Climate control panel suddenly stopped working.

[aquariuscsm]

This happened on my gf`s 1998 Olds 88

Yesterday on the way home from the coast,I tried to turn on the a/c. It wouldn`t come one at all. I turned the fan speen knob back and fourth a few times as well as the knob that controls which vents the a/c blows out of. I could here the gates inside the dash opening and closing,but the unit would still not come on and blow air out. I tried it again and it started working.

After driving for awhile with the a/c on full blast,I attempted to turn the fan speen down,and when I did,the a/c stopped working again and hasn`t come back on since.

Do I need to replace that entire panel that has the a/c knobs? If so,where`s the best place to buy a replacement and what`s the easiest/recommended way to remove it?

It`s the base analog/knob climate control panel and not the digital one.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I would check and replace the blower motor resistor first. Unplug the blower motor and use jumper wires to connect 12 volts and ground and see if it operates. Having only high speed on the fan working is classic indication the resistor pack is bad. The HVAC doors opening and closing also would at least sort of rule out the control panel. I don't know where the resistor is on your gf's Olds but it should be mounted in the HVAC housing somewhere near the blower motor itself. I'd start by removing the glove box liner and looking for it there, it's probably on top of the housing in her GM car. It may even be charred or melted which would be an obvious indication it's defective. Haynes book might give the exact location.

You can also visit http://www.aircondition.com for some of the best info and forums on the net for automotive AC. If you need a new resistor pack it should not be very expensive, but get it at a GM dealer. Aftermarket ones are generally not that reliable.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I pulled the climate control panel out of the dash this afternoon. The wires going to the fan speed knob were melted/burned. I read on an Olds chat forum that the a/c control panels (HVAC Control heads) are very unreliable parts on those cars.

I ordered a "guaranteed used" ac/heater control panel from O`Reilly`s today. Cost was $173 vs over $300 for a dealer part (if it`s the correct part). Hopefully it is so we won`t have to head to the stealership.

 

[aquariuscsm]

*spell check on original post*

I just got through reading my original post and can`t stop laughing at all my typos! Guess the 8 hour drive yesterday still has my head all messed up!