How to Add Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) to a Manual Temperature Control Truck

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Ramagain

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Just completed a 8.4 RA4 w/ Nav mod on my 2013 Tradesman 3500 dually w/RA1, manual rear view mirror, manual 4 speed HVAC, and cab clearance lights. No camera or park sense.
-Used source parts all came out of a loaded 2016 1500 Sport CC 4x4.

Parts used:
-M2 Mods 7 speed harness with ATC and dual zone option. ( will be installing HVAC plenum from the donor truck with dual zone A/C).
-New 68048901AA 7 speed resistor.
-New HVAC control module pn 68105017AE
-2016 rear view mirror w/ mic, auto dim, and rain sense. (Deleted humidity sensor and related wires from the wire harness and pinned out the connector for the cab lights + feed and wired "in line" the ground feed for the cab lights.)
-2016 8.4 NA RA4 (w/active sirius travel link sub) winning!!!
-2016 ATC sensor
-2016 Dual Zone bezel
- Alfa OBD software ver 2.1.9.5
-Obd MX+ BT link model # MX201

Plug and play. Set dual zone ATC parameters, waited a min then pulled radio fuse for a few min. Set single zone ATC, waited a min the pulled radio fuse for a few min.

Initial startup went without a hitch. All manual and touch screen functions operate without hesitation. Didn't know I could use voice command for the climate control. Have used voice texting however and that worked as expected.

Notes: 2016 fan blower from the 1500 has a built in resistor so I had to purchase a new separate Denso resistor. I was unaware of this until Monday. 2016 HVAC wire harness is not cross compatible for this mod as is the blower. HVAC module is also incompatible. The 2016 lower blower box is also not compatible without modification. It has no cutout for the resistor since it's part of the motor assy.

Overall very stoked. Auto dim mirror assy. w/harness cost me 50, the head unit was 400, the bezel was free as was the HVAC assy. The new HVAC module and resistor came out to 125-ish. Wiring kit $ ***.XX (see M2 mods price list w/options.)
50 for the Alfa app and 40-ish for the OBD dongle.
Total was well under 1k.
I was quoted a price for this setup from an outside source of 1500+ and would be stuck with an OBD genie that was nothing more than a paperweight after its only use and still would have had to purchase the rearview mirror assy and OBD genie...
Thanks Mike!
, Shawn
 
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warrantchief

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I seemingly have no issue with the upper vents when selected manually or the defrost vents when I press the front defrost button. Answers to the questionnaire below.

@NWhunt , @Ramcummins , @rob cr5, @RWOLVES @jon C lawrence
@00R/T @Ricks Ram @STecoD , @DeereGuy @Jimmy07

Anyone else run into this issue when enabling Single Zone ATC?

**********

Include your

- Year/model/trim of truck/original fan speed

2018 3500 g56 tradesman with a 4 speed fan.

- Original radio/new radio model (& new pn)

original was the 5" and I replaced with a UAQ p/n 68332631AK

- 8.4 HVAC module PN (bought new or used?)

new from mpgrimm2, not sure of p/n

- Fan resistor you used (New OEM, Used OEM, or Clone?)

new oem

- Conversion Harness: ie 4 or 7 speed w/Sgl Zone ATC support

7 speed with single zone atc support

- Cabin Temp Sensor and/or humidity sensor (New or Used or Clone?)

New cabin temp sensor (no humidity)

- what you used to program: AlfaOBD PC or Android/OBDLink MX BT & steps you did (battery vs radio fuse pull between steps?)

--> & what SW version of AlfaOBD you used!?

2.1.9.5 on Android with OBDLink MX BT. I pulled the fuse for 2-3 minutes between both steps of the ATC update. The first one took immediately, the second had to marinate a little bit before sirius and single zone atc showed up.
 
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RWOLVES

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IF EVER YOUR AIR ALL OF A SUDDEN QUITS BLOWING OR SPORADICALLY CUTS ON AND OFF TRY THIS, MINE STARTED DOING THIS, AND THIS VIDEO HELPED FIX IT.
 

MontyNC

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Using alfa obd, how long after pulling the battery did it take for single zone atc to reset? UAQ Radio. I have tried to let it set with the battery off for 1 hour. It will not go into single zone atc from dual zone atc.
 

crash68

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Using alfa obd, how long after pulling the battery did it take for single zone atc to reset? UAQ Radio. I have tried to let it set with the battery off for 1 hour. It will not go into single zone atc from dual zone atc.
When I did my '15, I didn't pull the battery when making the change after setting to Dual ATC or Single ATC. It changed from Dual to Single somewhere between 5 to 10 minutes.
 

