Obsolete truck part question

[Sawtooth]

So I have a ‘92 OBS Chevy 2500 work truck that I can’t go another summer in without A/C. The problem is the HVAC control is not available any longer. I have purchased 3 used units from different sellers on eBay and they only last between 6-12 months and then stop working.
Question is with all the great mechanics here does anyone know of someone that actually rebuilds these. The ones from eBay just say “tested”, not rebuilt.
I have found guys that rebuild the dash/gauge cluster and install new stepper motors etc. but no one that rebuilds these controls. HELP I’m already starting to melt . Thanks

 

[rivermobster]

Rock Auto, maybe?

 

[rivermobster]

Dorman A/C Selector Mode Switch 599-012

Shop for Dorman A/C Selector Mode Switch 599-012 with confidence at AutoZone.com. Parts are just part of what we do. Get yours online today and pick up in store.

www.autozone.com

 

[joecfd1]

So I have a ‘92 OBS Chevy 2500 work truck that I can’t go another summer in without A/C. The problem is the HVAC control is not available any longer. I have purchased 3 used units from different sellers on eBay and they only last between 6-12 months and then stop working.
Question is with all the great mechanics here does anyone know of someone that actually rebuilds these. The ones from eBay just say “tested”, not rebuilt.
I have found guys that rebuild the dash/gauge cluster and install new stepper motors etc. but no one that rebuilds these controls. HELP I’m already starting to melt . Thanks

I’m thinking you need to add a mini split and generator to your truck… problem solved!

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

With as popular as that platform truck has become I'm not surprised someone like vintage air hasn't come out with a replacement yet

 

[wzuber]

Another OPQ......does anyone know of an aftermarket company that makes egr coolers for the gen1 lb7 duramax trucks?
I'm told they're no longer available from the mfg. Tia

 

[monkeyswrench]

Another OPQ......does anyone know of an aftermarket company that makes egr coolers for the gen1 lb7 duramax trucks?
I'm told they're no longer available from the mfg. Tia

That's a Cali emissions thing. I didn't know that until I moved here. The LB7 Fed trucks didn't have them. That's kind of the issue though, limited market. I found an NOS one on ebay a couple years ago for a customer. It's kind of a bastard.

 

[Sawtooth]

Dorman A/C Selector Mode Switch 599-012

Shop for Dorman A/C Selector Mode Switch 599-012 with confidence at AutoZone.com. Parts are just part of what we do. Get yours online today and pick up in store.

www.autozone.com

Hey mobster thanks for the link, but these are the same as all the ones on eBay…..
“Extensively tested” not rebuilt, they are just pulling them out of wrecking yards. Another giveaway is there is no core charge because they don’t rebuild them.
There is a 1 star review for the item at autozone in the link you posted, is says “Did not work had to return” .

 

[Sawtooth]

I’m thinking you need to add a mini split and generator to your truck… problem solved!

You know me to well, don’t think I haven’t thought about that !!

 

[rivermobster]

Hey mobster thanks for the link, but these are the same as all the ones on eBay…..
“Extensively tested” not rebuilt, they are just pulling them out of wrecking yards. Another giveaway is there is no core charge because they don’t rebuild them.
There is a 1 star review for the item at autozone in the link you posted, is says “Did not work had to return” .

I saw that.

It's also just ONE review, and I'm going to guess they made it right?

It's a Dorman part. It's probably sold everywhere, and I'm fairly sure it's fully warrantied?

 

[bowtiejunkie]

With as popular as that platform truck has become I'm not surprised someone like vintage air hasn't come out with a replacement yet

@Sawtooth possibly this Vintage Air replacement control panel will work. part number 474145.

https://www.vintageair.com/custom/product-pop.php?pn=474145

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Did a little googling on Rivermobster's suggestion, these appear to be new aftermarket parts...

Dorman Products - 9-319

Use with Champ hardwood broom handles: 95-1205, 95-1207 or 95-1216

www.dormanproducts.com

 

[WYRD]

Found a solution

https://www.hemetcdjr.com/inventory/new-2024-ram-1500-big-hornlone-star-4x2-quad-cab-1c6rrebg7rn123385/

 

[Sharky]

Is everything else working and just the AC having problems?

