Climate Control Turns Itself On

[5rebel9]

5 minutes ago, The Salmon said:

Thanks, I give it a try!!! Will this help the front fan from turning on by itself?

It has been too long ago to remember ALL the specific "quiks" mine gave before my repair. But 2 other members posted of no more problems even with the front afterwards. One unplugged the rear control panel and the other bought and installed a replacement unit{although a used one}. I took my rear panel apart and "retensiond" and tightened the 3 dials and reassembled and reinstalled the panel.

[The Salmon]

NICE! Thanks I'll give it a go

[Squishman]

On 9/17/2025 at 4:30 AM, 5rebel9 said:

Glad to hear that replacing that rear control panel is working out well for you! 

As I stated, I like to keep costs down and repair things without just replacing parts that can be "fixed". BUT just so all know... I had an ample availability of other used control panels from my friend if my panel "fix" did not work out. The only thing I "used up" was my TIME to investigate and then do.

It was not the rear control. It was the main control panel in the front instrument panel. 

[Squishman]

This new/used unit has come back on mysteriously a few times this week after I turn it off. Sync remains synced however. Still monitoring to see if it happens again. Rear fuse is still out. I never put it back in. 

[Locosiete]

Leaving my rear control unplugged fixed the problem for me. That said it is hot as hell right now so it has been on non stop right now 🤣🤣

[5rebel9]

2 hours ago, Squishman said:

It was not the rear control. It was the main control panel in the front instrument panel. 

To each their own on how they proceed on effecting a repair. But please specify which unit is being done , I was under the impression you were doing the REAR as was being discussed through our postings.

ALSO is yout DJ equipped with the auto temp FRONT control panel{it has off and auto on the center dial} or manual {just an off on the center dial}????

[Squishman]

2 hours ago, 5rebel9 said:

To each their own on how they proceed on effecting a repair. But please specify which unit is being done , I was under the impression you were doing the REAR as was being discussed through our postings.

ALSO is yout DJ equipped with the auto temp FRONT control panel{it has off and auto on the center dial} or manual {just an off on the center dial}????

If you read my original post in this thread, there is no mistaking that I am talking about the main control unit. It was Dean above who mentioned pulling the fuse for the rear in the possible case that a defective rear control was causing issues in the main unit. 

I do have auto, but hate auto, so I never have auto enabled. Ever.  

[5rebel9]

With the additional sensors for auto temp systems, I had to ask as they do have some "quirks" of their own. But yes if not used will operate as traditional A/C system.

I don't have a schematic handy to track out, but I believe the fuse for rear system only cuts power to the rear blower, not the control panel.

Good luck and let us know how the monitoring goes!🙂

[The Salmon]

6 hours ago, 5rebel9 said:

With the additional sensors for auto temp systems, I had to ask as they do have some "quirks" of their own. But yes if not used will operate as traditional A/C system.

I don't have a schematic handy to track out, but I believe the fuse for rear system only cuts power to the rear blower, not the control panel.

Good luck and let us know how the monitoring goes!🙂

 

[The Salmon]

I have ordered a new HVAC Control Module.  Gonna replace it and see if that fixes the issues. If not, I will disconnect the rear control and try that. I'll keep you posted

[Squishman]

I drive 8 hours a day and I keep forgetting to shut off the climate control to see if it comes back on. I'll try to remember tomorrow. Other than that, it seems to be working fine. 

[Squishman]

I started the day with the control off. 2 to 3 hours later, it came on. Same settings when it was on last. Sync stayed synced. Fuse for rear still out. Then several times, it happened again. Then I just left it on as I needed the AC anyway. This is a mystery. The original unit did that, but had other mysterious issues. I can elaborate what those were if anyone is curious. But what is causing this unit to come on by itself? It is possible that this unit is also bad, since I did buy it used. Has anyone else had this happen? I do have the bigger touch screen and auto heat/ac, which I leave off as mentioned above because I can't stand auto. 

Edited September 25, 2025 by Squishman
typo

[Locosiete]

Well, learned something new about my DJ. Since I had the rear climate control unplugged and I disconnected the battery to upgrade my electrical system, when I hooked up the battery the front display removed the rear controller settings and the max ac option. Plugged the rear controller back in and after a moment the front control panel went back to normal view. But needless to say for that minute or 2 I had the rear controller hooked up the slightly bump to the fan control would make it turn back on. Must be that weird vibration I have from the back 😆 🤣 😂  

[5rebel9]

28 minutes ago, Locosiete said:

Well, learned something new about my DJ. Since I had the rear climate control unplugged and I disconnected the battery to upgrade my electrical system, when I hooked up the battery the front display removed the rear controller settings and the max ac option. Plugged the rear controller back in and after a moment the front control panel went back to normal view. But needless to say for that minute or 2 I had the rear controller hooked up the slightly bump to the fan control would make it turn back on. Must be that weird vibration I have from the back 😆 🤣 😂  

I had read a lot of posts here when I first joined about this "mysterious" concern when I had similar front unsyncing and fan coming off and back on. Then I found a youtube video of same problem and the guy removed the rear controller and opened it up to adjust the 3 dials contact arms to the circuit board and tighten the screws that were too loose for each dial that was allowing the dials to "wobble" and also contact arms to not come off the circuit board.

