QuestionI have a chrysler Town & Country (2003) automatic climate control. With it set to 74 degrees it fluctuated from cool air to warm air to hot air. this is intermitten problem. the chrysler mechanic says it could be the infrared sensor or the climate control module. the climate control has been reprogramed twice. What could be happening?
AnswerHi Jerry,
I am handicapped in only having a manual for the '98 model, but that one has a self-diagnostic capability to test the calibration of all the actuators and assess the cooldown capability of the system. The test may well be available also in your 2003, but I can't guarantee it.
Starting the tests is fairly straight forward, but following up on any faults requires further action/interprestation of the way the lights are flashing at the conclusion of the first test. All the possibilities cover about 6+ pages in the manual.
But let us give it a try. The engine must be running. Set the blower on HIGH, set mode to the PANEL position, open all AC outlets, Set temperature slide pot(s) to COLD, Depress WASH and REAR WIPER simultaneously for 5 seconds (Until all LED's light). The LED's will stay on for 5 seconds. Calibration tests are running when the rear wiper and intermittent are alternatively flashing. Cooldown test is running when the A/C and recirc lights are flashing.
Acceptable result is when the rear wiper only LED is flashing.
Push rear wiper button to exit.
Interpretation of codes (presumably stored if you don't get the above result) is an involved process for which it would be better to xerox copy and postal mail you the pages.
So see whether your unit seems to behave according to what I have described, and please let me know.
Roland
and following is an answer that Kevin gave to a similar question, so give this a try:
MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL
The front blower speed and rear blower speed (if equipped with rear HVAC) must be set to High and the evaporator temperature sensor must be greater than 55° F or the test will fail immediately. The test is activated by depressing the A/C and PWR buttons simultaneously and holding them depressed for no less than five seconds. The PWR and A/C LEDs will blink on and off until the test is complete. If the LEDs stop blinking before two minutes, then the cool down test has been completed successfully. If the two minutes expire without the expansion valve temperature reaching 20° F less than the outside air temperature, then the cool down test has been failed and further A/C system diagnosis is required. If the test is failed, the LEDs will continue to blink until the vehicle has been driven for greater than (8 miles).
AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL
The ambient air temperature in the room where the vehicle will be tested must be a minimum of 21° C (70°F) for this test. The test is activated by depressing the A/C and PWR buttons simultaneously and holding them depressed for no less than four seconds. The snowflake icon and the DELAY text in the ATC display will blink on and off alternately until the test is complete. If the snowflake icon and the DELAY text stop blinking before two minutes, then the cool down test has been completed successfully. If the two minutes expire without the evaporator temperature reaching 20° F less than the evaporator initial temperature, then the cool down test has been failed and further A/C system diagnosis is required. If the test is failed, the snowflake icon and the DELAY text will continue to blink across ignition cycles until the vehicle has been driven for greater than (8 miles).
PPS The voting for 'expert of the month' ends tomorrow afternoon. If you would be so kind as to find the "nomination?" area of the 'thank/rate' tab and change the 'no' to a 'yes' that would give a vote. Thanks