Read this TSB. 92-201-1B

Repaired several vehicles that had AC problems with this complaint

 

[lbhsbz]

91-94 CHEVY C/K 1500 SILVERADO GMC AC HEATER DIGITAL CLIMATE CONTROL REBUILT 694 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 91-94 CHEVY C/K 1500 SILVERADO GMC AC HEATER DIGITAL CLIMATE CONTROL REBUILT 694 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

This is a rebuilt unit (or claims to be). I would reach out the seller/rebuilder and see if you can send in one of your failed unit to have them figure out what went wrong. Something is killing them, and to determine what is killing them, we have to determine what is failing and on what circuit

 

[bonesfab]

Vintage air makes an upgraded a/c kit for those trucks. Not just a switch panel though.

 

[Sawtooth]

Is everything else working and just the AC having problems?

Read this TSB. 92-201-1B

Repaired several vehicles that had AC problems with this complaint

When the dash control units work everything works great, A/C is cold, heat is hot, defrost works/blend door works to move air from dash to floor etc. Thanks.

 

[joecfd1]

You know me to well, don’t think I haven’t thought about that !!

I'm sure Ricky would help with this...

 

[Andy B.]

When the dash control units work everything works great, A/C is cold, heat is hot, defrost works/blend door works to move air from dash to floor etc. Thanks.

Be thankful you don't have 2000-06 Dodge 2500 my blend doors broke( plastic junk) had to replace! Had to take apart dash the whole nine yards. Replaced everything and found some aluminum blend doors so they should last the life of truck.

 

[Sharky]

Sounds like the problem is intermittent. When the problem occurs, what does the control head do?

Go blank? No display?

Or, is the display still lit but nothing happens when pushing the buttons?

 

[Sawtooth]

91-94 CHEVY C/K 1500 SILVERADO GMC AC HEATER DIGITAL CLIMATE CONTROL REBUILT 694 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 91-94 CHEVY C/K 1500 SILVERADO GMC AC HEATER DIGITAL CLIMATE CONTROL REBUILT 694 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

This is a rebuilt unit (or claims to be). I would reach out the seller/rebuilder and see if you can send in one of your failed unit to have them figure out what went wrong. Something is killing them, and to determine what is killing them, we have to determine what is failing and on what circuit

So each one has died a little differently. One started by not being able to control the blend from dash to floor and In between. Another one all the lights went out so I could not tell where it was set. And the third one worked the longest, about a year, and then one day when I started the truck all the indicators that show temp, where it it’s blowing, what mode it’s in etc. just started flashing then after one minute it would go black. Then if I pressed any control it would all flash again for another minute but nothing would work.
At this point I’m seriously thinking about just making an aluminum panel to fit in the space with a few basic toggle switches.

 

[rivermobster]

So each one has died a little differently. One started by not being able to control the blend from dash to floor and In between. Another one all the lights went out so I could not tell where it was set. And the third one worked the longest, about a year, and then one day when I started the truck all the indicators that show temp, where it it’s blowing, what mode it’s in etc. just started flashing then after one minute it would go black. Then if I pressed any control it would all flash again for another minute but nothing would work.
At this point I’m seriously thinking about just making an aluminum panel to fit in the space with a few basic toggle switches.

Definitely frustrating.

What's the warranty on the Dorman part?

 

[Sawtooth]

Definitely frustrating.

What's the warranty on the Dorman part?

Sounds like 60 days but I’m waiting for a solid answer/response from them.

 

[Sharky]

I would be tempted to take one apart and look at the circuit board.

This is the era (GM-Delco) of really lousy solder and broken solder connections. Where the pins on the electronic components come through the board and the solder is on the back side. We replaced thousands of ECM's and modules for failing the "tap" test.

You got an intermittent complaint on a GM. Powertrain, radio, HVAC, etc. And normal diagnostics found nothing. Powers & grounds good. Connector/terminal fitment good, no DTC's. . . . . . Take a wooden dowel (or hammer handle) and "tap" or smack the module. Then the problem would happen.

We had stacks of ECM's in the warranty return cage.


Pop it open and see if you notice any bad solder joints. Re-flow the bad connections.



Or, go with a reliable auto parts store that has a decent warranty and keep replacing them.