Greetings,

New to the forum. Nice place you have here.

Just acquired a 2003 B3500 (Cargo). .

Haven't, found a good manual yet. In my past Chrysler years I've ordered the Genuine shop manual. Is that still the consensus?

The first issue I want to attack is the rotary mode selector switch for the heat/Ac/Def. I've searched here and didn't find to much as it relates it my particular issue. Lots on the blend door and blower resistor. But not much on the rotary switch.

My symptoms: Blower and blower switch works fine. temperature control works fine. Airflow is coming out of ONLY the dash vents. I do hear the compressor cycling on and off sometimes. And the air temp is commensurate with the temperature control.

The mode selector **** appears to be broken. I mean physically broken. It turns the proper amount (lock to lock, OFF to DEF) BUT...... When it moves from OFF into the detents from OFF to somewhere between DASH and FLOOR (the first 4 or 5 settings), you can feel it click into place (like it should) but nothing changes with the airflow (still all coming out the dash vents), but my point is that you can feel the ****/switch "click" into the first 4 or 5 settings.

After those settings, the last two on the right, (FLOOR/DEF and FULL DEF), the **** just flops in the breeze between both of them. It feels like it's attached to nothing. It doesn't "click" into the last 2 or 3 settings, just spins freely.

I have looked for a part for it, and can only find it as a whole panel, with blower switch, temp control and mode selector ($$)

So my questions are: Does anyone know if this rotary mode switch is available as a separate switch? I know the blower switch can be bought separately. I haven't looked for the temp control (I don't need either of those)

Secondly, I have not taken it apart yet, so I don't know if this is a vacuum version or an electric/servo version. Thoughts?

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Common problem on these vans is a vacuum leak. Could check previous post's for fixes.

 

Well.... I am embarrassed to say the least. I guess I'll have to surrender my "man card" for a few days.

I took the bezel off today and removed the HVAC control panel that houses the 3 controls. Blower, Temp & Mode. I should have done this before submitting the question.

Anyway, what I found was that once I got to the panel, the vacuum lines were so tight (not enough slack), I couldn't remove the rotary mode switch (easily). In the mean time, I twisted the **** and found that the "D" channel with the metal insert in the **** was cracked. Testing the function of the switch with a pair of needle nose pliers, proved the switch (and everything else) was good.

The cracked **** gave the "appearance" of detenting in the first few settings, but in reality, it was just catching on the sides of the broken "D" channel, then spinning freely on the last two settings.

See attached for a pic of the cracked one and and the new one ($8 at Autozone). Hopefully, this will help someone in the future.

All fixed. Now I just need a recommendation on a manual.

Thanks.

 

Known issue, fortunately Jeep and Dodge trucks all use the same **** so if you shop around you can get a better price. Recommend you order a few extra as the they will all fail eventually no matter how careful you are. I keep a couple spares in my glove box.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Interior-...n=JEP5011218AC

Rockauto has them too.

Dodge factory body and powertrain manuals at least, IMO you should pick up the entire set.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...anual&_sacat=0