2013 AC Glitching

[Rodewaryer]

New to vehicle and forum. Hello all. Got a 2013 Limited to do some towing I need done. Renting was proving to be weird due to limitations on periods of time and costs. Will address that another time. Took an unladen trial run recently from Arizona to northern Montana (the route I need to do the towing). Very nice vehicle. I am not into things this large and expected...well... issues with 'largeness'. I experienced very few. It was flawless, ran and drove perfectly until our return (3,000+ mi later) when suddenly there was no AC. Nothing on the climate control panel at all, it wouldn't allow us to even run fans for outside air or anything. However, the rear AC worked. Set it up for a visit to the dealer and low and behold before I take it to the appointment, a day later the AC works. Took it anyway because I'm not going to live with a system I can't rely on. Dealer tells me it's working (duh) but that this issue is likely "the control panel" itself which of course in not available. Ok, I look that up and find only these HVAC Blower Motor Resistor (or kits) EVERYWHERE I look. As if it's a common failure. I see no one offering the dash control panel anywhere. Has someone experienced this type of intermittent AC issue?

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Read this: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163573-0001.pdf

Then watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=42Ae37Zx90E

 

[Rodewaryer]

Wow, most excellent. I find this harness suggestion more likely than what the dealer suggested. Thanks very much.

 

[Jamo]

I replaced my resistor and harness a few years ago and it has been good ever since. When I lost my front fan, no matter the setting, I could wiggle the plug and get it working again. A few of the contacts were burnt. Mine is a 2014 EL LTD, and I absolutely love driving it.
Hope your fix is as easy...

 

[Rodewaryer]

Seems to verify how common this issue is. Thanks!

 

[Rodewaryer]

I replaced my resistor and harness a few years ago and it has been good ever since. When I lost my front fan, no matter the setting, I could wiggle the plug and get it working again. A few of the contacts were burnt. Mine is a 2014 EL LTD, and I absolutely love driving it.
Hope your fix is as easy...

Got a call from the dealer. They took my advice and looked specifically at these components. They found the contacts looking burnt and the resistor looking....can't remember his words, but it looked fried. They're doing them both under warranty. Figures of course since I already had the kit on order and it's in transit....

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Got a call from the dealer. They took my advice and looked specifically at these components. They found the contacts looking burnt and the resistor looking....can't remember his words, but it looked fried. They're doing them both under warranty. Figures of course since I already had the kit on order and it's in transit....

It is a very known issue. The dealer should have checked the harness connection on your first visit. It only takes several minutes to check it.

At least the issue will be repaired.

 

[Jamo]

I think I jinxed myseld responding here. My wife said she had to wiggle the connector the other day when she drove my Expedition.
Did you buy aftermarket or OEM? I'll buy yours if you'd like when it comes in. I really can't do winter up here with intermittent defrost and heat. Let me know what you want, shipping would be to Lee Center, NY 13363.
I think we can PM each other here, right?