QuestionQUESTION: hi I have 97 voyager suddenly the buttons of the rear windscreen and air con and another 2 button next to them keep on flashing , some times when i drive they stop flashing.
another thing with gear box ,it drives first then second gear and then it stuck on second , and some times when rev the engine when taking off after slowing down the gear spins without engaging for 3 seconds , could it be solenoid problem , thank you and sorry for the long message
ANSWER: Hi Musa,
That flashing is an indication that something is possibly wrong with system that controls the heat/air. Fortunately there is a self-calibration of the doors, and self-diagnostic routine that you can perform using the buttons on the control panel. Here is the summary from the shop manual:
"DIAGNOSTICS
During the Actuator calibration, diagnostics are performed on the actuators and evaporator temperature Fin Sensor. Once diagnostics are completed the REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT LED's will flash to indicate either a successful calibration or the appropriate fail code(s) At this time manual testing of the Blend, Mode and Driver (if equipped) potentiometers can be performed. If a failure is detected during Diagnostics a fault will be set in the control. When Ignition is cycled OFF and then ON, Diagnostics is aborted, the REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT LED's will flash simultaneously showing that a failure has occurred. The control will not indicate the fail code, but only that a failure had occurred during the last diagnostics test. The only way to clear the failure codes is repeat the Calibration Diagnostic and Cooldown test, after all repairs are completed. The engine must be RUNNING for these diagnostic/calibrations to be performed. Go to the section below "Calibration/Diagnotic Test Entry" for instructions.
COOLDOWN TEST
This test has been designed for performance testing of the A/C system at the manufacturing facility. If the HVAC control module is replaced, the Cooldown test will occur during Calibration test. Cooldown will not occur on Heater Only units. During the Cooldown test the control will monitor the temperature of the Fin Sensor. The A/C system must be able to bring the evaporator temperature down a predetermined minimum amount in less than 2 minutes.
CALIBRATION/COOLDOWN LED DISPLAY CODES
See table for definition of flashing LED's. If no problems are found, the control functions normally. Let me know which lights are flashing when the test is over.
CALIBRATION/COOLDOWN LED DISPLAY CODES
LED'S PASS/FAIL CORRECTIVE ACTION
NO LED'S FLASHING-NORMAL OPERATION PASSED CALIBRATION, DIAGNOSTICS AND COOLDOWN NONE
REAR WIPER AND INTERMITTENT LED'S FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED CALIBRATION DIAGNOSTICS RUN CALIBRATION TEST
A/C AND RECIRC LED'S FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED COOLDOWN RUN COOLDOWN TEST
REAR WIPER AND INTERMITTENT LED'S ARE FLASHING SIMULTANEOUSLY A/C AND RECIRC LED'S ARE FLASHING SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED CALIBRATION, DIAGNOSTICS AND FAILED COOLDOWN TEST RUN CALIBRATION TEST
CALIBRATION/DIAGNOSTICS TEST ENTRY
TO INITIATE TESTS:
Engine must be running
Set Blower motor ON HIGH
Set Mode position to Panel
Open all A/C outlets
Set Temperature to Cold (Both slide pots if equipped)
Depress WASH and REAR WIPER button simultaneously for 5 Seconds (Until all LED's light)
RESULTS:
All LED's will turn on for 5 Seconds
Calibration Test is running when REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT are alternately flashing. Cooldown test is running if A/C and RECIRC are alternately flashing.
Acceptable results is REAR WIPER LED is the only LED flashing. Push Rear Wiper to exit.
After all tests have passed, Calibration Diagnostics and Cooldown can be run separately.
COOLDOWN TEST ENTRY
TO INITIATE TESTS:
Set Blower motor ON HIGH
Set Mode position to Panel
Open all A/C outlets
Set Temperature to Cold (Both slide pots if equipped)
Depress WASH and A/C simultaneously for 5 Seconds
NOTE: Prior to start of test, If the evaporator is already cold, the system will fail test. To correct, operate system with A/C OFF and the blower motor ON high for three minutes prior to starting test.
RESULTS:
All LED's will turn on for 5 Seconds
Cooldown Test is running when A/C and RECIRC. are alternately flashing. If A/C and RECIRC. are flashing simultaneously, Cooldown has failed.
