Auto climate control activation

[GringoRingo]

I’m about to install the auto climate control harnesses from M2 (Thanks guys!) and the required sensors to upgrade my manual climate control to automatic.

I did not buy the standalone programmer to activate the feature on the truck. I talked to my dealer who said they will “attempt” to do the activation for an hour of labor, which is much cheaper than buying the programmer. I had them activate the trailer brake controller I installed, so I’m guessing this is the same concept. They of course won’t guarantee it will work - I get it since this isn’t factory or dealer supplied.

Is there any reason why this wouldn’t work, or should I just suck it up and buy the $200 programmer?

 

[WTM75]

Someone with more knowledge on this may chime in, but I don’t think single zone ATC is an option on our trucks, which means the dealer will not be able to add it. I think you have 2 options to activate the ATC. The first is get an OBDGenie from Infotainment, $200-300. Or you can activate it yourself for about $120, with AlphaOBD ($50) and the MX OBD Bluetooth adapter ($70). I went with AlphaOBD, you can do a LOT of other stuff with it and it is very easy to use. See the thread in the DIY section.

 

[Ricks Ram]

I’m about to install the auto climate control harnesses from M2 (Thanks guys!) and the required sensors to upgrade my manual climate control to automatic.

I did not buy the standalone programmer to activate the feature on the truck. I talked to my dealer who said they will “attempt” to do the activation for an hour of labor, which is much cheaper than buying the programmer. I had them activate the trailer brake controller I installed, so I’m guessing this is the same concept. They of course won’t guarantee it will work - I get it since this isn’t factory or dealer supplied.

Is there any reason why this wouldn’t work, or should I just suck it up and buy the $200 programmer?

Depending on what trim level your truck is the dealer might be able to activate your dual zone ATC. Example would be maybe you have a 17 Bighorn where dual zone ATC was an option but your truck just didn't come with it it may be available for the dealer to activate in your BCM and it may not. The problem is your truck is not capable of dual zone ATC because you don't have the correct components in your HVAC system for it to work. The dealer can ONLY activate codes that are available in your Vin#. (The dealer CANNOT activate the single zone ATC in your truck) It is not an option on any Ram truck from the factory so it will not be available to them to activate. If you purchase the Genie to activate the code it is sometimes problematic and you can't remove the code you can only add it. Many people had issues when using the Genie to activate the ATC. I would reccomend purchasing the (alpha tool) app from the Google play store for $49 and the OBD Link MX adaptor for $69 and just turn it on yourself. The ad alpha thread has gotten extremely large and it can seem intimidating but the tool is extremely simple to use. You need to add the (dual zone ATC) and then once it loads enable the (single zone ATC) and your done. As stated the tool can be used to add just about anything you want if you decide to add more options in the future. If you decide to use the alpha tool I recommend checking out the beginning of the alpha thread for known codes that have worked. I have activated the single zone ATC in several trucks with mine. If you have any questions after you have read the procedure just post them on the thread and they will be answered quickly. There are a lot of knowledgeable helpful people who keep an eye on it to answer questions. It's easy to do once you understand how to use the tool.

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[GringoRingo]

Thanks guys, this is very helpful. I was afraid that might be the case. I’d prefer the alpha obd option over a single use programmer, but I run apple products - don’t think it’s compatible.

 

[Ricks Ram]

Thanks guys, this is very helpful. I was afraid that might be the case. I’d prefer the alpha obd option over a single use programmer, but I run apple products - don’t think it’s compatible.

I highly recommend using the alpha tool even if you need to go to Walmart and purchase an inexpensive tablet you will still be money ahead and have a TON more capability. There's a reason the alpha thread has gotten so big and so many of us use it. This tool is one of the biggest breakthroughs I have seen in years as far as adding features to these trucks. The Genie can be used to activate ONE code for $200 to $300 dollars . You can't remove the code you can only enable it. There have been a lot of people who have had issues when using the Genie to add the codes to there trucks. The alpha tool has a hundred times the capability of the one use Genie. If you load the code with a genie and for whatever reason it doesn't work you have no way of looking in your BCM to see if the code actually set or to even diagnose what is wrong. The alpha tool will give you all those capabilities which makes troubleshooting a breeze should you have an issue. I can also guarantee you if you bought the tool you would end up enabling a ton of other features just because you would see that they're in there to activate such as DRL's,Heated Vented Seats Heated Wheel global windows down,power folding mirrors,mirror blinker lights,puddle lights ect, pretty much any feature you can think of. You can also use the tool to program your keys or change your tire size. Every BCM has all the Chrysler codes loaded in it from the factory. When your particular truck is built your BCM is flashed to show only the codes that are allowed in that trim level and then the codes that are assigned to your particular Vin# are enabled. The dealer can only see the codes available to your trim level and that's all they can activate. The alpha tool sees all codes in your BCM and you can enable them if you choose. Sorry to be long winded just trying to give you as much info as possible for you to make the best decision.

