1994 Oldsmobile 98 Climate Control 3 dashes flashing
11-14-2018, 11:00 AM
#1
1994 Oldsmobile 98 Climate Control 3 dashes flashing
I have a low mileage, unmolested Oldsmobile 98 with a non functional climate control. Instead of functioning, the head unit just displays 3 flashing dashes. I've searched and people have posted that they've experienced this problem when they butcher up and aftermarket radio installation. In my case the stock wiring hasn't been tampered and there aren't any corrosion issues. I've even checked the connectors under the carpet.
I am at my wits end about what to do with this car. Could it be a faulty programmer? From what I understand when the climate control is displaying these dashes a tech 1 scanner can't even connect and diagnose it.
I am at my wits end about what to do with this car. Could it be a faulty programmer? From what I understand when the climate control is displaying these dashes a tech 1 scanner can't even connect and diagnose it.
11-14-2018, 02:32 PM
#2
Senior Member
True Car Nut
I have a low mileage, unmolested Oldsmobile 98 with a non functional climate control. Instead of functioning, the head unit just displays 3 flashing dashes. I've searched and people have posted that they've experienced this problem when they butcher up and aftermarket radio installation. In my case the stock wiring hasn't been tampered and there aren't any corrosion issues. I've even checked the connectors under the carpet.
I am at my wits end about what to do with this car. Could it be a faulty programmer? From what I understand when the climate control is displaying these dashes a tech 1 scanner can't even connect and diagnose it.
I am at my wits end about what to do with this car. Could it be a faulty programmer? From what I understand when the climate control is displaying these dashes a tech 1 scanner can't even connect and diagnose it.
Be careful not to select modes 01 or 02, as these are different modes and may cause you problems, if you don’t know the functions of these modes.
If you suspect you are in the wrong mode, press OFF repeatedly until you exit to normal mode. If the temperature display flashes for 2 minutes when the ignition is turned to RUN, a trouble code is set.
1. Turn ignition to RUN. Press OFF and WARM (temperature up) buttons simultaneously.
2. Watch the segment test, then the trouble codes will be displayed.
3. Code Key:
00 - No codes
10 or 110 - Ambient Temp Sensor circuit open or shorted.
13 or 113 - In-Vehicle Temp Sensor circuit open or shorted.
15 or 115 - LH Solar Sensor circuit open or shorted.
35 or 135 - Data Line failure - HVAC Control Assembly
38 or 138 - Data Line failure - PCM
40 or 140 - Driver Air Mix Motor circuit open or shorted, or not calibrated
48 or 148 - Long Term Freon Loss
52 or 152 - Keep Alive Memory lost; sets with battery disconnected
66 or 166 - Low Freon
A number (1) prefix, indicates a history trouble code.
4. Press OFF twice, once codes are displayed to end diagnostic mode, OR to clear trouble codes, press FAN DOWN three times (make sure 03 is displayed).
Once 03 is displayed, press FAN UP to clear trouble codes. Then repeatedly press OFF to end diagnostic mode.
The diagnostic mode also contains a data list mode and an override mode.
If you suspect you are in the wrong mode, press OFF repeatedly until you exit to normal mode. If the temperature display flashes for 2 minutes when the ignition is turned to RUN, a trouble code is set.
1. Turn ignition to RUN. Press OFF and WARM (temperature up) buttons simultaneously.
2. Watch the segment test, then the trouble codes will be displayed.
3. Code Key:
00 - No codes
10 or 110 - Ambient Temp Sensor circuit open or shorted.
13 or 113 - In-Vehicle Temp Sensor circuit open or shorted.
15 or 115 - LH Solar Sensor circuit open or shorted.
35 or 135 - Data Line failure - HVAC Control Assembly
38 or 138 - Data Line failure - PCM
40 or 140 - Driver Air Mix Motor circuit open or shorted, or not calibrated
48 or 148 - Long Term Freon Loss
52 or 152 - Keep Alive Memory lost; sets with battery disconnected
66 or 166 - Low Freon
A number (1) prefix, indicates a history trouble code.
4. Press OFF twice, once codes are displayed to end diagnostic mode, OR to clear trouble codes, press FAN DOWN three times (make sure 03 is displayed).
Once 03 is displayed, press FAN UP to clear trouble codes. Then repeatedly press OFF to end diagnostic mode.
The diagnostic mode also contains a data list mode and an override mode.
11-14-2018, 06:30 PM
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
So you tried step 1 and it didn't work?
11-14-2018, 07:50 PM
#5
I don't even have a warm (Temperature up button) it'* a **** that you spin.
I appreciate the help. But I think the General for some reason or another decided to not include self diagnostic features in this ECC.
I appreciate the help. But I think the General for some reason or another decided to not include self diagnostic features in this ECC.
11-14-2018, 11:32 PM
#6
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Yeah they do weird things sometimes. Can you post a picture?
11-17-2018, 09:01 AM
#7
I will post a picture of it as soon as it does it again. My phone went out and then the climate display came on after flashing dashes for two weeks. It still doesn't work right, it blows air from the defrost and makes clicking noises. I've checked vacuum hoses and I think it must be the programmer which controls both air distribution and apparently other stuff as well. The FSM describes the programmer as the "brains" of the system. Which maybe means the head unit is operating correctly and the programmer is malfunctioning, causing the dashes.
A hypothesis maybe, a shotgun approach, which is often frowned upon, but I suspect the wiring is ok, and I don't have access to a tech one scanner, and I don't really have the ability to contort and test wires going to the programmer. I'll consider myself lucky to r and r it.
The oldsmobile seems to be the stepchild of the luxobarges, if it had been a bonneville there would be a step by step guide with pictures and video by now, lol.
Also this is likely the last car I'll ever buy with auto air, it is such a nuisance!!
A hypothesis maybe, a shotgun approach, which is often frowned upon, but I suspect the wiring is ok, and I don't have access to a tech one scanner, and I don't really have the ability to contort and test wires going to the programmer. I'll consider myself lucky to r and r it.
The oldsmobile seems to be the stepchild of the luxobarges, if it had been a bonneville there would be a step by step guide with pictures and video by now, lol.
Also this is likely the last car I'll ever buy with auto air, it is such a nuisance!!
11-17-2018, 10:15 PM
#8
Senior Member
True Car Nut
I've checked vacuum hoses and I think it must be the programmer which controls both air distribution and apparently other stuff as well. The FSM describes the programmer as the "brains" of the system. Which maybe means the head unit is operating correctly and the programmer is malfunctioning, causing the dashes.
A hypothesis maybe, a shotgun approach, which is often frowned upon, but I suspect the wiring is ok, and I don't have access to a tech one scanner, and I don't really have the ability to contort and test wires going to the programmer. I'll consider myself lucky to r and r it.
A hypothesis maybe, a shotgun approach, which is often frowned upon, but I suspect the wiring is ok, and I don't have access to a tech one scanner, and I don't really have the ability to contort and test wires going to the programmer. I'll consider myself lucky to r and r it.
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Tomd4091 (11-18-2018)
11-20-2018, 04:50 PM
#10
Senior Member
True Car Nut