There have been NO MORE instances of this "mystery" since I did that fix. 

I surmise with the can/bus electrical layout that these cars have that the rear controller is integrated to the front unit. So folks get brave and take the unit out and repair it or replace the REAR CONTROL ROOF MOUNTED PANEL.

[Squishman]

5 hours ago, 5rebel9 said:

I had read a lot of posts here when I first joined about this "mysterious" concern when I had similar front unsyncing and fan coming off and back on. Then I found a youtube video of same problem and the guy removed the rear controller and opened it up to adjust the 3 dials contact arms to the circuit board and tighten the screws that were too loose for each dial that was allowing the dials to "wobble" and also contact arms to not come off the circuit board.

There have been NO MORE instances of this "mystery" since I did that fix. 

I surmise with the can/bus electrical layout that these cars have that the rear controller is integrated to the front unit. So folks get brave and take the unit out and repair it or replace the REAR CONTROL ROOF MOUNTED PANEL.

So pulling the fuse for the rear may only involve the rear blower as was mentioned above by 5rebel9. So I wonder if a guy could just remove (or unplug) the back panel and call it a day? 

Edited September 27, 2025 by Squishman

[5rebel9]

37 minutes ago, Squishman said:

So pulling the fuse for the rear may only involve the rear blower as was mentioned above by 5rebel9. So I wonder if a guy could just remove (or unplug) the back panel and call it a day? 

POSSIBLY, BUT read member Locosiete's most recent posting as to what happened to him after having run for a week with the rear roof controller unplugged and then disconnecting the battery for other work. Hence my last treply on this thread.

Edited September 27, 2025 by 5rebel9

[Locosiete]

1 hour ago, Squishman said:

So pulling the fuse for the rear may only involve the rear blower as was mentioned above by 5rebel9. So I wonder if a guy could just remove (or unplug) the back panel and call it a day? 

That's what I did

[Dean H]

Go here folks.

 

Rear HVAC controls clean up. https://www.dodgejourneyforum.com/topic/19638-rear-hvac-controls-clean-up/

[5rebel9]

43 minutes ago, Dean H said:

Go here folks.

 

Rear HVAC controls clean up. https://www.dodgejourneyforum.com/topic/19638-rear-hvac-controls-clean-up/

EXACTLY as I've been trying to explain!!!!!

[Squishman]

Yep. Since I unplugged the rear, the climate control works swimmingly. Question though, if I put the rear fan fuse back in, do I still have full rear AC and heat control from the front controls? 

[5rebel9]

2 hours ago, Squishman said:

Yep. Since I unplugged the rear, the climate control works swimmingly. Question though, if I put the rear fan fuse back in, do I still have full rear AC and heat control from the front controls? 

SORRY, but that one I can not answer as I did not go that route to know. You know how to take that fuse out, shouldn't be too hard to put back in and try it.

[Squishman]

1 hour ago, 5rebel9 said:

SORRY, but that one I can not answer as I did not go that route to know. You know how to take that fuse out, shouldn't be too hard to put back in and try it.

Yeah for sure. Not important that I have anything back there. Just curious. Middle and rear seats are out. Wide open space back there for work. I have a bungee net about where the middle seat backs would be to keep my freight from avalanching. This is far and away the best delivery vehicle I have owned. Not the biggest. But I do a medical route, so it's a perfect size. I did keep the back storage box back there. I could have removed it for even more room, but I love the storage for tools and what-not. 

[5rebel9]

Yes they are a decent ride for many things. At one time I had 4 at the same time. There are MANY different option configurations for these cars though and can make it confusing to get help if all pertinent info is not offered "up front" in a posting.

Case in point of my own is my wife has a'13 RT with 8.4 screen audio and Alpine with bluetooth/phone. The '13sxt I'm working on has 4.3 with bluetooth/phone. the other 2 did NOT have bluetooth/phone. I'm out of my element trying to figure out the quirks with the bluetooth phone on the sxt to figure out why the volume of the "nice lady voice in the module" is barely hearable. BUT so goes life.......LOL

[Locosiete]

I will check here in a few when I run to the store. Haven't paid attention since there is a small object blocking any airflow from the rear on mine since I unhooked it 🤣🤣🤣

[Locosiete]

Answe is no the rear does not work when it's unplugged