The HVAC controlboxis located behind the dashboard of your wrangler controlled by knobs on thedashboard. It’s inaccessible unless you remove thepanel housing the controls and the electrical harnesses.The three knobs control the temperature, fan speed,and where the air goes.In this article, we are going to see the step-by-step process to replace HVAC Control box on jeep wrangler
The HVAC controlboxis used to control all the features of the A/Csystem in your wrangler electronically. It has sensorsthatread data inside and outside your wrangler and usestheanalyzeddatato readjust the A/Csystemto keep the interior of your wrangler comfortable for both the driver and passengers.
The HVAC controlboxrarelyfails,and when you notice the A/C system is not working,you need to diagnose the cause. It could bedue to: broken cooling fans, refrigerant leak, a faulty air compressor, a faulty condenser,or electrical problems thatareeither related to the HVAC controlboxor the rest of theA/C system.
If all of these check out to be in good working condition,the HVACboxhas an issue.The HVAC controlboxshows some signs when faulty or failing.
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What are the signs of a faulty or failing HVAC controlboxon jeep wrangler?
A faulty or failing HVAC control box can be very dangerous sometimes. You have to often then and now check for any signs of failing HVAC control box if you are a hardcore off-roading enthusiast.
As the dust and dirt getting into the vehicle may also lead to the failure of HVAC control box on jeep wrangler. Below are some of the most common signs of a faulty HVAC control box.
Uneven air distribution in the cabin.
There areseveralvents in your wrangler’s cabin. The HVAC controlboxis responsible for directing air from the A/C system to the vents.If you notice that some parts of the cabin are warmer or colder than others,it means that a specific vent in that part is not blowing air or you might notice that the air does not reachspecificvents when you change the settings on the controls.
The HVACboxis a computerized electrical system for the A/C system. When the HVACbox’s software isout ofdate,you’llhave to update it. Manufactures issuedupdates for the wrangler’s HVACboxonce in a few years,but if yours is faultydue to a software failure or has a bug,you’ll have to get it updated sooner than you expected
Uneven heating and cooling.
You may notice thatyou’re the A/C does not cool the cabin well enough as you want it toregardless of the controls you select and does not heatsufficientwhen you want it to.IftheA/C system is in good working condition, the HVAC boxneeds a software update or a replacement unit.
Fansarenot running.TheHVAC controlboxcontrols the fans that regulate the air temperature in your cabin. Ifthere is an issue with thebox,the fans will not work. The cold or hot air will blow lightly over the vents. The cabin will overheat orbecome cold according to the outside weather condition.
AC compressor not coming on
The air compressor is alsopowered andcontrolled by the HVACbox.It turns the air compressor on when turnedon,thus blowing cold or hot hair depending on the temperature settings you’ve set. If it does not turn on orturn off after turning it on,theboxhas a problem.
Some A/C parts might overheat.
The HVAC controls the whole A/C system,and if you notice some parts of the A/C,such as the air compressor overheating more than others.You need to diagnose this as early as possible as overheating causes more damageto the A/C components. You’ll end up spending more than you had expected.
If thecontrol knobs on the control panel of the HVAC unit blink on and off for about 30 seconds when you start your wrangler,then theboxhas a problem. When the light on the knobs blinks,and youcan control your HVAC system,it’s not an issue with the HVACbox. You need to have the rest of your HVAC system checked.
How to replace the HVAC boxon Jeep wrangler?
The HVAC Box on the jeep wrangler can be replaced by the removal of all dashboard control boxes and also any type of electrical commodities. Then you have to install the new HVAC control panel and module on the jeep wrangler. You can refer to the step-by-step process of removing and installing the HVAC control panel and module on the jeep wrangler below.
Removal of dashboard controls and electrical harnesses on jeep wrangler
- Remove anything extra on the dashboard,such asphone mounts, radios,and adaptors.
- Remove the dust tray on top of the dash by prying it outto reveal a bolt underneath the tray, remove the bolt and set it aside.
- Remove the window switches that are located between thevents. To remove the vents, twist and turn them,then push them downwards.This will provide a space that a screwdriver can go through to the vent’s ring to a hole on the top part of the ring. Insert the screwdriver there, lift gently on the ring,then turn it. You can now pull the vent out.
- Reach into the opening where the vent was to thewindow control housing tab,then push the bottom of the tap. Once the baseis out,you can start prying out the rest of the tab with your fingers or a plastic prying tool.
- At the back of the window control,there is a wiring harness. Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the red tabsby pushing one end with the screwdriver,then pull the other end with your nail.
- After removing the red clip,pull the harness of the window controls tab gently and wiggle it if it’s hard to remove,then set the window control tab aside.
Removal of dashboard panels on jeep wrangler
- Remove the panel that is underneath the steering column. It’s held into place by clips. Start by pulling the front end of thepaneldownwards,then slide it out.
- Remove the screws on the bottom part of the steering column where it meets the dashboard, drop the steering column down, andlock it into position.
- Remove the panel thatstarts from the driver’s side coveringto where the dust tray is. You cangrab it from near the driver’s door and the ashtray,then yank it outbut do not remove italtogether.It’sheld into place by clips,and you don’t have to remove any screws.
- Remove the screw where you removed the window controlsthen you can nowaltogetherremove the panel.
Removing and installing hvac control panel and module on jeep wrangler
- On the control panel of the HVAC system,there are two tabsthatyou have to pull up and out gently. Do not pull it outentirely,as you will destroy the electrical harnesses at the back of the panel.
- Remove all the electrical harnessesthat will allow you to remove the controls panel and enable you to access the panel’s backside.
- Remove the screwsthat hold the controls onto the panel. There are four screws on the cover,each screw being located at every corner.
- Once you have removed it, align the old module with the new module and ensure all electrical ports are in the same location and the exact number. Check the part number, and if the last letter is different, the control panel has had an upgrade or is from another supplier. For example, the old module has an A at the end, and the new one has a B at the end.
- Suppose they match in in part number and the number and arrangement of electrical ports. In that case, you canstart reinstalling everything,ensuring you don’t confuse the old panel with the new panel.
- Ensure you reinstall everybolt and electrical harness you had removed,then test all thenew control panel features.
Conclusion
Theprimaryfunction of the A/C system is to keep thecabin of the wrangler cool or warm for its occupant,depending on the weather.If the weather is too hot or too cold,it causes discomfort to the occupants. Temperature discomfort when drivingcauses uneasiness to the driver,and it might lead to an accident.
A faulty A/C control modulekeeps the A/C system in good working order. Anyminorissue needs to be addressed before it turns to somethingsignificantsuch ascausing damage to the air compressor,which is the mostessentialcomponent of the A/C system.
If there is winter weather and you can’t use the A/C system, defrosting the car’s windshieldis hard if you don’t have a window defroster on your windshield. Heating up the A/C defrosts the windshield, something you won’t be able to do with a faulty control module.
Suppose the cabin is not warm enough and you don’t have to defrost on the windshields. In that case, visibility is poor,and you might end up getting into an accident.
The A/C systemalso playsa role in cooling the engine. If the A/C system cannot be controlled,the engine may overheat,especially during hot weather.
