Howdy, of the six center console accessory buttons on my base 97 caravan, four flash continuously. My rear wiper button/fast, rear wiper button/slow, a/c button, and recirculate button. Interestingly, the rear defrost button and rear washer button do not flash. Been happening awhile. Doesn't come up on codes using computer at auto parts store (the type they let you borrow to use in the parking lot), and wont go off using computer clear function of said auto parts computer. Checked fuses (unless there are weird ones i am not thinking about), unhooked battery for a good bit, etc. Nobody seems to have seen it before. Even got a big "I dunnoh" from the Dealer. His suggestion was to bring it down and pay him $150 bucks to put it on his steroid computer to reset the system. Any ideas? A short? Relay? Thanks, it makes turning on these features confusing. As I sit here, I even think i remember that when you turn on the back wiper, it wont go off till you turn on the car. Thanks again

 

That happened to my 1997 Chrysler T&C minivan. A few weeks ago the fuel pump went out but before it was repaired I basically wore the battery down trying to start it before I new what the problem was. Once the fuel pump was repaired and I drove it home I noticed the flashing of the mentioned buttons. I later asked the technician about it. He said that he has seen that before when the battery gets to a certain weakness or low voltage and there is a little circuit card behind the panel where those flashing buttons are and he said that circuit card needs to be replaced. I haven't verified that as it isn't a big enough bother for me but FWIW.

 

Before you crack open your wallet read post #7 in this thread. You need your keys and two fingers: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-c...formation.html

Your A/C has to be working for this to pass. If it's not and you attempt it, the lights will flash until you get the A/C fixed and try the test again. This calibration usually cures two flashing lights. Still worth a try.

OBTW - Your dealer is brain dead. Flashing HVAC panel lights is easily in the top 10 of reported problems on just about any forum concerning 3rd generation Chrysler Corp minivans. Either brain dead or looking for an easy $150.

 

I have a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan and am having a similar problem with the same thing but also different. All the interior dash lights (A/C, Radio, top navigation/temp area, and dash lights) are all flashing. Additionally, the headlights, turn signals, and rear lights are doing the same thing at the same time. When I pop the hood, the Low Beam relay is clicking away and have attempted to replace only to have same issue with new relay. Found another forum stating that if I were to turn key on (not start) the relay that was bad would get warm. Upon doing this the Blower Motor relay got warm. Very unsure the two are connected. Tonight I attempted to pull the negative on the battery for a few minutes thinking it might reset itself with no avail. This has been going on for about two weeks now, and the flashing did stop for about a week but started all over again. The strange thing is, if I turn the lights ON, the flashing stops all together and the dash lights stop also, acting as if nothing is wrong. This model does not have daytime running lights, and the lights themselves do not turn on simply because its dark. Very confused with this issue and any additional sound advice would be appreciated.

 

ACTUATOR CALIBRATION/DIAGNOSTICS AND COOLDOWN TEST
GENERAL INFORMATION
If the HVAC control module is replaced, the Calibration Diagnostic and Cooldown tests will need to be performed. Once this group of tests have successfully passed, they can be performed individually. The engine must be running during the test to provide hot coolant for the heater, A/C compressor operation and to assure that the actuators are calibrated correctly. The HVAC control module is capable of troubleshooting the system in approximately 120 seconds. If a condition is detected, an error code is displayed. The error code cannot be erased until the condition is repaired and the diagnostic test is performed. Check wire before replacing components, Refer to Wiring Diagrams.

CAUTION: Do not remove the actuators from the Heater-A/C unit assembly with power applied. Removal should only be done with the Ignition OFF. The actuators have no mechanical stops to limit the travel. If the actuator rotates and is not connected to the unit assembly, it will become out of calibration.

ACTUATOR CALIBRATION
Mode, Blend and Zone (if equipped) door calibration compensates for mechanical variations in the actuators, HVAC control module and its linkages. In-vehicle calibration can be entered from the control's front panel. If the REAR WIPE and INTERMITTENT LED's flash simultaneously when Ignition is cycled ON, the actuators have not been calibrated or during the previous calibration a failure occurred Radio Bezel and HVAC Control and Radio Bezel and HVAC Control, Rear Blower Motor Switch and Zone Control Diagnostics will always occur during Calibration Diagnostic and Cooldown test.

DIAGNOSTICS
During the Actuator calibration, diagnostics are performed on the actuators and evaporator temperature Fin Sensor. Once diagnostics are completed the REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT LED's will flash to indicate either a successful calibration or the appropriate fail code(s) At this time manual testing of the Blend, Mode and Driver (if equipped) potentiometers can be performed. If a failure is detected during Diagnostics a fault will be set in the control. When Ignition is cycled OFF and then ON or Diagnostics is aborted, the REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT LED's will flash simultaneously showing that a failure has occurred. The control will not indicate the fail code, but only that a failure had occurred during the last diagnostics test. The only way to clear the failure codes is repeat the Calibration Diagnostic and Cooldown test, after all repairs are completed.

