355 HVAC Selector Switch Not Working--Please help!!! | FerrariChat
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355 HVAC Selector Switch Not Working--Please help!!!

Discussion in '348/355' started by BLAMPEE, Jul 10, 2011.

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  1. BLAMPEE

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    #1 BLAMPEE, Jul 10, 2011
    Just got my AC recharged before I went to Europe and took her out today and the selector is stuck on "defrost."

    The switch physically moves between feet/face/defrost/etc, but nothing happens.

    Any thoughts? Should I take the box out that the switch is in to check the connections? :confused:

    Thanks, guys. :)
     
  2. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #2 jm3, Jul 10, 2011
    For some reason, this seems to happen for no reason. (You can quote me on that)

    The first clue is that it happened all of a sudden. I would first try the "disconnect battery for 20 minutes" reset.


    JM
     
  3. BLAMPEE

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    #3 BLAMPEE, Jul 10, 2011
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2011
    I actually DID turn the disconnect switch "off" while I was in Europe for 2 weeks...interesting that this happened the day I turned the switch back on.....perhaps I will turn it off again and flip it back to see if it works.

    BTW, my battery is good....sat for 2 weeks and she started right up! :D
     
  4. Smyrna355Spider

    Smyrna355Spider F1 Rookie
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    #4 Smyrna355Spider, Jul 10, 2011
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2011
    Brock, I would say screw it. Drop it at the closest shop, let them fix it and go see Stephanie for a few days in Florida. :D
     
  5. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
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    #5 Ricambi America, Jul 10, 2011
  6. BLAMPEE

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    #6 BLAMPEE, Jul 10, 2011
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2011
    Didn't work. :(

    LoL...there is no "closest shop", Scott. That would be Dave Helms in Denver! :p I live in OOOOOOOOOOOOOOmaha now! :p

    (I'm sure Stephanie could definitely take my mind of the problem at hand, though...);)

    (She really is one of the best people I have ever met.) :)

    Would that be easy for me to simply replace? Also, how would I test which part is defective before purchasing anything? :)
     
  7. F355Bob

    F355Bob Formula 3

    Nov 4, 2003
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    #7 F355Bob, Jul 10, 2011
    I've had this happen twice to me. The first time I replaced the ECU--$1600. Second time, two years later, it happened again when I disconnected the battery. Tried resetting and that did not work. Tested the motor and it was ok. Replaced the HVAC center dash controls with a used one that was know to be ok and that did not work. Replaced the ECU and that did not work. I finally removed the motor under the dash and with a screw driver turned the diffuser so that all the air comes out of the center vents. If anybody has a solution I'd love to hear it. I think that the ECU is out of sync but it does not seem to be able to correct itself by shutting off the power and then back on again.
     
  8. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #8 jm3, Jul 11, 2011
    Here is what I would try:

    I have noticed that if I turn my car off with the heater on, when I start the car again later, the doors move, and the fan starts up in about 10-15 seconds. This indicates to me that the ECU "initializes" in some respect.


    I would try turning off the climate control (press the "stop" button down, turn the fan to "0") before stopping the car. Then disconnect the battery for a few minutes. Then start the car, with the climate control turned off. After a minute or so, release the stop button and see what happens.

    What the heck, its worth a try.
     
  9. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 285ferrari, Jul 11, 2011
    Brock--Most likely, it is not the actual HVAC electrical panel, but if you can't figure out the issue and want to rule that out let me know and I will send a good one out to you to test....
     
  10. BLAMPEE

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    #10 BLAMPEE, Jul 11, 2011
    Didn't work....tried it twice. :(

    I'm not sure how I am able to actually test what is wrong with the exception of taking the panel out. The little $62 part that Daniel referenced above may be the culprit, but I don't even know how to get to it....is it through the boot area? Or do I need to take one of the vents out? :confused:

    I'll let you know if I need it, Robbie. Thanks, buddy. :)
     
  11. F355Bob

    F355Bob Formula 3

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    #11 F355Bob, Jul 11, 2011
    You can access it under the dash just below the left corner of air bag on the dash. I replaced mine and it did not help. I tested the original and it was working ok. The motor turns but then goes right back to the defroster setting. It is really puzzling. Don't just throw parts at it because you could end up spending several thousand and not solve the problem. I've already gone down that road. Like I said, I just manually turned the diverter so it only blows out the center vents and it cools the car just fine. I don't have any defroster but don't drive in winter anyway.
     
  12. BLAMPEE

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    #12 BLAMPEE, Jul 11, 2011
    How do I do this?
     
  13. F355Bob

    F355Bob Formula 3

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    #13 F355Bob, Jul 12, 2011
    Remove the diverter motor, turn the A/C on, insert a thin screw driver into the slot that the diverter fits in and turn until you feel air coming out of only the center vents.
     
  14. BLAMPEE

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    #14 BLAMPEE, Jul 14, 2011
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2011
    I am mechanically stupid. Seriously.

    Can you give me a little more precise directions? :(

    Anyone have a picture of what the motor looks like and how it is removed?

    is the diverter motor that link that Daniel posted?
     
  15. BLAMPEE

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    #15 BLAMPEE, Jul 14, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  16. F355Bob

    F355Bob Formula 3

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    #16 F355Bob, Jul 14, 2011
    Hard to tell from picture but looks like it is the diverter motor. Disconnect the harnesss, remove motor, put screwdriver into slot of diverter and turn with the A/C on until you feel all the air coming out the the center vents.
     
