climate control R34 Climate Control Unit

[Murfyy]

Had an issue for a while where my climate control unit would not not show any lights, the buttons wouldn’t work, obviously the aircon and heating didn’t work. The only thing that showed on the unit was the clock which constantly counts up and repeats constantly when powered on.

 

I have taken it to an auto elec who had a look and he bought in a car aircon mechanic/specialist to check it out. Neither of them found any issues with fuses or the system itself. Also took the unit to another auto elec/electrician who took it apart and tested it all and it worked fine. The lights lit up and all.

 

so far I’ve double checked all the fuses, which are all good. The unit itself has been tested and works (however not when plugged into my car). No idea how to go about this/fix it. Any advice/tips/people to contact would be great thanks!

[Deathkitteh]

Just responding because I'm also having the same issue!

[GTSBoy]

So, the final diagnostic is to try your control unit in another car. Presuming it works in another car, then you're looking at loom/plug problems in your car.

[Murfyy]

1 minute ago, GTSBoy said:

So, the final diagnostic is to try your control unit in another car. Presuming it works in another car, then you're looking at loom/plug problems in your car.

How would I even go about fixing the plug/looms? I’m assuming multi meter and testing current through the plug etc?

[GTSBoy]

Well, yeah, loom diagnosis is a process of pulling all the plugs and testing all the wires that are associated with the loom you're interested in, along with other plugs that hang from the same loom. You're looking for unexpected shorts between unrelated wires, unexpected earths, unexpected 12V (when there shouldn't be, because you've disconnected the expected power supply, etc etc.

[Murfyy]

Just now, GTSBoy said:

Well, yeah, loom diagnosis is a process of pulling all the plugs and testing all the wires that are associated with the loom you're interested in, along with other plugs that hang from the same loom. You're looking for unexpected shorts between unrelated wires, unexpected earths, unexpected 12V (when there shouldn't be, because you've disconnected the expected power supply, etc etc.

Alright thanks mate. You know if auto elects are the right people to contact for this kinda stuff?

[GoHashiriya]

I have a feeling this particular failure is the solder joints in the control unit itself. I've read about this a few times, but cant confirm as - touch wood - it hasnt happened to mine yet. Similar issue to the boost sensor and MAF sensor solder joints. If this is the case you'll want to look inside the unit, as if youre replacing the bulbs, and confirm the internal connectors are working. Otherwise, I see the units pop up on yahoo auction form time to time at about 100k JPY or 1,000 AUD  

Sorry, missed the part where you said its been tested in another car. Scrap what I said and follow GTSBoy

Edited November 7, 2022 by GoHashiriya

[Murfyy]

Just now, GoHashiriya said:

I have a feeling this particular failure is the solder joints in the control unit itself. I've read about this a few times, but cant confirm as - touch wood - it hasnt happened to mine yet. Similar issue to the boost sensor and MAF sensor solder joints. If this is the case you'll want to look inside the unit, as if youre replacing the bulbs, and confirm the internal connectors are working. Otherwise, I see the units pop up on yahoo auction form time to time at about 100k JPY or 1,000 AUD  

I mean I’ve had a professional take it apart and look through it, even power it up showing me that all the lights are working so I think that the unit might be okay? Leaning towards the plugs and stuff being the issue now but still unsure and definitely do not want to spend that much haha

[Murfyy]

another question, does anyone know if an r33 climate control module would work in an r34? they seem to have the same plugs as one another so im assuming they would?

[GTSBoy]

Only if you go through both wiring diagrams point for point and prove it to yourself. Just because the plugs are the same means nothing. 2 Subarus from the same line, on the same basic body, the same year of manufacture, can have wires swapped around in the same plug. Here you're talking about 2 completely different models (no matter how similar the two cars are, they came from different cycles and there's a million opportunities for it to change).

[Murfyy]

6 hours ago, GTSBoy said:

Only if you go through both wiring diagrams point for point and prove it to yourself. Just because the plugs are the same means nothing. 2 Subarus from the same line, on the same basic body, the same year of manufacture, can have wires swapped around in the same plug. Here you're talking about 2 completely different models (no matter how similar the two cars are, they came from different cycles and there's a million opportunities for it to change).

Understood thank you! Gonna whip out the multi meter this weekend and try see the issue for my climate control not working, hoping it’s a simple issue like a bad ground or something. Will keep this thread updated 

[tridentt150v]

Have you tried a reset yet?  Disconnect the battery, headlights or brakes on etc then power up again......a long shot but maybe worth a try?

[Murfyy]

Just now, tridentt150v said:

Have you tried a reset yet?  Disconnect the battery, headlights or brakes on etc then power up again......a long shot but maybe worth a try?

Yeah I’ve done this, still no luck

[tridentt150v]

Ok then its a plug and loom check like GTSBoy said.

[Murfyy]

Just had an auto elec come out and test everything, all the plugs, wiring, fuses etc and it all came back working. So I’m going to assume the unit is at fault and look into getting another one of them