QuestionQUESTION: Hello,
Hello, I have a 1995 Dodge Intrepid with the ATC Automatic Temp Control that does not light up on the face. I read a post on the 1998 and checked the voltage to the white wire on the white connector I got 11 vdc, at the back of the control The control use to work when the car sat and lost voltage (battery drained) the control would not work till the battery charged up lots. Then it was business as ussual. Would the control be that sensitve to the voltage? I do plan to use the car as a winter beater, so heat is important. Current state it will blow out the defrost at one speed so I do have something.
Also this car has a aftermarket alarm and remote start, could I be having a problem with a short that is not blowing a fuse?
Thanks Chuck
ANSWER: Hi Chuck,
I wonder about the white wire that you read the voltage at because in both my '94 and '98 manuals there are no white connectors on the back of the ATC control panel (though there is a white wire). This is an electronic controller so it would want to have the full 12v supply if it is going to work properly. Therefor I would not count it out until I knew it had a good battery supply. The white wire on pin 5 of the black plug should show that as should the black/pink on pin 1 of the green 2-pin plug.
I doubt that the alarm and remote would be doing anything that affects the ATC.
Roland
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: On follow up, the white wire had 11.23 vdc and the black/pink wire had 11.59vdc with the motor off and the key in the run position. I then had 14.00vdc White and 14.20 vdc Black/Pink. Still nothing on the control face lights up. Can this computer control lose it's memory and need to be flashed ?
AnswerHi Chuck,
There is no memory in the ATC unit to speak of. If by "then" in the second sentence you mean with the engine running, that would suggest that there is sufficient supply voltage to operate the unit. About the only other simple possibility for non-function is that one of two ground wires is disconnected. Those are the black on pin 2 and the black/light green on pin 6. If you measure the resistence between each of the pin wires and ground and find them patent (approx 0 ohms) then you would conclude that something such as a shorted/open electrolytic capacitor on the circuit board has caused the failure of the unit. You could examine the board, looking for signs of a leaky electrolytic which would leave a 'wet' spot directly underneath it. If you found something suspicious try replacing it.
Roland
