Climatronic Reset: Default Settings Explained

Hi,

When the Climatronic system is initially configured via the Climatronic control panel, the actuators are moved to their default positions, correct? The Climatronic control panel receives this information and stores it, correct? This means that after replacing the Climatronic control panel, the workshop needs to perform a new initial configuration to determine whether the problem lies with the control panel itself or with the actuator motor, correct?

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Micha"

To be honest, I think you can directly read out errors caused by faulty stepper motors using the Climatronic system. In an older Passat 35i from a friend's circle, the entire unit would regularly flash, and it turned out that two stepper motors were defective one after another!
But "first replace, then search" sounds like something Volkswagen would do!

Hi,

@mathias: Yes, the car is at VW (warranty case, constant ticking from the stepper motors, even when the Climatronic is "off"). After a test replacement with a non-identical control unit, the ticking is supposedly a little better (but not completely gone). Now the workshop is waiting for a new, identical control unit and hopes that this will fix the problem. Initially, they wanted to remove the entire dashboard to replace the stepper motors and then test the control unit. However, I requested that they first test-replace the control unit to potentially avoid disassembling the dashboard. Since the error memory is empty, I don't really believe there's a defect in the motors.
Now I've been without a car for two days, and I'm running 10km of the way to work.

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Micha"

Perhaps I have the solution to the problem?
My G4 EZ 11/98 MJ1999 experienced an issue where the temperature control actuator would rattle under certain external temperatures (approximately 10-15 degrees Celsius) and during longer journeys exceeding 20 km.
A swap with an identical control unit (my wife's car) revealed: the problem was not in the control unit, but in the car itself. The testing period lasted 1.5 years. Using the diagnostic system and after the error occurred, it was possible to confirm proper control of the actuator motor.
After disassembling and taking apart the actuator, it was determined that there was excessive play in an intermediate shaft.
After gluing the axle into the plastic housing, there was no more play or looseness.
The error has not occurred again for approximately 6 months!
The axis movement caused a delayed response from the potentiometer (oscillation patterns that, at certain temperatures, caused confusion in the climate control unit). This was clearly visible on the oscilloscope of the diagnostic system.
I believe that replacing the actuator motor is cheaper than replacing the entire climate control panel.
I would appreciate any feedback.
Have a nice weekend.

Hi,

The workshop replaced the control panel and says everything should be okay now. On the way home from the workshop, I didn't notice anything unusual. Let's see what happens when I drive the car again on Tuesday.

By the way, there's also a problem with ticking actuator motors in the Golf V. Here's the official solution from VW: replace the control unit.

@TDI-Erwin:

Quote:

It was beautifully visible on the oscilloscope of the diagnostic system.

What do you mean by that? Which diagnostic system? How exactly did you proceed?

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Micha"

to Mephisto:
R. Kaufmann diagnostic system: OBD/OBD2 professional diagnostic system KKL+CAN (USB).
This diagnostic system also includes a display similar to an oscilloscope with 4 inputs. When the signal from the potentiometer is connected to one input and the signal from the actuator (Climatronik temperature flap V68 at G4) is connected to another, the curve of the potentiometer shows a partial delay in the control signal (due to play in the actuator's gearbox). This causes the motor to continue being activated because the change is delayed in reaching the potentiometer. You can then see these "jagged" patterns on the oscilloscope. When the potentiometer is changed, there is a reversal, and the actuator rotates in the opposite direction (again with the aforementioned delays and effects). These control oscillations are very clearly visible on the oscilloscope through a suitable display of both channels.
It seems strange to me that the motors are being activated when "Climatronic off" is selected. (So, there is probably a fault in the control unit?).
Removing and installing the actuator was a delicate operation, but it was possible after removing the glove compartment. (Removal and installation took approximately 1.5 hours).
I'm curious to see what happens next.
Regards,
tdi-erwin

Hi TDI-Erwin,

Thank you very much for the tip! I need to borrow a laptop again and see how to configure the oscillator settings in VAG-COM.

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Micha"

VAG-COM does not have oscilloscope functions. The device mentioned above is a VAS 5051 (A/B), which costs a hefty 15,000 euros plus taxes, software, etc.

Probably he's referring to the VAG-Scope that comes with VAG-COM...

