Ac/ heat problem- suspected HVAC problem?

[blazt]

Hi so im having an issue where the climate control system, specifically the air flow knob just blinks, And stops working/ giving heat. Odd enough it works sometimes perfectly and gives heat. So I took it to a mechanic and he said it can maybe be the HVAC module or the climate control panel. Does the HVAC need programming, specifically if I buy it brand new? Is there anything else I should be aware that can lead to this issue? This is for a 2013 ram 1500 tradesman 5.7L


Replaced actuator but it didn’t do much. Just got it to work sometimes. Then climate control would start blinking and stop working. I tried disconnecting the battery to reset the hvac, would work then stop after a day.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Wild one]

It might be worth trying a new humidity sensor.Buy OEM if you do,the after market ones suck.

https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-humidity-sensor-68440808aa

 

[GTyankee]

Have you stopped by a auto parts store & asked to have them check your Ram with a SCAN Tool ?
some possible trouble codes

these codes may not even be close to your issues

"U0100" (CAN bus communication error),
"B1000" (climate control module malfunction),
"B1001" (temperature sensor circuit malfunction),
"B1002" (blower motor circuit malfunction),
"B1003" (mode door actuator circuit malfunction)

 

[Mpgrimm2]

What radio/HVAC dash setup do you have?
Pictures help. (Changes what parts may be needed and how to answer your questions).

Aftermarket/non Mopar actuators are known to be problematic & not recommended.

As stated. A code reader would be helpful.

2013's don't have a humidity sensor on any trim. (Unlike 14+ 1500's)
.

 

[Wild one]

What radio/HVAC dash setup do you have?
Pictures help. (Changes what parts may be needed and how to answer your questions).

Aftermarket/non Mopar actuators are known to be problematic & not recommended.

As stated. A code reader would be helpful.

2013's don't have a humidity sensor on any trim. (Unlike 14+ 1500's)
.

Thank-you,i did not know the 13's didn't use a humidity sensor.

 

[blazt]

Have you stopped by a auto parts store & asked to have them check your Ram with a SCAN Tool ?
some possible trouble codes

these codes may not even be close to your issues

"U0100" (CAN bus communication error),
"B1000" (climate control module malfunction),
"B1001" (temperature sensor circuit malfunction),
"B1002" (blower motor circuit malfunction),
"B1003" (mode door actuator circuit malfunction)

Crazy enough it has NO codes. Check engine isn’t even on. What’s driving me crazy is that even the mechanic didn’t know for sure what the problem is. It does however have this check engine light when the engine is off ,but goes away immediately when I turn the engine on. I heard it’s completely normal

 

[Ken226]

Crazy enough it has NO codes. Check engine isn’t even on. What’s driving me crazy is that even the mechanic didn’t know for sure what the problem is. It does however have this check engine light when the engine is off ,but goes away immediately when I turn the engine on. I heard it’s completely normal

Many codes, such as HVAC, canbus, and others won't turn on the check engine light. The check engine light is generally only activated for PCM and driveability related stuff.

Cheaper scan tools also tend to be unable to access the modules that store non-driveability related codes.

What kind of scan tool did you use?

AlfaOBD can scan the other modules, like the Bcm, RFHub, ABS, TCM, etc.

 

[blazt]

What radio/HVAC dash setup do you have?
Pictures help. (Changes what parts may be needed and how to answer your questions).

Aftermarket/non Mopar actuators are known to be problematic & not recommended.

As stated. A code reader would be helpful.

2013's don't have a humidity sensor on any trim. (Unlike 14+ 1500's)
.

There are no codes at all, I have the oem radio and control panels. The air flow knob just blinks when not working

 

[blazt]

Many codes, such as HVAC, canbus, and others won't turn on the check engine light. The check engine light is generally only activated for PCM and driveability related stuff.

Cheaper scan tools also tend to be unable to access the modules that store non-driveability related codes.

What kind of scan tool did you use?