MontyNC

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-Here is my procedure
-Verified it was single zone mtc
-Changed it to dual zone atc
-Removed negative battery cable for 1 hour
-Reattached batter cable
-Sirius xm button did not show up
-Dual sliders are present and reads dual zone in bcm
Set it to single zone atc
Unhooked battery for 1 hour
Reattached battery
Sirius xm button is missing
Dual sliders are still present
Bcm reads single zone atc

I can't figure out whats going on. My next step is to update the firmware.
 

cclark019

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-Here is my procedure
-Verified it was single zone mtc
-Changed it to dual zone atc
-Removed negative battery cable for 1 hour
-Reattached batter cable
-Sirius xm button did not show up
-Dual sliders are present and reads dual zone in bcm
Set it to single zone atc
Unhooked battery for 1 hour
Reattached battery
Sirius xm button is missing
Dual sliders are still present
Bcm reads single zone atc

I can't figure out whats going on. My next step is to update the firmware.

Just pull the inline radio fuse that is near the brake booster for a minute or so.


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cclark019

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Just pull the inline radio fuse that is near the brake booster for a minute or so.


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You also may need to cycle the ignition a couple times for the radio to reset.


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MontyNC

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Left the fuse off overnight, put the fuse in cycled the key a couple of times then let it sit an hour. Now its at where it needs to be. Thanks everyone for your help.
 

Beemer533

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So just to double check before I proceed with this mod;

I have a 2014 2500 big horn and when I pulled the knee panel out, it looks like I am pre-wired for the sensor (black connector):
20210110_130514.jpg

So I think all I need to do is add the sensor PN 55111178AC and program with Alpha?

As an aside, does anyone know what this white connector is for? It was basically right next to the black connector when I pulled the knee panel out.

Thanks!
20210110_130508.jpg
 

Ricks Ram

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So just to double check before I proceed with this mod;

I have a 2014 2500 big horn and when I pulled the knee panel out, it looks like I am pre-wired for the sensor (black connector):
View attachment 233525

So I think all I need to do is add the sensor PN 55111178AC and program with Alpha?

As an aside, does anyone know what this white connector is for? It was basically right next to the black connector when I pulled the knee panel out.

Thanks!
View attachment 233526
The white connector is for non memory adjustable pedals. The black connector is for the interior temp sensor. You will also need to install the humidity sensor as well that mounts to the windshield on the right side of mirror if your truck is a 14 up 1500. If you don't install the humidity sensor your compressor will run continuously whenever you have the climate control adjusted to any setting in manual or auto mode. If you have a 13 1500 or a 2500/3500 up to18 the humidity sensor is not required because you won't have the variable rate compressor so you should be ok.

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Beemer533

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Great, thanks for the confirmation. I've got a 2014 2500, so it looks like I don't need the humidity sensor.
 

Ricks Ram

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Great, thanks for the confirmation. I've got a 2014 2500, so it looks like I don't need the humidity sensor.
No, you don't need one. I usually post the full explanation just because in many cases other members may see it and be confused as to why they did or didn't need it when someone else did. Just makes it easier so the thread doesn't go back and forth forever.

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Beemer533

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No problem, that makes sense. I can't see signatures on the mobile browser, so I wasn't sure if you had seen mine.

Well, I just ordered the sensor, definitely looking forward to this mod.
 

Beemer533

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My sensor came in yesterday and I got it installed with no issues. It is really nice to have ATC for sure!

Thanks guys for the writeup and help..
 

Hardtime

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So just to double check before I proceed with this mod;

I have a 2014 2500 big horn and when I pulled the knee panel out, it looks like I am pre-wired for the sensor (black connector):

Beemer, thank you so much for noticing this and posting! I have been waiting a couple of weeks for Mike G. to come back online so I could put an order in for the ATC harness. When I saw your post I literally ran out to my 2015 Big Horn 3500 to check -- it was pre-wired for the temp sensor just like yours!

Quick question: did you check the connector for HVAC module (next to the glove box), or do we just assume that we have correct harness if the temp sensor harness is present?

Thanks again!
 

Ricks Ram

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My sensor came in yesterday and I got it installed with no issues. It is really nice to have ATC for sure!

Thanks guys for the writeup and help..
It's definitely a nice feature. In the summer mine pretty much stays on auto 24/7. I keep in manual a lot in the fall and spring and just run the vent to try not to put to much wear and tear on the compressor since it's always engaged when you are on auto.

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Beemer533

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Beemer, thank you so much for noticing this and posting! I have been waiting a couple of weeks for Mike G. to come back online so I could put an order in for the ATC harness. When I saw your post I literally ran out to my 2015 Big Horn 3500 to check -- it was pre-wired for the temp sensor just like yours!

Quick question: did you check the connector for HVAC module (next to the glove box), or do we just assume that we have correct harness if the temp sensor harness is present?

Thanks again!

No problem, glad to save you some cash!

I'm not sure which harness you are referring to, unless you mean for the humidity sensor?

Since I have a 2014 2500 I don't have a humidity sensor and actually as you have a 3500 you don't either. Everything seems to be working correctly, so it's likely you'll be in the same position as you are pre wired as well.
 

Beemer533

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It's definitely a nice feature. In the summer mine pretty much stays on auto 24/7. I keep in manual a lot in the fall and spring and just run the vent to try not to put to much wear and tear on the compressor since it's always engaged when you are on auto.

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Is the Compressor always on in auto? I thought it would only be on for defrost or AC...

Well, good to know for sure, I don't want to run it continuously
 
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