electronics themselves dying after 20 years? Even if I have found another good one, how long will it:confused: last before it acts up? Anyone else having these issues and what was your solution? The upside is I can take these things apart and replace the bulbs blindfolded now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setnev Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Its the pins in the connector that the HVAC controls plug into. I have the exact same issue as you said. The only fix I've been able to find is to tape the wires upright so that it puts tension on them. So far so good. Sure beats beating on my HVAC controls to get them to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo F Posted October 19, 2017 Author Share Posted October 19, 2017 Its the pins in the connector that the HVAC controls plug into. I have the exact same issue as you said. The only fix I've been able to find is to tape the wires upright so that it puts tension on them. So far so good. Sure beats beating on my HVAC controls to get them to work. Ah, so you are saying the the two wiring harnesses that plug into the back of the control should be tied/ held up with something to take the weight off of the connectors? It would explain a lot as the intermittent working/ then not working does seem like some sort of bad connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setnev Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Ah, so you are saying the the two wiring harnesses that plug into the back of the control should be tied/ held up with something to take the weight off of the connectors? It would explain a lot as the intermittent working/ then not working does seem like some sort of bad connection. Ya, I'll see if next time I have my bezel off if I can take a picture of how I have it modified. I need to go back in there again anyways because my hard wired connection for my radar detector either blew the in-line fuse or it came disconnected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo F Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 Ya, I'll see if next time I have my bezel off if I can take a picture of how I have it modified. I need to go back in there again anyways because my hard wired connection for my radar detector either blew the in-line fuse or it came disconnected. The climate control in the wagon (the original one that I reinstalled) totally stuck on just dash and floor again. Ran into a couple of times where I needed defrost to defog the windows at night (one the other day with my 16 year old student driver at the wheel) and I had to use the A/C to clear the windows. So it sounds like unless you tie up the wiring harnesses to take the weight off the connector on the back of the unit, something loosens up in the connector itself and from then on, the ability to switch the airflow will become erratic. It sounds like the best thing would be is to get a still working unit and tie up the wires before the connector goes bad, then hopefully the issue can be avoided. Right now, both of the '98's have their original climate control units and they both act the same. I hope I can install the good one (at least it tested out good in both cars) I just got off Ebay and if I tie the wires off, hopefully will avoid the problem. The GT will be going off with my middle son to college after the holidays, so I want to make sure this is working well for him, especially in the winter. I may just go ahead and try another one from Ebay and see if it will work 9n the wagon ( I saw one for $35 or best offer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setnev Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Its not the connector on the HVAC control panel, it's the wiring harness itself. The pins get worn out in the harness connector and cause it to not make contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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