AlfaOBD can scan the other modules, like the Bcm, RFHub, ABS, TCM, etc.

it was a cheap one on Amazon for $40. I was resolving coolant issues prior to this issue. Helped me diagnose codes and clear them

https://a.co/d/jeMfwYI

 

[RamDiver]

There are no codes at all, I have the oem radio and control panels. The air flow knob just blinks when not working

You may not be aware of any codes because of the scan tool used which is why Ken asked, what scan tool is being used.

Some of the less expensive scan tools won't be able to read certain codes.

So, what scan tool was used to determine there are no codes present?

.

 

[blazt]

You may not be aware of any codes because of the scan tool used which is why Ken asked, what scan tool is being used.

Some of the less expensive scan tools won't be able to read certain codes.

So, what scan tool was used to determine there are no codes present?

.

it was a cheap one on Amazon for $40. I was resolving coolant issues prior to this issue. Helped me diagnose codes and clear them
https://a.co/d/jeMfwYI

 

[RamDiver]

it was a cheap one on Amazon for $40. I was resolving coolant issues prior to this issue. Helped me diagnose codes and clear them
https://a.co/d/jeMfwYI

Exactly the point, a cheap scanner is junk and won't be a reliable source of info.
There may be no codes present but, we don't know that yet.

The 'no codes present' is useless. The next step in troubleshooting this issue is to find a good code reader unless you prefer the parts canon approach

.

 

[jawzs2]

Exactly the point, a cheap scanner is junk and won't be a reliable source of info.

Don't mean to sidetrack this thread, But I took a look at the scanner and this is the first thing I noticed.



That should tell you all you need to know - LOL

Agree with above, you need one that reads all modules, AlfaOBD is what I'd recommend, but Blue Driver will work as well. There are others, but I haven't used them.

 

[blazt]

Don't mean to sidetrack this thread, But I took a look at the scanner and this is the first thing I noticed.

View attachment 560755

That should tell you all you need to know - LOL

Agree with above, you need one that reads all modules, AlfaOBD is what I'd recommend, but Blue Driver will work as well. There are others, but I haven't used them.

just purchased blue driver, will let you know what i find later today. sold me because i saw it can all system modules which include HVAC,stereo etc

 

[GTyankee]

I was going to mention, real cheap scan tools
definitely will not show PENDING CODES

I now see that you do not have a 8.4 A radio, which is the RA3 Radio

Sometimes, with the RA3 radio, which is more of a Computer, than it is a radio.
There are some settings in the semi hidden functions

 

[Sherman Bird]

A 40 dollar scanner is only to read OBD codes.. It says so right there in the blurb on Amazing, er, uh, Amazon.

There are numerous "computer" modules in that truck. They use a fancy-schmancy communication system called "CAN/BUS"
This is an extremely fast communication network. You are WAY in over your head at this point, going by what I read.
The kind of scanner necessary to read and HELP a qualifies technician get to the bottom of the issue costs from 1 to 4 grand or more, and can read data THAT fast!. I use a high end DSO (Digital Storage Oscilloscope) along with a professional level scanner.

IF you try a DEEP reset, you will need a 100 ohm resistor and disconnect BOTH of the battery cables and allow them to remain "shorted" for NO MORE than 15 minute, and NO LESS than 10, with the resistor in between them. This resistor will protect the numerous computers from a "rush" discharge, which could blow a filter capacitor in any one of the computer modules, adding to your woes.

I think you'd be more pragmatic to find a qualified technician and pay him for proper diags. Then, fix it yourself. All of this "didjatry" while well meaning, is a recipe for either doing damage to electronics and or spending several thousand dollars chunking parts at the problem, and remaining in the same pickle you're in.

 

[blazt]

would it be practical to buy a obd2 scanner that’s more expensive, to diagnose that hvac problem

 

[Sherman Bird]

would it be practical to buy a obd2 scanner that’s more expensive, to diagnose that hvac problem

I do not know. Can you use a DSO? What are your skill levels? Can you justify the expense?

 

[blazt]

I was looking at the thinkdiag2