AC Control Panel fries out with puff of smoke

[SunlitComet]

got it ... will be back.

 

[wahoo_wes]

hows these?

 

[SunlitComet]

Pretty sure it is the temp circuit so test that out first.

 

[wahoo_wes]

Will do

 

[wahoo_wes]

quick update...

replaced the temp motor actuator and the vent motor actuator under dash, worked ok until i put the fan on high then the panel blew again. Ohmed out all circuits (friend did that and said no shorts found) replacing blower motor and resistor today. fan relay and underhood relay replaced, heater control valve and solenoid replaced

fingers crossed, im running out of will with this thing, 4 panels blown, cant find a short, replacing all the under-dash components, so far i am in for 4 panels, 2 door actuators, the temp valve and solenoid, 2 relays a blower motor and the resistor.

i am rapidly approaching the ultimate solution with this thing (a cliff) we shall soon see....

 

[SunlitComet]

if you are re-using the fan switch and defrost switch, Don't.

 

[wahoo_wes]

nope, all new panels, 3 rotories and 3 pushbuttons, do you mean something else?

 

[SunlitComet]

no just that.

 

[wahoo_wes]

yeah, new panels, about 600 worth now, if this doesnt fix it i will be completely lost. time for something else me-thinks

 

[wahoo_wes]

For anyone this might help out, i did finally find the issue. On the back of the control panel (behind the vent selector knob) is a ribbon connector with a bunch of wires coming out of it.

The issue in this case was the green wire, it runs directly to the PCM under the hood. Somewhere along the run, it must have chafed and shorted out.

Rather than try and pull the entire dash, i simply cut the wire at the PCM and the control panel and spliced in a brand new run. Problem solved.