99 Grand Caravan No Heat

[sixpakjim]

Hello,
99 Grand Caravan, 3.3L No Heat. Radiator is full, top hose gets hot, as do both lines to heater core. Engine temp rock steady in the middle.
I've run the A/C Cool down diagnostic check, and at the start of the test, I get HOT air. Test finishes, no codes, and no hot air.
I'm guessing there is a problem with the blend actuators. However, with the ignition on and engine off, as I cycle the temperature control slider, I can hear all sorts of servos (?) moving. How much of the dash do I need to take apart to get to the blend actuators? How easy to Repair/Replace? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Any other ideas?? Why would it get hot during the test, and then not after it?

[RIP]

I'm only guessing but as most built in tests go, when the test is initiated the door actuators are commanded to go to a predetermined position as established by the software in the climate module and not by any manual input from a switch. Judging by the fact you see/feel evidense the actuators are moving and you have no fault codes I might say the doors may not be the problem. The problem might be in the temperature control switch on the panel. Might try taking the panel apart and cleaning the switch with electrical contact cleaner. Also pay close attention to the solder joints holding the connector on the circuit board. Check for cracked or cold joints.

[mwrobe1]

Upon scouring the forum...the original post states EXACTLY what I am experiencing with my 97 Voyager. (Only I believe the original post (i think) is slightly incorrect...its probably the HVAC test that he ran, not the AC cool down; and the SOB never posted back the fix if there was one)

On mine...the climate controls appear to work, the temp slider Cold-Hot (although it is now more like Colder-Cold) works, the vents and the fan speeds operate correctly. And as stated above...radiator level...good, thermastat....opening and closing as it should, temp gauge....happily in the middle, ALL radiator hoses...hot, heater core tubes...damn hot (the chiltons manual is total BS in the steps it tells you to remove the heater core BTW, yeah I did that thinking I had 12 years of caked-on $hit on my heater core preventing the "heat" from escaping)

I stupidly ran the a/c cool down test as well...and it only rendered me the blinking effing lights. (recirc and a/c; the a/c hasnt worked in years)

When running the HVAC test (Rear wiper full on plus rear wiper wash) the first 5 seconds of the test gives me heat...it feels like a blend door is closing that is restricting air from the outside...but then, the damn thing opens again giving me what I believe is, more air for the outside. Press full wiper on to end the test...very very little heat.

This is my thing...I'm not spending $400 for a new climate control panel from the dealer.

I'm not spending $250 is for an aftermarket panel.

I'll roll dice on ebay for $20-$40 as a TOTAL and "I had enough of this" last resort on a climate control panel (but thats not a guarantee either)

I'll hit the temp slider with contact cleaner and inspect the solder joints, I'm not too confident in that BTW.

What I want to know is...what IS that actuator/blend door that is closing during the first 5 seconds of that test and where can access it (causing the least pain and dissassembliage) in order to keep the damn thing closed? (thus directing more air toward the heater core and less arctic air from the outside)

Anybody have any innard dash diagrams of this? I mean, there are probably 5 or 6 actuators in total that are controling this stuff...its not rocket science.

ANY assistance is appreciated.

[sixpakjim]

OOOPs!! Never got back to post the fix. Sorry!
Tried contact cleaner and couldn't find any problems with the solder on the climate control panel, so I saw a bunch of climate control panels on eBay for all sorts of prices. Went to Harry's U-Pull it in PA and pulled one off. Cost was less than $10 bucks!
Car now has heat.
Hope this helps!

[mwrobe1]

OK, I had to resort to eBay. The 2 local boneyards in my area had about 12 Caravans/Voyagers COMPLETELY butchered. I might get out of this mess for $10 plus shipping (depending on the bidding) Wish me luck and warm thoughts (ha ha)

[RIP]

Originally Posted by sixpakjim

OOOPs!! Never got back to post the fix. Sorry!
Tried contact cleaner and couldn't find any problems with the solder on the climate control panel, so I saw a bunch of climate control panels on eBay for all sorts of prices. Went to Harry's U-Pull it in PA and pulled one off. Cost was less than $10 bucks!
Car now has heat.
Hope this helps!

Believe me, you're not late. Thanks for coming back with the fix. Glad to hear you got off so cheap. Wish we all could.

[krushmoto]

I'm having a similar problem with my 99 G.C. 3.8L. Only difference is it's on the passenger side. I only have full heat or full cold. When I push the lever to full heat I have heat but move it 1mm out of full heat it goes completely cold. Drivers side is works fine. Any suggestions? I can hear the servo moving the blend door and obviously it works since I get heat or cold but there's no in between. Wife gets annoyed since it's either too hot or too cold. (I tell her she might be in the beginning stages of menopause. ) So if any one has some recommendations please let me know. Thanks.

[therd3]

Originally Posted by sixpakjim

OOOPs!! Never got back to post the fix. Sorry!
Tried contact cleaner and couldn't find any problems with the solder on the climate control panel, so I saw a bunch of climate control panels on eBay for all sorts of prices. Went to Harry's U-Pull it in PA and pulled one off. Cost was less than $10 bucks!
Car now has heat.
Hope this helps!

Thanks have same van and problem. Ebay look out. tired of cold ~!

[g8t255]

Howdy. I too have a 99 GC 3.8 and I have no heat on the passenger side at all. Wife very chilled about this. I tried to do the re learn on the dash many times to no avail. So one day this past summer with tools in hand and lots of band aids I took the dash apart. Many hours later and a trunk full of parts I got to the servos. In hind sight I could have gotten to the one I needed with only a few parts removed above the gas pedal but where's the fun in that? I replaced said servo for the passenger side and it was still the same problem. I have now purchased a used control panel from E Bay. Big note here though. There are three panels that look the same for my 99 identified by the color of the plastic multi pin connector on the back of the panel. The three colors are Black, Blue or White. Dealer tells me it makes a difference. Also there is a part number starting with a letter P which has to match. Once I get the used part in from somewhere in the USA, I will post the results. On the plus side I found several dollars in spare change when I took everything apart..