Rainer K. wrote:

He probably means VAG-Scope, which comes with VAG-COM...

Most likely...

...but that doesn't really help him, as oscilloscopes are already available for as little as 350-400 EUR.

To the know-it-all: it is not a VAS 5051 (A/B).

To Rainer K: Correct!

I may have not expressed myself clearly; I'm new to this forum.

sorry

tdi-erwin

@TDI-Erwin:

Despite the new control panel: It's ticking and ticking and ticking...

Since I hopefully will be able to borrow a colleague's laptop this weekend, I would like to ask you to provide me with some brief information on how to proceed in order to perform a diagnosis using VAG-Com and the "VAG-Scope."
1. Step: Select the Climatronic address. (I'm sure I can do that on my own ).
Step 2: Which measurement blocks do I need to examine (presumably there will be a setpoint and an actual value for each actuator, or)? Which of these is the setpoint and which is the actual value?
Step 3: Compare target values and actual values: I can handle that part myself. Otherwise, I'm sure I'll find the necessary experts here in the forum.
Step 4: Provide feedback in this forum so that perhaps there will be more specialized articles on the topic. (This would allow authorized repair shops to use them as a reference, which could help put an end to the random and often fruitless troubleshooting.)

So, if everything is really easily diagnosable with VAG-Com, then you'll hear the cry of joy all the way to Vienna .

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Micha"

Hello Mephisto!

I won't be able to access VAG-COM until next week (I've borrowed it).
Step 1: The climate control unit is located at address 08.
"Step 2: Unfortunately, I don't have that memorized, but the actuator must display values between 0-255. By changing the temperature setting, two values should change (one for the motor itself and one for the feedback from the potentiometer). These two measurement blocks should then be connected to the VAG-SCOP inputs (for real-time measurement curves). This applies to all actuators in the climate control system."
Step 3: Every time it "ticks," you observe changes in the "cause."
Step 4: When I get my VAG-COM back, I will investigate this further and hopefully be able to describe it better (it's been about 6-7 months since I last measured anything).
This vague description is intended to help you make some progress this weekend.
To finish off with a silly question: Do the climate control actuator motors actually make a ticking sound?
If you remove fuse 5, the climate control system should be de-energized (and thus, the actuators as well). In the Golf 4, the temperature control motor (part number V68) is located in the footwell, between the center console and the glove compartment, and has a purple control dial. You can test with your finger to see if it moves.
I hope I was able to help a little bit.

Have a nice weekend.
TDI-Erwin.

Hi,

Okay, so I've now looked at the measurement data blocks 002-005. Each of them contains a target value and an actual value.
I observed the following (Climatronic off, ignition on): The stepper motors for the Climatronic, located in blocks 002 (temperature control flap), 003 (central air flap), and 004 (footwell/defroster flap), are still being activated even when the Climatronic is turned off (i.e., "OFF" on the display). In today's temperature of 13°C inside the car, simply holding your hand about 1 cm in front of the vent on the Climatronic (behind which the temperature sensor is located) causes the motor for the temperature control flap to start running (first, the target value increases, and a second later, the ticking sound begins).
The ticking sound stops when the motor reaches the target value, or gets within a deviation of plus or minus 1.
The regulation seems to be working (tested with a hairdryer, allowing it to cool down, etc.). The target and actual values always converge within a short time. I couldn't detect any kind of "overshoot."

I conclude the following from this:

1.) The workshop was unaware that the Climatronic system still powers the motors even when set to "OFF."
2.) My Climatronic control motors are okay (no play in the potentiometers, axles, etc.).
3.) The ticking sound comes from the extremely sensitive control and operation of the stepper motors.
4.) A continuous ticking motion can be achieved by slowly warming the interior of the device using body heat (e.g., after jogging), or by allowing sunlight to gently shine on the surface. I was able to observe both of these effects.
5.) The slight ticking sound in my car is coming from the temperature control flap. The louder ticking sound is coming from the central air flap.

Since this is completely off-topic and this isn't an Audi forum (but I couldn't find any information about it anywhere else):
"Where is the temperature sensor located in the Audi RS4 that triggers the error code 17704 or P1296 - 35-10? Does anyone have the part number or installation instructions?"

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Micha"