Erratic Climate Control

[darleyhavidson]

Replaced blend door actuators, replaced HVAC control module and replaced center stack.

I am having issues with vent selection. For example, if I hit front defrost the air will come out the face vents only. If I select foot vent it will come out the defrost.

I have had the 2013 RAM 1500, with auto temp control, at the dealership for the last 2 days and they have no idea.

They think it might be the 8.4 Radio Screen that needs an update. They tried updating it but it wouldn't take.

Thoughts?

 

[Princeton_Man]

Has anyone tried completely disconnecting the radio to clear it, then reconnecting?

 

[darleyhavidson]

Has anyone tried completely disconnecting the radio to clear it, then reconnecting?

I don't believe the dealership did anything like that. But, I can sure give it a try. Do I have to leave it unhooked for a certain amount of time?

Also, what is the difference between unplugging the radio and a "soft reset" I believe the soft reset instructions are as follows, but I am not sure if it is year specific:

1. Ensure your vehicle is in park and in “Run” mode.
2. Press and hold down the volume and tuner knob buttons at the same time.
3. Hold down the knobs for 10 – 20 seconds.
4. After holding down the knobs, the screen should flash your vehicle brand name and then go dark.
5. After a few moments the brand name will return, the system will reinitialize, and it will return you to the main UConnect screen.

 

[Princeton_Man]

I don't believe the dealership did anything like that. But, I can sure give it a try. Do I have to leave it unhooked for a certain amount of time?

Also, what is the difference between unplugging the radio and a "soft reset" I believe the soft reset instructions are as follows, but I am not sure if it is year specific:

1. Ensure your vehicle is in park and in “Run” mode.
2. Press and hold down the volume and tuner knob buttons at the same time.
3. Hold down the knobs for 10 – 20 seconds.
4. After holding down the knobs, the screen should flash your vehicle brand name and then go dark.
5. After a few moments the brand name will return, the system will reinitialize, and it will return you to the main UConnect screen.

I should state that I'm only guessing at this. While my background in electronics and IT is extensive, I have no experience with Uconnect systems. A soft reset is like rebooting a computer, configuration settings and data stored in memory are retained. Unless there is a memory backup battery in the unit, completely disconnecting it will most likely clear all of the current settings and set it back to the default settings that it had when it was first installed at the factory/dealer.

 

[RamCares]

Replaced blend door actuators, replaced HVAC control module and replaced center stack.

I am having issues with vent selection. For example, if I hit front defrost the air will come out the face vents only. If I select foot vent it will come out the defrost.

I have had the 2013 RAM 1500, with auto temp control, at the dealership for the last 2 days and they have no idea.

They think it might be the 8.4 Radio Screen that needs an update. They tried updating it but it wouldn't take.

Thoughts?

I'm very sorry to hear this. Have you had a case open for this concern? If not, I would be happy to help! Please send us a private message.

Alison
RamCares

 

[darleyhavidson]

I'm very sorry to hear this. Have you had a case open for this concern? If not, I would be happy to help! Please send us a private message.

Alison
RamCares

PM Sent

 

[darleyhavidson]

Update: Had the heater core replaced, while the dash was pulled out I had local mechanic install an OEM blend door actuator that is next to firewall. After assembly the HVAC issues still existed, one of the Dorman brand replacement blend door actuators failed. Replaced with an OEM BDA and lo and behold the HVAC control issues were rectified. Unfortunately, I cannot definitively say what the issue was. If I had to guess it was the firewall BDA, that I could not access to replace, that went bad. I tested the Dorman brand BDAs after they were installed and they functioned like they were suppose to, but somewhere along the line, one failed. At any rate, after months and thousands of dollars, I finally have heat, when and where I want it.

Oh, and never, ever, ever use a dealership for non-warranty work. They literally have no idea on how to troubleshoot problems, if the diagnostic tool doesn't tell them what the issue is, they are blind. They literally were guessing and asking me to purchase parts that may or may not fix the problem. And they failed to tell me that the purchased electric/electronic parts (based on their recommendation) were non-returnable once used (even though it was determined the part was not the problem). And this was based on their "expert" troubleshooting skills. If you can't do the repair yourself, find a local mechanic that is trusted, you will be better off in the end.