  17. BLAMPEE

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    #17 BLAMPEE, Mar 17, 2012
    Bringing up this thread because I never actually fixed the problem. Now that spring is here I need to.

    So...what should I do? I guess the easiest option would be to check the actual HVAC selector box by asking someone to send me a working one to rule that out...?

    I certainly couldn't figure out how to remove that diverter box...I can't ever figure car ish out and it makes me feel entirely stupid every failed attempt. :(

    I looked at the Ricambi diagram and those things are just Greek to me. :(

    The heat-AC temperature and all the other buttons on the HVAC work correctly, btw.

    I am taking my 355 into the Porsche dealer here for an annual fluid change shortly; is this problem simple enough to be handled by a competent technician not 100% familiar with Ferrari-specific problems?

    I mean...a car is a car, right? Oil has a filter....AC all recharges the same way...etc..., no??? :confused:

    Does the 3-volume WSM describe how to remove the diverter motor? I didn't physically see any screws up there to do so...
     
  18. F355Bob

    F355Bob Formula 3

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    #18 F355Bob, Mar 17, 2012
    That's the diverter motor in your picture. There are three screws holding it in and they take a Phillips screwdriver. Hard to get to. If you figure how to fix it so it is no longer on defrost. please let me know. Many have had the same problem. Mine also stopped working when I turned my battery off. Something is out of sync.
     
  19. BLAMPEE

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    #19 BLAMPEE, Mar 17, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    First off....based on the Ricambi diagram I was looking for THREE screws....mine only had two and here's why (see pic; one was broken off long ago....lol....)

    So...I'm going to try and fix it temporarily by sticking a screw driver inside to adjust it...

    Out to the garage I go...! :)


    I know so little about cars and this is exciting! Maybe I'll be able to fix something myself for once! :D

    More in a bit...
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  20. BLAMPEE

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    #20 BLAMPEE, Mar 17, 2012
    Ok....

    I got the diverter switch out.

    I was able to successfully turn the air-selection manually so that it is not in defrost mode and is now blowing on my feet and face. Started the car....stayed the same.

    So, now I guess I have to find out of this diverter box is defective or if it is the HVAC selector on the middle console.

    I do not know (nor have the equipment) how to "test" things to see if they are bad. Should I try to find a used one and buy it? Might be cheaper than buying a new one.

    The good news is that it is an inexpensive part so I HOPE that it IS only the diverter. :)
     
  21. F355Bob

    F355Bob Formula 3

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    #21 F355Bob, Mar 17, 2012
    I changed out the center switch panel and it did not make a difference. Changed out the motor and did not make a difference. You can connect the harness to the diverter motor and watch the shaft move when you move your panel switch. Mine would rotate but then go right back to the defrost position. I have even changed the ECU--$1600 and did not make a difference. I think that the ECU got out of sync when we shut the battery off. The question is how do you get the ECU back in sync.
     
  22. BLAMPEE

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    #22 BLAMPEE, Mar 17, 2012
    The diverter motor has that little piece that goes into the hole to select where you want the air to come from. I guess that piece is supposed to "physically" turn, thereby selecting defrost/face/etc/ MINE DOES NOT MOVE......

    So, I am guessing it is the diverter motor that IS bad. Ordering one from Daniel first thing Monday morning on his advice. :)

    Thanks, Daniel! :)

    I'll update when I get new info! :)
     
  23. BLAMPEE

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    #23 BLAMPEE, Mar 23, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Got the new motor actuator thingy from Ricambi.

    It didn't fix my problem. :(

    So, regarding the hole where you can manually adjust the face/feet/def....is the middle piece (see pic) on the diverter motor supposed to physically turn??? Is there something I am missing???

    I feel so stupid sometimes since I know nothing about cars/motors/electrical stuff.

    My common logic tells me that if I can manually select it under the dash by inserting a screwdriver then this piece should PHYSICALLY TURN, too...? :confused:

    Is there a separate fuse for just this?

    :(

    I plugged it in and nothing....

    Should I be able o physically turn this with my hand? Or is it electronically-controlled?
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  24. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 WATSON, Mar 23, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2012
    Yes, the shaft should move as you select the different options on the control dial. I suspect the movement on this one is pretty small as the diverter valve does not move all the far...

    Is it fused? I am certain it is somewhere, but I am not near my car so I'll report back later on the fuse location.... The only fuse I see listed in the manual is fuse #24 for the A/C system. Doubt that is the one, but check it just the same. Passenger footwell, second row from the bottom, fourth fuse from the left.

    There are some relays and a "hidden" fuse underneath the carpet next to fresh air inlet box in the front compartment on the R/H side. Wonder if that is the culprit?

    If the diverter valve is hard to move manually, it may have bound up with dirt or dried grease. This would cause the motor to fail or the fuse to blow (or both). ..and may be why one of the ears broke off of your old motor.

    If it were me...and it isn't, I would lay a towel out and try get some cleaner (WD40) and then some lube (silicone spray) on the pivot points of the diverter plate. Work it back and forth until it is nice and smooth....

    Of course, the selection switch could also be bad.....

    Some details on the "hidden fuse: here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108614

    This might help as well: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=139985290&postcount=11
     
  25. BLAMPEE

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    #25 BLAMPEE, Mar 23, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2012
    Thank you so much. I will check all of this when I get home tonight.

    The new diverter box's center post doesn't physically move, either. Ugh this is so frustrating.

    Robbie offered to send me a new HVAC panel just to rule that out....I may have to take that option.

    Regarding the fuses....the ONLY thing that is not working is the selector for face/feet/def/etc. everything including heat and a/c are functioning as they should.
     
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