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A/C unit issues continue...pics inside

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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 06:58 PM
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Default A/C unit issues continue...pics inside

So, every once in a blue moon, my AC unit decides to turn on and actually function. The other 99.9% of the time, it'll display like this ....(sorry for the crap pics and lighting - G1 phone doesn't farewell in low lighting)





then magically ...randomly...it'll appear like so ....







Well Guru's, here a chance to check out what the search button didn't seem to solve for me. Your thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated! Any attempt for me to power this A/C unit up has failed. Be it repeated attempts at the temperature control button or random button pushing.
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 07:17 PM
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Nobody has figured this one out yet, many have the no function issue. It comes and goes, no real reason.
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 09:23 PM
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I'm wondering if maybe its possibly time for a new interior harness?
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 09:59 PM
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It might be something in the climate control ECU like a leaking capacitor on the circuit board. This is common in Mitsubishi cars.

I think if your LCD was defective it would not display at all even 1% of the time.

Replace the ECU with a used one and see.
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 10:17 PM
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i think i read somewhere that this could be a loose fuse.. bending the fuse and shoving it in will make it stay ... but this might be another issue..
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Old Nov 10, 2008 | 09:16 AM
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This is my second climate control unit, I had the same problem with the original one that came with the vehicle. I've also replaced the fuse that controls the A/C unit. If I'm not mistaken, the fuse that controls the A/C unit is also the same fuse for the cigarette lighter, no?
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Old Nov 10, 2008 | 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by SoarerAZ
This is my second climate control unit, I had the same problem with the original one that came with the vehicle. I've also replaced the fuse that controls the A/C unit. If I'm not mistaken, the fuse that controls the A/C unit is also the same fuse for the cigarette lighter, no?
Yes same fuse, If I were you I would trace the wiring back from the three main plugs from the back of the Climate Control unit, and see if there is any bad or frayed wires going into the main harness underneath the radio etc. I have also experienced a cracked climate control plug(the one which plugs into the actual control **** on the center console) that kept shorting the A/C unit. Its frustrating and painful to trace wiring but well worth the outcome especially in the AZ heat during the summer....GL
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Old Nov 10, 2008 | 02:47 PM
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does your cigarette lighter work all the time..?... you should check that.. since they are the same fuse.. go from there.. if your cigarette lighter doesnt work.. then its not getting power before the fuse box? i read somewhere that some guy had a strange problem with his a/c unit. when he shifted into gear and moved it would go out.. but works fine when he's stopped.. it was a loose fuse.. just a suggestion.. you should try
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Old Nov 10, 2008 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by BeanTWNSC3
Yes same fuse, If I were you I would trace the wiring back from the three main plugs from the back of the Climate Control unit, and see if there is any bad or frayed wires going into the main harness underneath the radio etc. I have also experienced a cracked climate control plug(the one which plugs into the actual control **** on the center console) that kept shorting the A/C unit. Its frustrating and painful to trace wiring but well worth the outcome especially in the AZ heat during the summer....GL

Youch, well I guess that's a viable solution and I'm gonna have to do work. Thank god it's fall and I have some time ahead of me. I had this vehicle through the summer. God knows how I made it through man.



Originally Posted by tuterz
does your cigarette lighter work all the time..?... you should check that.. since they are the same fuse.. go from there.. if your cigarette lighter doesnt work.. then its not getting power before the fuse box? i read somewhere that some guy had a strange problem with his a/c unit. when he shifted into gear and moved it would go out.. but works fine when he's stopped.. it was a loose fuse.. just a suggestion.. you should try

Unfortunately my lighter doesn't work either. The only thing that works is the green LED ring around it. Other than that, no dice. Man, electrical work is frustrating.
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Old Nov 10, 2008 | 05:50 PM
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Don't know how much this will help but this is from one of my service manuals. Hopefully you can pinpoint the electrical problem easier after retrieving the codes, and or knowing that it is before the fuse box underneath the driver side foot well


TROUBLE SHOOTING
SELF-DIAGNOSTICS
An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) within A/C-heater control
panel monitors system circuits and stores trouble codes in memory if
problems are detected. All codes, except Codes 22 and 23, are stored
in memory. Malfunction is current if Code 22 or 23 is displayed. To
retrieve stored codes, see RETRIEVING CODES. Codes are displayed at
temperature display. See Fig. 2.
RETRIEVING CODES
1) Simultaneously press and hold AUTO and recirculated air
switches. See Fig. 2. Turn ignition on. All indicators will flash 4
times, at one-second intervals. Tone will sound when indicators flash.
2) A/C system will enter self-diagnostic mode. To end
indicator check, press and release OFF switch. Read codes at
temperature display.
3) If trouble code is displayed, proceed to appropriate
trouble shooting procedure. See DIAGNOSTIC CODE IDENTIFICATION table.
Codes are displayed in ascending order. To slow rate at which codes
are displayed, press fresh air button to change display to step
operation. Each time fresh air button is pressed, display changes by
one step.
4) If tone sounds as code is displayed, problem currently
exists. If tone does not sound as code is displayed, problem occurred
in past and does not presently exist.
Code Diagnosis
00 ................................................ Normal
11 (1) ............. In-Vehicle Temperature Sensor Circuit
12 (2) ................ Ambient Temperature Sensor Circuit
13 ................. Evaporator Temperature Sensor Circuit
14 .................... Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit
21 (3) .............................. Solar Sensor Circuit
22 (4) .................... Compressor Lock Sensor Circuit
23 (4) ........................... Pressure Switch Circuit
31 .................. Air Mix Door Position Sensor Circuit
32 ................ Air Inlet Door Position Sensor Circuit
33 ............... Air Outlet Door Position Sensor Circuit
41 ....................... Air Mix Door Servomotor Circuit
42 ..................... Air Inlet Door Servomotor Circuit
43 .................... Air Outlet Door Servomotor Circuit
(1) - If in-vehicle temperature is -4 F (-20 C) or less,
Code 11 may set even though system is normal.
(2) - If outside air temperature is -58 F (-50 C) or less,
Code 12 may occur set though system is normal.
(3) - If testing is done in a dark area, Code 21 may set
even though system is normal. Shine a light at solar
sensor and recheck codes.
(4) - Malfunction is current. Code is not stored in memory.
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Old Nov 10, 2008 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by SoarerAZ
Unfortunately my lighter doesn't work either. The only thing that works is the green LED ring around it.
You're onto something there..............
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Old Nov 10, 2008 | 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by SoarerAZ
Unfortunately my lighter doesn't work either. The only thing that works is the green LED ring around it. Other than that, no dice. Man, electrical work is frustrating.
im telling you check the fuse one more time.. make sure its snugged in there.. you lighter doesnt work cause maybe the fuse isnt working.. if its the ac unit that is broken then the lighter should work..
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Old Nov 11, 2008 | 04:12 PM
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We'll give it a shot tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on the details.
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Old Nov 12, 2008 | 07:39 AM
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Originally Posted by tuterz
im telling you check the fuse one more time.. make sure its snugged in there.. you lighter doesnt work cause maybe the fuse isnt working.. if its the ac unit that is broken then the lighter should work..


And make sure that something (like a coin) has not fallen into the cig lighter socket and shorted the system (and blown the fuse).
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Old Nov 12, 2008 | 12:08 PM
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It's the fuse bro. Mine use to do the exact same thing. The one side of the fuse prong was spread out to far and the fuse wouldn't make good contact. I ended adding some soder to one side of the fuse so it would fit snug. Never had anymore problems.

Shane
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