COOLDOWN TEST
This test has been designed for performance testing of the A/C system at the manufacturing facility. If the HVAC control module is replaced, the Cooldown test will occur during Calibration test. Cooldown will not occur on Heater Only units. During the Cooldown test the control will monitor the temperature of the Fin Sensor. The A/C system must be able to bring the evaporator temperature down a predetermined minimum amount in less than 2 minutes.

CALIBRATION/COOLDOWN LED DISPLAY CODES
See table for definition of flashing LED's. If no problems are found, the control functions normally.

CALIBRATION/COOLDOWN LED DISPLAY CODES
LED'S PASS/FAIL CORRECTIVE ACTION
NO LED'S FLASHING-NORMAL OPERATION PASSED CALIBRATION, DIAGNOSTICS AND COOLDOWN NONE
REAR WIPER AND INTERMITTENT LED'S FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED CALIBRATION DIAGNOSTICS RUN CALIBRATION TEST
A/C AND RECIRC LED'S FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED COOLDOWN RUN COOLDOWN TEST
REAR WIPER AND INTERMITTENT LED'S ARE FLASHING SIMULTANEOUSLY A/C AND RECIRC LED'S ARE FLASHING SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED CALIBRATION, DIAGNOSTICS AND FAILED COOLDOWN TEST RUN CALIBRATION TEST

CALIBRATION/DIAGNOSTICS TEST ENTRY
TO INITIATE TESTS:
•Set Blower motor ON HIGH
•Set Mode position to Panel
•Open all A/C outlets
•Set Temperature to Cold (Both slide pots if equipped)
•Depress WASH and REAR WIPER button simultaneously for 5 Seconds (Until all LED's light)
RESULTS:
•All LED's will turn on for 5 Seconds
•Calibration Test is running when REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT are alternately flashing. Cooldown test is running if A/C and RECIRC are alternately flashing.
•Acceptable results is REAR WIPER LED is the only LED flashing. Push Rear Wiper to exit.
•After all tests have passed, Calibration Diagnostics and Cooldown can be run separately.
COOLDOWN TEST ENTRY
TO INITIATE TESTS:
•Set Blower motor ON HIGH
•Set Mode position to Panel
•Open all A/C outlets
•Set Temperature to Cold (Both slide pots if equipped)
•Depress WASH and A/C simultaneously for 5 Seconds
NOTE: Prior to start of test, If the evaporator is already cold, the system will fail test. To correct, operate system with A/C OFF and the blower motor ON high for three minutes prior to starting test.

RESULTS:
•All LED's will turn on for 5 Seconds
•Cooldown Test is running when A/C and RECIRC. are alternately flashing. If A/C and RECIRC. are flashing simultaneously, Cooldown has failed.
CALIBRATION DIAGNOSTICS AND COOLDOWN ABORT
Test can be aborted by doing one of the following:

•Depressing Rear Window Defogger, RECIRC and Rear Wiper buttons.
•Cycling Ignition OFF and then ON.
•Control will automatically abort after 15 minutes from the time Calibration Diagnostics and Cooldown was entered.
The HVAC control module will return to normal operation or may indicate unsuccessful Calibration Diagnostics or Cooldown test by LED's flashing simultaneously.

EEPROM DATA
Calibration Diagnostics, Cooldown Status and evaporator temperature Fin Sensor values are stored in an EEPROM memory internal to the control. The microcomputer within the HVAC control module uses this information:

•To determine if Cooldown needs to run
•For proper position of the Heater-A/C unit assembly doors
ACTUATOR CALIBRATION AND DIAGNOSTICS
NOTE: Do not run actuators unless they are properly mounted on the HVAC control module.

Actuator end point calibration takes approximately 60 seconds. The REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT LED's will flash alternately during the test. The control will cycle the Blend actuator(s) to the Heat stop first then back to Cold. After the Blend actuator(s) have been calibrated the Mode actuator will be cycled to Defrost and then to Panel. Successful calibration is defined as actuator travel falling within their minimum and maximum limits.

BLEND/PASSENGER ACTUATOR BACKGROUND
The Blend/Passenger Actuator can move the temperature door in two directions. When the voltage at Pin 12 of the control module is high, about 11.5 volts, and the voltage at Pin 17 is low, about 1.5 volts, the door will move towards the Heat position. When Pin 17 is High and Pin 12 is Low the door will move towards the Cold position. When both Pins are high or both Pins are low, the actuator will not move. The Blend/Passenger feedback signal is a voltage signal that is supplied by the actuator to the control. The signal will be about 4.0 volts in the Heat position and 1.0 volt in the Cold position. As the position of the Blend/Passenger actuator changes, so will the feedback signal. The feedback signal is necessary for the correct positioning of the temperature door.

