I have a 97 Dodge Caravan that I had recently replaced the battery. I noticed that following the battery change the heater control panel buttons started blinking. Despite the blinking lights, operation of each button is working.
Is there a way to reset the program without bringing the van to the car dealer?

 

I did a quick google for your problem. what i found said to disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 minutes. The blinking is kind of like the check engine light. When the battery went bad, it more than likely caused a code to set. Here is the procedure to reprogram the heater controls if disconnecting the battery doesn't work.

Procedure to reprogram control panel:

1) Set BLOWER to HIGH
2) Set MODE to PANEL
3) Set TEMP to COLD
4) Press WASH and REAR WIPER together, hold to 5 seconds.
There will be a series of flashing lights. When done, the REAR WIPER should be the only one flashing.
5. Press REAR WIPER to EXIT

At least that should work for you. Let me know how it goes.

 

Just a note to add to the above, make sure engine is warm up and keep it running while doing the reset, if it failed first time, shut the engine off and try it again. It should works.

 

Calibration/Cooldown Test LED's

NO LEDS FLASHING NORMAL OPERATION
PASSED CALIBRATION, DIAGNOSTICS AND COOLDOWN
----------------------------------------------------
REAR WIPER AND INTERMITTENT LEDS FLASHING SIMULTANEOUSLY
FAILED CALIBRATION DIAGNOSTICS
RUN CALIBRATION TEST
----------------------------------------------------
A/C AND RECIRC LEDS FLASHING SIMULTANEOUSLY
FAILED COOLDOWN
RUN COOLDOWN TEST
----------------------------------------------------
REAR WIPER AND INTERMITTENT LEDS FLASHING SIMULTANEOUSLY
A/C AND RECIRC LEDS FLASHING SIMULTANEOUSLY
FAILED CALIBRATION, DIAGNOSTIC AND FAILED COOLDOWN TEST
RUN CALIBRATION TEST
----------------------------------------------------



NOTE: See chart for definition of flashing LED's. If no problems are found, the control functions normally.

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. Cool-down test is running if A/C and RECIRC are alternately flashing.
Acceptable result is REAR WIPER LED is the only LED flashing. Push Rear Wiper to exit.
After all tests have passed, Calibration Diagnostics and Cool-down can be run separately.
COOL DOWN TEST ENTRY



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.

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
RESULTS:


All LED's will turn on for 5 Seconds
Cool-down Test is running when A/C and RECIRC are alternately flashing. If A/C and RECIRC are flashing simultaneously, Cool-down has failed.
CALIBRATION DIAGNOSTICS AND COOL-DOWN 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 Cool-down was entered.
The HVAC control module will return to normal operation or may indicate unsuccessful Calibration Diagnostics or Cool-down test by LED's flashing simultaneously.
Hope this helps ya,
Billy

 

Hello crazycory22,

I did all the test that you have suggested but still gets the rear wiper and intermittent wiper control buttons flashing simultaneously.

I re-did the Calibration / coo down test entry and results were as indicated but both rear wiper and intermittent wiper buttons remained flashing.

I else can you suggest.

Thanks
Tony ABC

 

Hello billys68ss,

I did all the test that you have suggested but still gets the rear wiper and intermittent wiper control buttons flashing simultaneously.

I re-did the Calibration / cool down test entry and results were as indicated but both rear wiper and intermittent wiper buttons remained flashing.

I else can you suggest.

Thanks
Tony ABC