need help with climate control

[qwks6]

Here's what's going on: climate control seems to be good until you adjust the temperature (it's electronic touch by the way). Then the temperature LED starts blinking and it only wants to blow hot air! Would anybody know how I could go about fixing this? Should I swap to a manual control and how hard would this be?

I have heard that these electronic climate control systems are self diagnosing but I have no resources to draw from. So if anybody could point me in the right dirction I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

Mike

 

[charlief1]

I've got a simular problem but I'm switching to manual so I won't have to mess with it. Thread 1 http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/general-turbo-buick-tech/114705-climate-control.html Thread 2 http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/general-turbo-buick-tech/91709-climate-control.html

 

[qwks6]

Thanks so much, very helpful. Is there anywhere that describes the swap to manual?

 

[charlief1]

I haven't found it yet but I have acces to mitchelondemand so I should be able to find the info when I get the chance. Shouldn't be to bad though. You first need to find the dash unit ect though.

 

[A2000RICH]

Thanks so much, very helpful. Is there anywhere that describes the swap to manual?

i've done dozens of swaps from 60 to 68 and vice versa------i have some directions on the swap somewhere and would even be willing to give some advice if you need it-------as for the controller the problem you describe is common to what happens when the wrong controller is installed------is the controller the original one that came with the car??????............RC

 

[turbofish38]

A blinking LED indicates what might be wrong in the system. Since it's the temperature that is blinking I would check the temp door actuator. If it's one of the mode LEDs blinking than the FSM says it's an air door not functioning. If you pull down the glove box door you should be able to see the temp actuator. The arm should move when you go from hot to cold. Also check that the temperature lever isn't broken. It's the plastic "L" shaped part right behind the glove box.

Swapping over should be a plug and play affair if you have the correct parts. Just remember that the upper half of the HVAC case is turbo specific and C68 specific. In other words, all but this one part could probably be sourced from a NA G-Body. I would reuse your existing heater and evaporator cores.

 

[charlief1]

Other than the temp controls and lines what else is needed Eric? And I found this thread about converting but no info.
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/general-turbo-buick-tech/237436-climate-control.html

 

[qwks6]

thank you so much! I'll check the temp actuator and temp lever!

 

[A2000RICH]

A blinking LED indicates what might be wrong in the system. Since it's the temperature that is blinking I would check the temp door actuator. If it's one of the mode LEDs blinking than the FSM says it's an air door not functioning. If you pull down the glove box door you should be able to see the temp actuator. The arm should move when you go from hot to cold. Also check that the temperature lever isn't broken. It's the plastic "L" shaped part right behind the glove box.

Swapping over should be a plug and play affair if you have the correct parts. Just remember that the upper half of the HVAC case is turbo specific and C68 specific. In other words, all but this one part could probably be sourced from a NA G-Body. I would reuse your existing heater and evaporator cores.

eric--------a couple things about the c68-------the upper case is not different than the c60 case------it might have had a different part # but that probably is only because it had a different harrison label on it--------otherwise the upper case parts are identical--------there are a couple holes that have removable plugs in one application vs the other but they are easy to swap since they pop out--------as for the controller lights blinking it is a diagnostic feature but i am taking guesses that his controller is not original--------the controller for the g bodies had no feedback from the temp function since it was vacuum actuated and there was no provision to send a positional signal back to the control------the g body controller operates in a "blind" mode and never knows what the temp door is actually doing therefore it has no fault indication in its operational code for that function--------in the e and b body cars they had electronic servo motors on the temp door and sent a positional feedback to the control head-------if the door didn't respond correctly within about 30 seconds the controller would "shut down" and blink the lights---------lots of controllers are sold (especially on e-bay) for replacements in the gn but if they came from e or b body cars they will not work even though they look identical on the outside-------the microprocessor code is quite different..............RC

 

[qwks6]

here's the replacement I figured I'd swap to if I can't figure out what's wrong with mine...

http://www.***********/servlet/the-135/Buick-Grand-National-parts/Detail

 

[qwks6]

oops, guess they're not a supporting vendor!!!!

my bad! I guess ignore that last post!