DRIVER ACTUATOR BACKGROUND
The Driver Actuator can move the temperature door in two directions. When the voltage at Pin 15 of the control module is high, about 11.5 volts, and the voltage at Pin 13 is low, about 1.5 volts the door will move towards the Cold position. When Pin 13 is High and Pin 15 is Low the door will move towards the Heat position. When both Pins are high or when both Pins are low, the actuator will not move. The Driver feedback signal is a voltage signal that is supplied by the actuator to the control. The signal will be about 4.0 volts in the Heat position and 1.0 volt in the Cold position. As the position of the Driver Actuator changes, so will the feedback signal. The feedback signal is necessary for the correct positioning of the temperature door.

MODE ACTUATOR BACKGROUND
The Mode actuator can move the mode door in two directions. When the voltage at Pin 18 of the control module is high, about 11.5 volts, and the voltage at Pin 12 is low, about 1.5 volts the door will move towards the Panel position. When Pin 12 is High and Pin 18 is Low the door will move towards the Defrost position. When both Pin are high or when both Pins are low, the actuator will not move. The Mode door feedback signal is a voltage signal that is supplied by the actuator to the control. The signal will be about 4.5 volts in the Panel position and 0.5 volts in the Defrost position. As the position of the Mode actuator changes, so will the feedback signal. The feedback signal is necessary for the correct positioning of the mode door.

FAIL CODES/LEVEL DISPLAY
Fail Codes/Level are displayed using the REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT LED's flashing in the sequence indicated below. The REAR WIPER LED represents the Level and the INTERMITTENT LED represents the Value. After Calibration/Diagnostics is completed, the control will begin flashing Level 1 codes. Depressing the WASH button will cycle to Level 2, depressing WASH again will cycle to Level 3. Each time the WASH button is depressed will cycle to the next level. After Level 5 is reached, you will cycle back to Level 1. If the Control is a Heater Only you will only cycle from Levels 1 to 3.

WIPE BUTTON LED
LEVEL DISPLAY
1 FAIL CODES
2 MODE POTENTIOMETER TEST
3 BLEND/PASS. POTENTIOMETER TEST
4 EVAPORATOR PROBE (A/C AND ZONE UNITS ONLY)
5 DRIVER POTENTIOMETER (ZONE UNITS ONLY)

LEVEL 1 - FAILURE CODE VALUES (INTERMITTENT WIPE BUTTON LED)
CODE DEFINITION
0 PASSED ALL TESTS
1 MODE ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH DEFROST POSITION
2 MODE ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH PANEL POSITION
3 BLEND/PASS. ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH COLD STOP
4 BLEND PASS. ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH HEAT STOP
5 EVAPORATOR PROBE OPEN
6 EVAPORATOR PROBE SHORTED
7 DRIVER ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH COLD STOP
8 ZONE/DRIVER ACTUATOR DID NOT REACH HEAT STOP
9 CONTROL HEAD INTERNAL FAILURE

TEMPERATURE AND MODE POTENTIOMETER DIAGNOSTICS
The Temperature and Mode Potentiometer can be tested after calibration is complete by pressing the WASH button and cycling to Levels 2, 3 or 5 as displayed by the REAR WIPER LED. On Heater Only units you can only cycle to Levels 2 and 3. In each individual test the INTERMITTENT LED flash rate will change as the Temperature or Mode potentiometer is moved from one end to the other, see Potentiometer vs. Position and Flash Rate table.

POTENTIOMETER vs. POSITION AND FLASH RATE
POTENTIOMETER INTERMITTENT LED FASTER FLASH RATE INTERMITTENT LED SLOWER FLASH RATE
MODE PANEL DEFROST
BLEND/PASS. HOT COLD
DRIVER HOT COLD

EVAPORATOR PROBE TEMPERATURE DIAGNOSTICS
The evaporator probe can be tested by using the INTERMITTENT LED to display the actual temperature the sensor is reading. The HVAC control module can only display temperatures from 1 to 99 degrees. To read the temperature, perform the following:

•Set Blower motor to any speed other than OFF
•Set A/C to ON, if A/C Clutch does not engage make sure Fail Codes 5 and 6 are cleared.To clear the error code 5 and 6 the evaporator probe and/or the wiring repair needs to be completed. Then, press and hold the intermittent wipe button for 5 seconds.
•Run Diagnostics (Depress REAR WIPER and REAR WASH)
•When Diagnostics is complete, Cycle to Level 4.
Display Sequence is as follows:

•REAR WIPER LED will display the Level
•INTERMITTENT LED will display ten's digit
•Short Pause
•INTERMITTENT LED will display the one's digit.
The HVAC control module will continue to cycle the Level and then Temperature until the level is changed or Calibration Diagnostics and Cooldown test is exited.

 

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This reply just hit my email. I'll be giving it a try in the next day or two. jrsteele's reply is also interesting. Something that I forgot to post was that if the van is running long enough, the lights stop blinking. Letting it warm up on cold mornings, or traveling more than 15, 20 minutes. I did have a beat battery last summer that i rolled with till winter and cold crank mornings, at which time I replaced it. I had some hope that this might help the problem, as i had somewhere heard of the sort of thing that jrsteele was mentioning. When it did not solve it, i figured something needed to be reset. So...thank you both for your input. I will update after giving it a try.