Help - (X) On LED - Whats Going On?

[sjay]

Ok guys - I need an expert opinion on this as I've run this through two Holden dealerships and neither of them have fixed the problem. I have no idea what this is - so I'm hoping that someone can explain it. :bow:

Here goes:

I have a VX Berlina. When the aircon / heater comes on, after awhile there is an (X) on the bottom right hand side of the display (the one in the middle of the dash). Then the whole heating/cooling thing just goes to hell. :vpo: The car decides... "oh I want to make it REALLY hot - and now I don't want to anymore... its totally crazy. The only way to make the aircon or heating work is to turn the car off and hope when you turn it back on.. the problem doesn't come back. The other thing, is that sometimes when I have the heating/cooling on I hear a pop (like a plastic vent trying to seal or something). I'm guessing the "thing" that controls the heating/cooling is stuffed.

I looked this "magical cross" up in the manual and it basically says (I'm paraphrasing here) - "If the light comes on there is something wrong, so take it to your dealer who will diagnose the problem".

It's been to Dealership "A" and both times wasn't fixed. The guys there told me something like "ohhh yeah we redid the mix and its fine now".

I then took it to Dealership "B" and they said "We reset the codes and its fine" - but if it continues we will have to take the whole dashboard out and replace the whole heating/cooling system. The quoted 2 days work and said they couldn't put a price on it (typical).

Has anyone run into this problem? Can anyone help before I get ripped off by another dodgy Holden dealer? :banghead:

[VooDoo]

Check for a vacume leak. Under the bonnet at the rear of the mainifold (intake) there is a hose that goes into the firewall and has a little white filter on it. Break that line and Aircond and heater plays silly buggers. The pop is the recirculating valve opening and closing and isnt abnormal.

You might need to find a better dealer though....

[Toddler78]

check that the air temp sensor isnt playing up or blocked. It is under the cluster on the left hand side, you know where the little holes are. Simular thing happened on my car, turned out to be that.

[Wonky]

Voodoo and Toddler both raise relevant possibilities but when it comes down to it wouldn't you think these service guys who work on these cars day in day out would check those things as a matter of course during their investigations? Nah, you're probably right......... :(

[Hammer]

take it to a TUNER who can find the codes better than any dumbass "mechanic" at holden can....

do a pcm reset and check your battery connections

[Cobalt]

That X indicates that there is no communication between the climate control module and the BCM/Cluster

It is most likely that the climate controller module is stuffed. You could try to get one from the wreckers. It is simple to change. Remove stereo. Remove the lower centre console surround (around the gear lever) remove upper surrount and remove the module. Im not aware of any vehilce specific info in these units so swapping should cause no problems.

There are two levels in that model Mid spec and High spec. high spec was dual zone make sure you get a single zone unit and that it is from a vx to be sure. pref get one from a hsv clubsport (berlina based) or a berlina.

Only other thing could be wiring or the serial data controller in the BCM but this would cause heaps of other problems that you are not experiencing (or have not posted about).

Cheers

Chad

[sjay]

Wow - thanks to everyone that replied. :cheers:

So what I'm hearing is:

1. Climate controller module - replace it with a single zone unit.
2. Check for a vacuum leak - white filter

Any ideas what a climate controller module is worth? I'll make some calls - just want to ensure I don't get ripped off again!

Cobalt: There are no other problems with the car - just the (X) and the occasional blast of heating or air con.

[Toddler78]

Voodoo and Toddler both raise relevant possibilities but when it comes down to it wouldn't you think these service guys who work on these cars day in day out would check those things as a matter of course during their investigations? Nah, you're probably right......... :(

Wonky wash your mouth out with soap :)

To be honest I dont think that the error codes come up that easy when there is a problem, I know mine didnt have any :confused:

[zorro]

I'm sorry to say but when I was doing car A/C the amount of work we got from 'dealers' unable to diagnose problems with A/C system (electricals included) was ridiculous.

I'd be going to someone who does the job day in and day out. Check what voodoo, toddler and cobalt said first.

to me sounds like an air leak somewhere in the system, not electronic.

[Cobalt]

The only way he can get a x on the dash is if there is a failure of the serial data information. Sound more electronic to me.

I'm not aware of this X being displayed if there is a vacuum problem. I don't think our cars monitor vacuum just assume it is there. Otherwise you would get an error if you tried to operate the climate control with just the ignition on and not the motor. The fact that it works normally after a power cycle says it more electrical.

Cheers

Chad

[JezzaB]

The only way he can get a x on the dash is if there is a failure of the serial data information. Sound more electronic to me.

I'm not aware of this X being displayed if there is a vacuum problem. I don't think our cars monitor vacuum just assume it is there. Otherwise you would get an error if you tried to operate the climate control with just the ignition on and not the motor. The fact that it works normally after a power cycle says it more electrical.

Cheers

Chad


I agree, its not a vacuum feed hose problem. I have disconnected the interior controls vacuum line and put a boost gauge on there for 3 days and it never had any errors, I just couldnt change the vent settings.

Jez

[RAVENLS1]

Any ideas what a climate controller module is worth? I'll make some calls - just want to ensure I don't get ripped off again!



THERES ONE ON EBAY FOR $80