Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) Control Module - Dual Automatic Temperature Control (DATC)

The DATC system uses the HVAC control module, and it also controls the outputs for rear window defrost and climate controlled seats. For details on the HVAC control module communication, refer to Control System Logic in this service information.

The HVAC control module utilizes a Field-Effect Transistor (FET) protective circuit strategy for its actuator outputs. Output load (current level) is monitored for excessive current (typically short circuits) and is shut down (turns off the voltage or ground provided by the module) when a fault event is detected. A short circuit DTC is stored at the fault event and a cumulative counter is started.

When the demand for the output is no longer present, the module resets the Field-Effect Transistor (FET) circuit protection to allow the circuit to function. The next time the driver requests a circuit to activate that has been shut down by a previous short (Field-Effect Transistor (FET) protection) and the circuit is still shorted, the Field-Effect Transistor (FET) protection shuts off the circuit again and the cumulative counter advances.

When the excessive circuit load occurs often enough, the module shuts down the output until a repair procedure is carried out. The Field-Effect Transistor (FET) protected circuit has 3 predefined levels of short circuit tolerance based on the harmful effect of each circuit fault on the Field-Effect Transistor (FET) and the ability of the Field-Effect Transistor (FET) to withstand it. A module lifetime level of fault events is established based upon the durability of the Field-Effect Transistor (FET). If the total tolerance level is determined to be 600 fault events, the 3 predefined levels would be 200, 400 and 600 fault events

When each tolerance level is reached, the short circuit DTC that was stored on the first failure cannot be cleared by a command to clear the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). The module does not allow the DTC to be cleared or the circuit to be restored to normal operation until a successful self-test proves that the fault has been repaired. After the self-test has successfully completed (no on-demand Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present), DTC U1000:00 and the associated DTC (the DTC related to the shorted circuit) automatically clears and the circuit function returns.

When each level is reached, the DTC associated with the short circuit sets along with DTC U1000:00. These Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) can be cleared using the module self-test, then the Clear DTC operation on the scan tool. The module never resets the fault event counter to zero and continues to advance the fault event counter as short circuit fault events occur.

If the number of short circuit fault events reach the third level, then Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) U1000:00 and U3000:49 set along with the associated short circuit DTC. DTC U3000:49 cannot be cleared and a new module must be installed after the repair.

The HVAC control module requires Programmable Module Installation (PMI) when it is replaced.