Park avenue climate control flashing

[ka9mgd]

I have a 1996 park avenue that I recently unhooked the battery to do intake manifold gasket replacement.After Re-connecting the battery I am getting a flashing Outside temp. on the climate control display after the car is started. It flashes for about 2 minutes. I have no air coming from the instrument panel ducts-Air flows fine from the defrost and lower heater ducts.I checked the vacuum line behind the plenum and it is connected.
What kind of scan tool do I need to check for any codes that may be set on the climate control?Can the system just be re-set since the battery was un hooked?

[ruffo66]

ka9mgd Try this,(I'ts worked for me on my 95 PA)open up the glove box and disconnect the the blend door shaft.Start the car and turn on your climate control. Let the blend door acctuator go back and forth like it has been doing,when it stops turn your temp control to either all the way cold or all the way to hot, when the blend door acctuator reaches the position you set and stops, hold the blend door into that position(either hot or cold whichever you picked) and reconnect the blend door shaft.Play around with the temp control to see if it moves freely then shut the car off and restart to see if the blinking stopped. The blend door should not go back and forth anymore. Let us know if it worked

[ka9mgd]

I have doubts about this procedure working-Thia car has passenger and driver blend doors and it has obdII system,But I will try removing both actuators when I get the time and will get back to you later in the week.Will this procedure also cure the no air blowing from the I P ducts?

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by ka9mgd

I checked the vacuum line behind the plenum and it is connected. What kind of scan tool do I need to check for any codes that may be set on the climate control? Can the system just be re-set since the battery was un hooked?

The vacuum line from the manifold to the reservoir has a check valve, be sure it is installed the right way! The system will usually reset on it’s own after about 50 start/stop cycles. Most A/C shops have a scanner that can read/reset faults and I am sure most of them are familiar with how to recalibrate the system. This is a very common problem when the battery is disconnected without turning off the ATC control. You might get by with it a few times, but it will eventually get you!

[ka9mgd]

Thanks HOTZ28, The system may have reset itself. The display has quit flashing and I am getting some air from the IP ducts now but does not seem to be enough yet.I am going to check the vacuum tank and hoses for leaks next.

[HotZ28]

Be patient, air flow through the IP vents depends on the sun sensor, among several things. You need full sunlight, for full flow!

[ka9mgd]

Thanks much-I will give it some time and see how it acts.I did not know it was dependent on those sensors.

[ka9mgd]

Should I have full flow through the IP vents when in the MID selection on the display?

[HotZ28]

Normally, when using the automatic setting, air will come from the floor, the IP vents and the defroster outlets. The blower speed will vary (unless the blower HI/LOW buttons are selected) as the system approaches and maintains the selected temperature. For a balanced flow, the best setting would be the mid position. You may never obtain full flow through the IP vents in auto mode unless; the temp setting on the controller is substantially lower than the cabin temp, the sun sensor sees full sunlight, and the ambient (outside) temp is high enough to call for full flow. When in the AUTO mode, and the cabin temperature begins to stabilize with the ATC control settings, the fan speed will slow down and flow direction will change somewhat.

The ATC system uses a network of input/output sensors to control and maintain set points. For example; inside temp sensor, outside temp sensor, sun sensor, A/C evaporator inlet sensor, PCM-ECC data, blower speed control, air mix valves, programmer module, refrigerant pressure sensor and the system controller set points. As you can see, it is not a simple system to troubleshoot!

[ka9mgd]

Thanks, I never had a system like this before.I always had a manual slider control system that worked totally different so I will just see how it goes for a while since it is giving me hot and cold air when needed.

[HotZ28]

In the interim, when you are driving the car, run the system from full hot, to full cold several times. Give it a minute to stabilize and then go the other way.


Next, select; auto & recirculation, let it stabilize, then turn OFF, pause 15 sec and select auto & defrost, then turn OFF with a pause. Finally turn auto and OFF several times with a 15 sec pause, to allow the blend doors to rearrange themselves. This will give the system a complete workout and will help it recalibrate, believe it or not!

[ka9mgd]

Thanks much-I really appreciate your help..I will try your suggestion this weekend.

[ghalacsy]

i had a bad battery connection and my control unit flashes for about 2 minutes. do i need to wait things out and see if the system resets itself or should i replce something?

thanks