 

[turbofish38]

Thanks Richard. That explains why the FSM only mentions the blinking LED on the mode functions. I was thinking the C68 part had an extra boss molded on it for the temp actuator. The replacements never came with the labels so that's not why they have a different part number.

 

[charlief1]

So all I need is the controler, vacum lines and cable?

 

[GNVenom]

This might be of some help:

http://www.installationinstructions.com/FYI/climatecontroltech.pdf

Richard, you once mentioned there was some discrepancy here, maybe would chime in?

Also, the PC board pictorials might be helpful:

http://www.installationinstructions.com/FYI/climatecontrolpcboards.pdf

 

[A2000RICH]

This might be of some help:

http://www.installationinstructions.com/FYI/climatecontroltech.pdf

Richard, you once mentioned there was some discrepancy here, maybe would chime in?

Also, the PC board pictorials might be helpful:

http://www.installationinstructions.com/FYI/climatecontrolpcboards.pdf

the only controller compatible with the GN shown in the link is the last one------the microprocessor must have the code 3620 or 3621 on it or it will not work in a G body car

 

[A2000RICH]

So all I need is the controler, vacum lines and cable?

there are a few other important parts that you need-------i will be willing to do a complete swap along with detailed instructions------- if you are interested let me know

 

[charlief1]

I'd really just like to know what parts I need. It's kinda a long drive from Texas Rich. I've got the dash controls, vacum lines, and cable already.

 

[A2000RICH]

I'd really just like to know what parts I need. It's kinda a long drive from Texas Rich. I've got the dash controls, vacum lines, and cable already.

my memory didn't serve me so well last night-------the c68 does have positional feedback on the temp door-----its the other functions that don't have feedback-------if the temp door doesn't respond to the selected temp after about a minute whatever temp LED is lit will start to flash--------the controllers for the other model lines also have feedback on the other actuators and when they fail the actual mode LED flashes------that said here is what you need------obviously a control head-------the control head needs to have the short (about 1 foot) plastic tubing bundle on it so it can attach to the vacuum lines that go to the air doors in the ducts-----you need the wiring harness that runs through the firewall------you need a air door pivot pin (black plastic) and the threaded rod that attaches the pivot to the door-----it is a different length from the present one that you now have (memory says its shorter by about an inch)---------to install the pivot pin you need to remove the plug in the top of the case revealing the approx half inch dia hole that the pivot sits in------it has two slots that retain the pin when it is in place--------you need to remove the plug that covers the slot that the temp cable clips into to provide a clamping point for the wire slider cable--------you need a resistor pack that replaces the electronic circuit board that is located in the top of the air box under the hood-------if you send me an address i will send you a set of directions on how to remove all of the necessary parts of the c68 and when you follow them it will be obvious how to install the c60-------and i would still like to by your c68 parts working or not...................RC

 

[turbofish38]

the only controller compatible with the GN shown in the link is the last one------the microprocessor must have the code 3620 or 3621 on it or it will not work in a G body car

I never memorized the numbers. Being a parts guy the easiest for me was to memorize the letters.
G=Regal
E=Riviera
B/C=LeSabre/Park Ave/Full Size

Just remember Gee as in G-Body.

 

[clearwater68]

Here's what's going on: climate control seems to be good until you adjust the temperature (it's electronic touch by the way). Then the temperature LED starts blinking and it only wants to blow hot air! Would anybody know how I could go about fixing this? Should I swap to a manual control and how hard would this be?

I have heard that these electronic climate control systems are self diagnosing but I have no resources to draw from. So if anybody could point me in the right dirction I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

Mike

I do know a little about these systems. If they lights are blinking it is an indication that the system is unable to close a blend door or heater control valve. It would not be easier to change to a manual system. If you notice, every time you make a change in temperature you will hear an electric motor making the necessary adjustments to the blend doors. A manual system is driven by vaccum. This means you would have to change all those control motors to vaccum operated--if you can even do that.

I am having an issue with my electronic touch climate control not letting me adjust the temperature down. Only when it is extremely hot sitting outside in the sun for hours will it adjust down. It will adjust up all you want but you may not be able to get it to go back down. I am guessing I need a new touch panel. Does anyone know where or how to get one? Does anyone service these units?

Thanks,

Greg