98 Voyager Defrost Vent Control Problem

OK - I have spent HOURS researching this and even tried the recalibration that is so well documented in this forum as well as the internet. Now I have two problems... Help is greatly appreciated!

Problem that started it all:
I have a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager and the climate control vent direction control does not work. Only the front vents work. When I turn the knob it simply turns freely, but nothing happens.

So I read somewhere that I may need to run the recalibration with the wiper button thing - and ran many many many times. I get two results; 1) the two upper wiper control lights bink together - until the 15 min runs out... 2) Without running AC test, the two upper wiper control lights blink like this - top one blink, 2nd one one blink, upper one blink, 2nd one four blinks - and this continues until the 15 min reset runs out.

So.... my question is, what is the problem? A relay, the vent direction control motor, or the control panel. And - can I get those darn lights to stop binking as they were NOT blinking before I ran the recalibration. My a/c works fine.

THANK YOU!

http://www.visteonclimatecontrolproducts.com/tsb/241695_tsbs.htm

This link to a TSB descibes failure modes of the climate control system. Unfortunately it refers you to another area of the factory manual for what to do if you get the lights. You might try subscribing to Alldata.com for access to factory manuals for your van. The info you need may be there. I think it costs around $15 for 3 months access. Welcome to the forum.

Thank you. I will check into the reference you made.

I have another question on the same problem - The air speed dial has 'clicks' as it is rotated through the range of speeds. Does the vent selector dial have the same 'clicks'? Because my does not - it is totally smooth without any resistance or 'clicks'.

Thank You!

How do I tell what model I have? I bought the car used. I have the Grand Voyager Espresso 1998. Alldata.com is asking me which model;

1998 Plymouth Truck Grand Voyager Engine Selection

L4-2.4L VIN B

V6-201 3.3L VIN R SMFI

V6-3.0L VIN 3

V6-3.3L VIN G Flex Fuel

Oh yah - one more thing... Can someone confirm that when the calibration self test runs, that I should at least hear the actuator for the vent control and that it should be cycling through the vent control regardless if the control switch is bad?

Ok, got the info on how to find the engine model from alldata.com. Here is the info in case anyone else needs it; "To answer your question, if you look at the eighth digit or placement in the eighth slot of the VIN it will give you the correct information."

I wouldn't say the dial clicks but, there is a defined detent at each position. If you can spin the dial around with no resistance then either the plastic knob is worn or cracked where it connects to the switch shaft or the shaft mechanism internal to the switch is broken. As you say, you're only getting air out the front (upper?) vents. Could be the switch contacts are "stuck" on upper vents because your spinning switch knob may be preventing movement of the contacts. You might try removing the climate control panel bezel (plastic trim around the panel) so you can try pulling the knob off. Once the knob is off you can inspect it to see if it is cracked around the central shaft. If it's cracked I would try calling your dealership and see if they stock the knob. You can also try to carefully rotate the switch's shaft using a pair of pliers. If the switch itself is bad meaning there's no detents, I think you would have to replace the entire HVAC Control Head meaning the climate control panel in order to replace the switch. They cost around $150. A junkyard will save you a bundle.

Should you hear the vent modes cycle and would a broken switch make a difference? Yes you should hear the vent modes cycle. As far as the switch - I don't know for sure. If the internal switch contacts are a jumbled mess, it's tough to predict what it would effect. If the contacts are intact but, simply won't move, the test should still work.

Thanks for the VIN info.

Thank you for your reply regarding the slector knob 'clicks'.

I am thinking I have two problems. 1) Bad sector knob and 2) Bad or jammed vent actuator. The reason for #2 is because I was talking to someone who supposedly knew something about these things - he said that the calib test should move the vent through the 'computer' bypassing the switch entirely. And because my calib failed (blinking lights I described at the begining of the post), that could be the cause.

After work, I plan on subscribing to alldata and looking up the blinking light pattern to confirm...

Thank You Again!

Ya, makes sense. Please keep us updated.

I subscribed to alldata fyi and no luck so far. I can't even find the recalibarion procedure.

My AC just died yesterday too. I tried to recharg with store bought kit - but something is wrong. Verified lw side in manuals and the gauge I bought shows the system is over charged and refridgerant won't go into the system...

Reason tried to recharge is the compressor clutch is not engaging and the fuse / relay is good.

I am trying to bypass the low pressure sensor and it says to jump in the Clintons manual / other sources, but there are three wires and not two. So I printed out the diagram form alldata and see which on gets switched, so I will jumer those two connections. UPDATE - Which two to jumper? Don't think it will work cause the diagram shows what looks like a VARIABLE pressure sensor. Leads are Power, Ground, and sensor. Ideas???

FYI on the Climate Control Module - I looked all over creation locally here in the Sac CA area for a replacement at a dismatlers... Rare part for a 98 Espresso Voyager. Can't find one - so I found one online for $165!!! Ouch.

So, I attempted to fix mine. I took it apart and found a quarter inside with the circuit board - so I am sure something got short circuited. Also, there is a ball bearing under the switch knob that was easy enough to fix - but again, I think a componant on the circuit board is fried. So, going to shell out some $ for a replacement.

Again, the main symptom I am trying to fix is that I can not select between vents, dash, etc for where air goes.... Can anyone offer any other feedback or suggestions?

THANK YOU!
Fred

OK - Got the new control panel and my vent controls work and it passed calibration now.

BUT - AC compressor still didn't kick in so I bypassed the relay thinking maybe that I am low on refridgerant. Well, the loud squeeling noise came shortly after that and I can see the high pressure vent is venting.
I don't want to screw anything else up - so what would cause this?
THANKS!

OK - I am now a Darwin Award winner!

In my zeal to install and test my newly arrive climate control panel - I negelected to check if I reconnected the AC pressure sensor. :banghead:

I plugged it in, ran cool down test, and BAM!!!! I was able to top off the system with a can of refr and the low side is icy cold!:naughty:

Problem solved by replacing the climate control panel.:lol2:

In my zeal to install and test my newly arrive climate control panel - I negelected to check if I reconnected the AC pressure sensor. :banghead:

All part of auto maintenance. Welcome to the club and congrats on the fix.