Heater will not turn on

[suzinthecity]

I posted earlier about a similar problem no heat, defrost, etc. The lights are out on the AC and REC buttons as well. My mechanic told me that the ECC unit is dead. But since I've been fishing on the site, it sounds like it is more common for the blower motor resistor to die, rather than the unit. Should I buy a new resistor, or get a junkyard ECC unit? Would the junkyard unit come with the resistor?

I have a 1995 850 GLT.

Please help!

[Ozark Lee]

I assume that both of you have checked fuse 31 and fuse 5.

Suzinthecity,

The controller is a separate part from the blower resistor (Power stage in your case but many of the parts suppliers call it a resistor).

The typical failures that I have been seeing on the controller is quite visible if you remove the unit and then take the cover off, there is a spot where the circuit board is charred and there is usually a smoke stain on the upper inside of the cover.

If your controller looks like that then it is time to scour the junk yards or eBay for a replacement.

...Lee

[thepainted1]

So my B1 port is constantly lit, as soon as the jumper cable touches it... Tough to find any info on that...

I took apart my ECC and no burnt board or charring or smoke signs...

Here are the codes I DID get... (I am sure there are lots of issues, hahaha but please lets stick to the heater as it is getting cold here in Canada!)

A1 - 114
A2 - 522, 241, 153
A3 - 111
A5 - nothing
A6 - nothing
A7 - 113

B1 - light stays on
B2 - 122
B3 - nothing
B5 - 111
B6 - blank
B7 - blank

It is a 1995 Volvo 850 GLT (non Turbo) and if you can point me to where you find out what each code means under each port, that would be nice too...

But I assume the fact that B1 is staying lit means something is up there...

Any help?

thanks,

Andrew

[Ozark Lee]

When the B-1 light either won't come on at all or it is stuck on it pretty much means that the controller is in a coma. It may have just stuck a bit and unplugging it an plugging it back in after a couple of minutes from the connectors on the back might revive it (sort of like a hard boot on your computer) - but I have my doubts.

...Lee

[thepainted1]

well the heater has definitely been out for minutes, unless you mean my ECU? which i also tried, so assuming that neither of those "hard boots" did anything, what am I left with?

[Ozark Lee]

what am I left with?

Pretty much eBay or the junk yard for a new ECC controller.

...Lee

[thepainted1]

I already have tried that, I should have been more clear...

"So cleaning and replacing it does not work. I don't think its the blower moter either as the control unit is unable to change the vents. I tried another unit, and it didn't do a thing. Where should I be looking next? it's like there is no power getting to it?!?!?!"

I tried cleaning it, and also went and was able to try a replacement at a junkyard, and it had no effect. This is killing me, time for a new car maybe...?

[thepainted1]

Also i want to remind that it died when they tested my A/C and said it would hold and then charged the A/C, but then the heater stopped working when they tried to fire it up... Is there any wires or something they might have knocked loose doing any of that? and then the time it started up again would have been maybe hitting a big bump that knocked it back? or did it blow a resistor of some sort? or is my engine computer messed?

this is so frustrating...

[Ozark Lee]

Give me a day to review your posts, get some rare sleep, and think on it. I answer so many posts that it all gets blurry after a while.

...Lee

[thepainted1]

No problem, I appreciate everything you are doing so much! Thanks, Andrew