CALIBRATION DIAGNOSTICS AND COOLDOWN ABORT
Test can be aborted by doing one of the following:
Depressing Rear Window Defogger, RECIRC and Rear Wiper buttons.
Cycling Ignition OFF and then ON.
Control will automatically abort after 15 minutes from the time Calibration Diagnostics and Cooldown was entered.
The HVAC control module will return to normal operation or may indicate unsuccessful Calibration Diagnostics or Cooldown test by LED's flashing simultaneously"
While this may sound complex, just begin the process at "CALIBRATION/DIAGNOSTICS TEST ENTRY"
and watch to see what happens. You are not particularly interested in the cooldown part now as that related to the AC function. Often just running the calibration will solve the problem. Let me know please how it works out.
On the transmission, that appears to also have some sort of a fault. The best thing to do is to get a fault code readour via a socket that is under the dash to the left of the steering wheel. If you have an Autozone Parts store nearby they will often do that for free, or an independent shop will do it for under $40. Get the 4-digit fault code numbers, ask what they mean and then write me back with the results and we'll go from there.
Roland
PS Please use the 'thank/rate' tab to get back to me. While you are there, if my answer has been helpful I would appreciate your giving me a 'nomination' vote to be expert of the month, and I'm in a 'tight' race for that honor. Thanks in advance
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QUESTION: hi Rolland thank you for the valuable answers ,I tried the test to clear the lights ,I hope I Ave done it right , but any way i got 2 lights left on not flashing ac and the one before it i thing you call it recirc. by the way air con is not cold from the start , regarding gear box i ll try to find some one who has tool to diagnose it as its holidays now and by the way i live in Australia and its hard to find mechanic to fix them. by the way i bought this car the way it is not knowing any thing about them can U pls advice me is it better to keep after fixing it or they do get a lot of troubles normaly , I have a good knowledge in mechanic if that an advantage in case I need to fix any thing and regarding the gear box once some one e-mail me a solenoid selling on ebay .that he had same experience as my car and it warked with him do think that possible if we know the error code later.
once again thank you for your help and sorry for the long e-mail .
cheers musa
ANSWER: Hi Musa,
On the flashing lights, if both the AC and recirc are flashing simultanously, and you notice that the AC isn't working well to cool the air, then that just tells you that the AC system is not working as well as it should. The most likely cause is that it needs more refrigerant to be added to the system which can be done at an AC shop or by buying it in cans and adding it yourself. I personally let the AC shop do this job, but if you can't afford the labor cost then try it.
On the transmission, the first priority is to get the 4-digit fault codes by using the OBD-II code reader that needs to be plugged into the socket under the dash to the left of the steering column. I would question whether just a "solenoid" or a "sensor" will solve all problems. Each code has its own possible solution, so that is why getting the code first is the most practical way to go. Someone else's cure may not be yours. Each problem is likely to have a different cause, there is no magic cure for all problems. Any automatic transmission will experience wear and thus have repair issues, but there is no reason to get rid of the vehicle just because it has a problem. You have to know what is the problem and how much it costs to repair it, and then decide whether to fix and sell, fix and keep, or sell as is. Of course it is good that you have skills which ideally will be applicable to your problem. However if the problem involves removing the transmission and replacing parts inside of it, that requires skills/tools/ and a detailed manual. So transmission rebuilding is something most amateur mechanics do not usually attempt. But do tell me the code(s) that you find to be present.
Roland
PS Thank you for the evaluation and the 'nomination'. If you would like to do that again in response to this answer, please do so.
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QUESTION: Hi Roland , i didn't have chance to scan my car computer ye as it still holidays ,but i ve a question on my mind ,in my case for the gear box as you mentioned before it might be a sensor or solenoid , how many sensors and solenoids there is in total in case I wanted to take a chance to exchange them .in case if I couldn't get a scan here .
thanking you again for your continuance support
AnswerHi Musa,
There are four solenoids, three pressure switches and two sensors.
I do recommend that you find someone with an OBD-II fault code reader as 'throwing parts' at the problem is never economically rewarding. And the system is too complex with chances for a failed repair process too high to start taking things apart that may not be broken.
Roland
