Climate control problem

[Tricks4u]

Hey folks
I own a 99 caravan SE Sport and have had a bunch of problems pop up all around the same time. I guess I'll start with the AC and heat. The only thing that works on the climate control unit is the fan; The Ac and heat have stopped working properly along with all the other buttons on the panel. When it first started I had to push the button a few times to get the AC or heat to work depending on what I was trying to use, same with changing the directional setting (defrost, floor etc.) and the temp control slider (cool to hot) once it worked it would get stuck in that position, right now it's with the AC on,
Although the AC light does not come on its blowing cold air. I moved it around and got the heat to come once again I could not change any settings but the fan. I took it apart cleaned the board and all buttons and such, put it back together slipped it in without the bezel and it worked...for one day. While it worked it worked perfect I ran it through a bunch of settings, heat, ac, floor, defrost several times and all was well, the next day it was back to not working, no lights on the AC/Heat panel and the same problems as stated above.

I wonder if maybe I blew a fuse. Putting it in without the bezel? Although it seems strange it’s doing the exact same thing as before and with the fan being the only thing that works. I was also thinking the ignition switch could be causing this? I know it has a slight problem, it can be turned with any key not started but turned and if I put the key in wrong a lot of my dash board stuff won't work, radio, dashboard lights, the airbag light comes on. If this is the problem how hard is the switch to replace?
Thanks for any help

Tricks

[Myssi]

Tricks, I have had mostly the same issue with my 96 Gcaravan. Its been to the shop several times and thankfully I have a buddy who works at a shop. It is the "entire" black control panel. The panels get worn out and the buttons get worn out. I replaces mine with one from the junk yard and with in 2 months it was acting up again. A new part from the dodge dealer is about 350 bucks. They told me there was an isue with them from 96-2000. There are also several different colors on the back of the panel, and should you find one at a junk yard or even from the dealer it is VERY simple to put in your self. I did mine. Took about 5 minutes and a screw driver.
Good luck.

[Tricks4u]

Thanks,
thats just what I did it was easy and things are working fine! I bought one about 4 years ago because I had burned the bezel that goes around the climate control itself and dodge does not sell the bezel alone you have to buy it with the climate unit! I wonder why! back then it was 450! I bought one from the junkyard and never put it in so when this one went bad I tried to hook it up only to find it was a nad different turns out its for a 97-98! so I had to go buy another one cost me 65. By the way if anyone needs a 97-98 climate control unit I got one and it was bought in 98 or 99 so it should be in good shape!
lata....
Tricks