Blend Door Problem

2000 CHRYSLER 300
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DANNY_P
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blend door problem

Climate Control System won't heat car.
System is stuck in "COLD" mode. Regardless of temperature I set, it blows cold air.

I never use the "AUTO" feature. I always use the manual method of setting temp and fan speed.

I replaced the Blend door motor with a new part from dealer.
I just replaced the control panel with a used part.

Problem remains.

Diagnostic codes with ORIGINAL control panel:
36 ATC Head Communication Failure
23 A/C Blend Door Feedback Failure
26 ATC In-Car Sensor

I disconnect the negative battery cable
and install the USED control panel, reconnect battery
and the temperature on the overhead console reads 75F (its about 52F outside)
Same problem (no warm air) but I only get a code 23

If I connect the blend door motor, but let it hang down so I can see it turn, it moves a good deal when I run diagnostics, but when I try to set temp to LO or HIGH it barely moves. (With either control panel)

While the motor is off, I can move the door until I hear it "SHUT" and then I get HOT AIR, so I dont think the door itself is bad.

Where do I go from here???
This is frustrating!
Feb 26, 2010 at 12:45 PM
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STRAILER
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Hello,

It sounds like the first code is the key with the no communication problem. Here is a wiring diagram and a guide to help you test the system power and grounds and then go from there.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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May 2, 2017 at 3:08 PM
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GIANNI
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When I get in my car before I turn the therma switch to the red side for heat the car automatically heats up. I have to turn it to the blue side and turn the on switch up high for it to stop blowing hot air in the car The on switch is not usually on for air or heat. Some one said something about the blender door not functioning correctly. I don't know but can you please tell me what is wrong with my car. I also have a squill in the steering wheel when I turn it.????
May 2, 2017 at 3:09 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If you get cool air when you turn it to the blue side, the blend air door is working. If you leave it in the red, heat can enter the vehicle. Based on your description, I don't think anything is wrong.
May 2, 2017 at 3:09 PM (Merged)
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JMANN
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My heater blows hot for about 10 seconds and then blows regular air , not hot or cold. Also a weird smell can from the ac when I turned it on but it seemed to have stopped. I flushed the heater core and I get I good flow of water out. When I put it all back together it filled the core and jacked the front of the car up and bleed as much air our as I could. It seemed to work a little but then its just barely warm. I would hate to pull the core and it be ok. I am wondering if it it the blend door actuator.
May 2, 2017 at 3:09 PM (Merged)
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CARADIODOC
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Before you head for the tough stuff, feel the heater hoses when the engine is warmed up and running. They should be too hot to hold onto for very long. If they are rather cool, feel the upper radiator hose. If that one is cool too, suspect the thermostat. If the dash gauge is showing a higher temperature than normal, suspect a leaking cylinder head gasket. There's a chemical test that can be done at the radiator to check for that. It involves drawing air through a glass cylinder with two chambers partially-filled with a special dark blue liquid. If combustion gases are present, the liquid will turn bright yellow.
May 2, 2017 at 3:09 PM (Merged)
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JMANN
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Ok I have done the compression test and the other test with the bulb that draws the exhaust air out the radiator and it was all good but that was a while back when my car was over heating and yall helped with that. What about the smell out the vents is that a sign of something?
May 2, 2017 at 3:09 PM (Merged)
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CARADIODOC
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That's hard to say over a computer. My best guess, if you can't see anything leaking, is coolant or air was being forced into the reservoir so quickly that some vapor snuck out. If you are losing coolant but too slowly to find the leak, you can add a small bottle of dark purple dye, then check a few days later with a black light. The dye will show up as a bright yellow stain that you can follow back to the source. Check also inside the tail pipe.
May 2, 2017 at 3:09 PM (Merged)