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[Tumbleweed]

Good thought on getting a cheap Android tablet. I, too will only use Apple products.

 

[pdvirgin]

I highly recommend using the alpha tool even if you need to go to Walmart and purchase an inexpensive tablet you will still be money ahead and have a TON more capability. There's a reason the alpha thread has gotten so big and so many of us use it. This tool is one of the biggest breakthroughs I have seen in years as far as adding features to these trucks. The Genie can be used to activate ONE code for $200 to $300 dollars . You can't remove the code you can only enable it. There have been a lot of people who have had issues when using the Genie to add the codes to there trucks. The alpha tool has a hundred times the capability of the one use Genie. If you load the code with a genie and for whatever reason it doesn't work you have no way of looking in your BCM to see if the code actually set or to even diagnose what is wrong. The alpha tool will give you all those capabilities which makes troubleshooting a breeze should you have an issue. I can also guarantee you if you bought the tool you would end up enabling a ton of other features just because you would see that they're in there to activate such as DRL's,Heated Vented Seats Heated Wheel global windows down,power folding mirrors,mirror blinker lights,puddle lights ect, pretty much any feature you can think of. You can also use the tool to program your keys or change your tire size. Every BCM has all the Chrysler codes loaded in it from the factory. When your particular truck is built your BCM is flashed to show only the codes that are allowed in that trim level and then the codes that are assigned to your particular Vin# are enabled. The dealer can only see the codes available to your trim level and that's all they can activate. The alpha tool sees all codes in your BCM and you can enable them if you choose. Sorry to be long winded just trying to give you as much info as possible for you to make the best decision.

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Thanks for this info, so with the OBD2 adapter and the app I could add global window controls? I have a 17 Laramie it has most bells and whistles I could want, but being able to lower the windows to let the cab air out on a hot day would be a great feature.
Thanks again.

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[Ricks Ram]

Good thought on getting a cheap Android tablet. I, too will only use Apple products.

I am an android guy so it was a no brainer for me, that being said for the Apple guys buying an android tablet to run the app is an inexpensive way to utilize the app which is well worth the money.

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[Ricks Ram]

Thanks for this info, so with the OBD2 adapter and the app I could add global window controls? I have a 17 Laramie it has most bells and whistles I could want, but being able to lower the windows to let the cab air out on a hot day would be a great feature.
Thanks again.

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Yes you can enable the global windows down plus a ton of other features such as DRL's ect. Of coarse a Laramie already has most of the bells and whistles already. I reccomend checking the alpha thread.

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[GringoRingo]

Thanks for the tips, guys. Installed alfaOBD on the laptop last night and installed the sensors and harnesses today. Will activate as soon as Amazon delivers the Bluetooth adaptor.

 

[JB1]

Thanks for the tips, guys. Installed alfaOBD on the laptop last night and installed the sensors and harnesses today. Will activate as soon as Amazon delivers the Bluetooth adaptor.

Excellent

 

[GringoRingo]

Got after it this morning with the AlfaOBD tool. Flashed it to dual arc and everything is working as expected - temp, fan speed, and vents all adjusting properly for a single zone. The flash for single zone ATC failed, so will have to sort that out later today. I may be out of sequence or not have waited long enough.

 

[Ricks Ram]

View attachment 154486 View attachment 154487 Got after it this morning with the AlfaOBD tool. Flashed it to dual arc and everything is working as expected - temp, fan speed, and vents all adjusting properly for a single zone. The flash for single zone ATC failed, so will have to sort that out later today. I may be out of sequence or not have waited long enough.

I reccomend flashing it back to single zone MTC and waiting until your sure it completely takes. And then start the sequence again. Flash the dual zone ATC and verify it takes. I Recommend I one waiting through several ignition on off cycles before activating the single zone ATC. I personally don't turn the system on or adjust any of the features when it's on dual zone because I don't want to get any DTC codes. After you set the single zone ATC give it plenty of time to take as well. I haven't used the windows version of the tool so I can't comment on whether or not it works as well as the android version but I am assuming it should. Just make sure you give it plenty of time between settings. Good luck let us know how it goes.

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[GringoRingo]

Success! Drove it to work and back then reattempted the single zone ATC after shutting down. It worked perfectly and all functions appear to be intact. Thanks for the guidance and saving me some money and heartache with the dealer route