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Das r170, looking for advice

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2.6K views 37 replies 4 participants last post by  DaveFJ  
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#1 · (Edited)
Hi all, looking for any advice, I have a 2003 320 r170 and the air con is not working. Had regassed but no different.
I have star/das so tried looking for errors. Star comes up with a capital F against the air con control unit but if I try to then inquire further it takes me into hht. That then either complains that com port is in use, or if I get past that it says wrong cable for vehicle! :(
Any advice welcome. Using an old dell laptop to run Star/das. The connection indicator in the system tray is showing green for the connection to mux etc...
 
#3 ·
Sounds like HHTWIN is dropping out? My old C3 2012 s/w used to do something similar until @BaD_81 fixed it.

HVAC Modules tend to run at £40+ for R170's on eBay but if you want to be fancy and have black dials ala myself, Dave2302, Final Editions and SLK32'S, go for one out of a W208 CLK as a direct replacement ;)
 
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#4 ·
Fiddled about again this morning and found it connects properly when connecting to other control units, just cannot connect to the air con control unit at all.... so that gives me somewhere to start I guess!... found that I could make a few connections through hht but then after a while it disconnected and I started getting the same errors as I saw last night. I 'think' it is making a connection in hht and not closing properly , maybe something I am doing wrong, and that's why subsequent attempts to run hht say the com port is in use ? Sounds kind of feasible?
 
#5 ·
@M4rCu5
The vehicle OP has is using OBD plug and I have not tried it!
The problem of dropping in any module was because of I n I file (that is small I, not capital but the phone...) And after that I still can not access the A/C module. And the A/C works!
I have no words to explain it. However the diagnostic signal (to 38 pin) is coming from the indoor module - clicker and temp settings. Not the one in the fuse box (we mentioned it earlier). So it is still enigma to me!

Dave,
Do you have the other modules accessible or?
If other modules call for HHT, is it dropping?
When connected-wired to the car and ready to "establish" connection what letter is written next to the clock - bottom right corner of the desktops?
 
#7 ·
BaD_81 said:
@M4rCu5
The vehicle OP has is using OBD plug and I have not tried it!
The problem of dropping in any module was because of I n I file (that is small I, not capital but the phone...) And after that I still can not access the A/C module. And the A/C works!
I have no words to explain it. However the diagnostic signal (to 38 pin) is coming from the indoor module - clicker and temp settings. Not the one in the fuse box (we mentioned it earlier). So it is still enigma to me!
Click to expand...
That one (the C3) used to drop out on my FLs (16 pins) as well so it wasn't peculiar to just the 38's and as I've not had to thoroughly interrogate the HVAC System with the C4 so far, I dunno what (or not) it'll tell me .. something I could try later but a big F does suggest to me that the module is FUBAR .. and I like the black ones anyway 🙃
 
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#8 · (Edited)
Think I will swap out the control unit as you say :) but also, for good measure, will swap the fan resistor and put a new air filter on while I'm at it ;) I didn't mention , the fan keeps cutting in and out even with ac turned off.......
 
#9 ·
Well you probably have heard about it, electric gremlins are not new!
However the radiator fan kicking in is a major issue as it also drains the battery. Less of "expected" voltage makes the modules go - brrrrrrr.
Take one of your quick tests and share the screenshot. Remove your details if you wish.
So we can see what you see and based on the fights each of us had, you might get more than 1 solution...who knows.
@M4rCu5 how many of them old modules you said you have?
 
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#12 ·
Parts already ordered so will post progress once fitted and tested. Thanks all.
Just FYI, this is the car that Dave2302 did an amazing job of getting back on the road when the DAS unit died a few years back. :)
 
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#26 ·
Update.....
Control unit replaced with second hand item. Resistor pack replaced with new item, pattern part. New filter fitted for good measure....
The fan now seems stable and sets to what speed you select... which is something at least. Turn air con on and there is still no discernable difference in air temp coming from the vents. :(
I note that the new control unit does not light up with the other switch gear when the lights are on, should it? Can't say I ever took much notice of it before....

Onto DAS. Same issues as before, it just cannot connect and throws a big F... I connected to a other control unit that needed hht and that connected fine but it just won't connect for AC... took some pics as I went, will try to upload.
Computer Personal computer Output device Font Gadget

Computer Personal computer Laptop Operating system Netbook

Computer Personal computer Laptop Netbook Output device

Computer Personal computer Laptop Netbook Gadget

Computer Personal computer Laptop Netbook Output device

Computer Personal computer Laptop Netbook Operating system

Computer Personal computer Laptop Gadget Operating system

Computer Personal computer Laptop Netbook Operating system

Computer Personal computer Operating system Laptop Netbook

Computer Personal computer Laptop Netbook Operating system
 
#28 · (Edited)
The bulbs may well be both blown and they're a PITA to pickle in and out with the module in situ (pull the knobs off for access), easier with the module out of the car and on a bench but still a PITA.

They reside behind the brittle plastic shrouds ..
Camera lens Automotive tire Camera accessory Digital camera Cameras & optics


The other way is to take the module out and dismantle it to replace the bulb(s) from the inside, which is even more of a pain but educational at the same time :confused: :unsure:
Audio equipment Gas Electronic instrument Gadget Circle




That Big F is becoming a head scratcher :unsure:
 
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#31 ·
Lol, just had a go at opening up the old control unit and I can't even get that far! Obviously some trick to this that I am missing... do the 2 long drive pegs have to come off the back first?...
 
#30 ·
BTW. Dunno whether it's an AC equipped thing or just the 320 but the bulbs don't light up unless the key is in Pos2. and you switch the lights on, takes a couple of secs for them to kick in.
Bizarrely, they do illume on my 200 (non-AC) without any Ign. key input, just the light switch 🤷‍♂️
 
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#38 ·
I gave up on it!.. no A/C .. thinking maybe will look again when the weather is better as I have no garage space right now and can't be doing with messing around in the cold! Lol. Had a wierd issue with gear selection preventing start that after a lot of diagnosis and messing came down to the k40, but not the usual failure.... so didn't worry about the A C at the time :)
 
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