[SOLVED] ES/CJ Climate Control System Broken After AC Evaporator Foam Cleaning
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2024 12:12 am
Hi,
I got some CRC Auto AC Pro Cleaner from Super Cheap Auto here in Australia
I put the hose that it comes with up the passenger footwell vent as this is the closest place I assumed it could reach the evaporator
I also put some down the two main vents above the radio and my driver side vent (right side here in Australia). Seems to have worked okay but the liquid has pooled in the vents. They'll dry after running the heat for a while though so after the foam sat for 1 hour so the remainder turned to liquid, I then started my CJ 2010 Lancer and set the AC to heat once the engine warmed up. There were some drips on my leg meaning the foam had turned to liquid and after about 5 minutes, the climate control panel triggered the outside air (recirculation) to incoming which I thought was rather odd. Nonetheless, I pressed the recirculate button and it went back into recirculate internal mode (since I don't want to breathe in Diesel fumes and also ruin my cabin filter). Anyway, after 30 seconds, the entire climate control system shut off and just died. When I start the car, it's now stuck on heat which is going to absolutely suck for the hot day we have tomorrow (35 Celsius).
I thought the fuse probably went because the foam which has turned to liquid shorted something out. However, after turning the car off and back on, the recirculate light was blinking rapidly and the climate control was still dead but it means it still has some power as far as I can tell. I am now worried that I have fried or killed something.
This is the climate control cluster I am talking about by the way
Does anyone have any idea what I should check? I'll provide updates along the way as I find them.
Notable points:
* When the car starts, I can hear the system moving the vent position to some position I don't know.
* The blower motor is running at a low speed automatically.
I have checked both the cabin and engine fuses for the AC system and they are all fine.
I am now thinking the liquid has indeed shorted or fried the AC controls or AC heater control unit.
The climate control lights on the instrument cluster are now completely dead and nothing is flashing anymore.
EDIT: The climate control instrument cluster is now working and operational again. I didn't do anything except leave my car parked outside on a 35 degree (Celsius) day for about 6 hours which to my understanding would have dried any moisture trapped in what I believe was an electrical harness causing it to short. It was nice seeing the climate control working so I could use the AC again. Anyway, lesson learnt here is probably to not put the foam directly into the AC vents. Instead, it might be better to put it into the drain tube from underneath the Lancer (jack or hoist required however).
I got some CRC Auto AC Pro Cleaner from Super Cheap Auto here in Australia
I put the hose that it comes with up the passenger footwell vent as this is the closest place I assumed it could reach the evaporator
I also put some down the two main vents above the radio and my driver side vent (right side here in Australia). Seems to have worked okay but the liquid has pooled in the vents. They'll dry after running the heat for a while though so after the foam sat for 1 hour so the remainder turned to liquid, I then started my CJ 2010 Lancer and set the AC to heat once the engine warmed up. There were some drips on my leg meaning the foam had turned to liquid and after about 5 minutes, the climate control panel triggered the outside air (recirculation) to incoming which I thought was rather odd. Nonetheless, I pressed the recirculate button and it went back into recirculate internal mode (since I don't want to breathe in Diesel fumes and also ruin my cabin filter). Anyway, after 30 seconds, the entire climate control system shut off and just died. When I start the car, it's now stuck on heat which is going to absolutely suck for the hot day we have tomorrow (35 Celsius).
I thought the fuse probably went because the foam which has turned to liquid shorted something out. However, after turning the car off and back on, the recirculate light was blinking rapidly and the climate control was still dead but it means it still has some power as far as I can tell. I am now worried that I have fried or killed something.
This is the climate control cluster I am talking about by the way
Does anyone have any idea what I should check? I'll provide updates along the way as I find them.
Notable points:
* When the car starts, I can hear the system moving the vent position to some position I don't know.
* The blower motor is running at a low speed automatically.
I have checked both the cabin and engine fuses for the AC system and they are all fine.
I am now thinking the liquid has indeed shorted or fried the AC controls or AC heater control unit.
The climate control lights on the instrument cluster are now completely dead and nothing is flashing anymore.
EDIT: The climate control instrument cluster is now working and operational again. I didn't do anything except leave my car parked outside on a 35 degree (Celsius) day for about 6 hours which to my understanding would have dried any moisture trapped in what I believe was an electrical harness causing it to short. It was nice seeing the climate control working so I could use the AC again. Anyway, lesson learnt here is probably to not put the foam directly into the AC vents. Instead, it might be better to put it into the drain tube from underneath the Lancer (jack or hoist required however).