Acc

[9000freak]

Seems like when it barely gets hot, everyone starts asking about how to fix their climate control, myself included.

My ACC unit has been acting funny lately. It will randomly get power and then lose it. Like it will be working fine for hours on end and then all of a sudden, it looses power. None of the buttons work and the display doesnt either. I have to take the unit out of the dash, which is a PITA because I work my way up from the ashtray taking things out, which is complicated by the fact that I am driving at the same time, but oh well.

I can press the connector into the back of the unit with a fair amount of force and it will turn on and run fine. then it will die again.

Any suggestions? maybe a new acc unit from a junkyard?

[9000freak]

Any Ideas?

[djtaylor]

Originally Posted by 9000freak

I can press the connector into the back of the unit with a fair amount of force and it will turn on and run fine. then it will die again.

Any suggestions? maybe a new acc unit from a junkyard?

If that fixes it then it sounds like a poor connection that cleaning the contacts might help with.

You could try an alternate ACC unit but given that yours works when you re-seat the connector, I'd go with contact cleaning first.

David.

[9000freak]

Ive tried cleaning the contacts and I also put di-electric grease to help the issue, It didnt help. Ill try an alternate unit.

[9000freak]

UPDATE: The grey and red wire at pin 30 was not getting a good contact. I tried shoving some di-electric grease in the front: didnt help. So I put quite a bit in the back where the connector and the wire come together. Works like a charm

[Jim Mesthene]

Dielectric grease is called that because it doesn't conduct electricity. It is not recommended to improve poor contact, but to prevent corrosion and damp.

[9000freak]

It worked. However, if it does still pose a problem, what kind of substance should I use?

[Jim Mesthene]

Originally Posted by 9000freak

It worked. However, if it does still pose a problem, what kind of substance should I use?

Either the tab that holds the terminal in the connector is weak or missing, or the terminal contacts are distorted. Either way, bending or pushing the contacts back in place is the right approach.
You managed to narrow down the problem and identify the cause, that's the hard part. If it fails again, pick at it with a probe until you get good contact. If it's working well now, ignore me and my advice.