Dodge RAM Climate Control Problems - Symptoms and Solutions

There may be numerous types of automobiles available in the market today, from Sedans, Sport Utility Vehicles, to crossover vehicles. But nothing beats the convenience and reliability of pick-up trucks.

The ability to haul almost anything and go through rough terrains while still looking stylish on the road is the reason why trucks are the go-to vehicle. One of the most popular trucks leading the market is the Dodge RAM. It tops the truck market by its reliability and road/off-road performance.

Additionally, there are certain features that you don't usually see in a vehicle designed for extreme conditions. It has a rugged exterior and a comfortable interior and of course, a high-quality climate control system.

Automobiles usually contain an air conditioning system that heats or cools the interior of the car. Dodge's innovative climate control provides reliable cooling/heating components. They are known to deliver maximum performance in different weather conditions.

Also, its interactive infotainment system and knobs let the passengers control the temperature to their desire inside the cabin. It has specific temperature settings designed to fit the different preferences of the passengers. This will assure the comfort of the person inside the vehicle.

How to operate Dodge Ram Climate Control?

Modern Trucks contain an infotainment system located in the middle of the dash. It controls the different features of the car including Climate Control. The Climate Control in your truck contains various settings to achieve your desired temperature inside. First, there are two scales on the left and right sides of the panel.

These scales control the temperature in two areas of the truck. The left side adjusts the temperature on the driver's side and the right side controls the temperature on the passenger side. These scales can be adjusted by the arrows on the top and bottom or by manually sliding them up and down.

Second, the fan symbol at the bottom of the panel adjusts the blower's speed, the higher the number, the stronger the airflow from the vents will be. Third, on the top part of the panel, there will be a button labeled "Auto". If this button is activated, the vehicle will automatically adjust the fan settings and lock the temperature you chose.

And lastly, at the bottom right side of the panel, there is a "Sync" button. This will enable you to have the same temperatures from the left and right sides of the cabin. Other buttons activate the rear vents, to turn off the air conditioning unit entirely, and what ducts will be activated and shut off.

All of these settings can also be adjusted by the knobs located at the bottom of the infotainment panel. These knobs usually contain

What to do if the truck doesn't heat/cool the cabin?

This feature in your car requires complex systems to operate, and yes, they are prone to errors and malfunctions. It usually begins if the desired temperature in the cabin is not delivered by the system. This can be felt through the air ducts in the car. If the ducts do not emit cold or warm air, then there might be an error in the air conditioning system. Solutions for these problems can range from a simple reboot to a trip to a professional mechanic.

1) Rebooting the Climate Control System

Before we spend bundles of cash or meddle with the hardware components of the air conditioning unit of the vehicle, we will try to reset the climate control using the infotainment system sitting in the middle of the dashboard. There is a feature in the vehicle in which it is possible to reset the whole climate control system. Follow the steps provided in a sequencing manner to reset the climate control system.

After activating the infotainment panel, locate the climate/climate control button. This button is usually at the bottom of the panel. Press and hold the button for at least 10 seconds and then release.

After releasing, repeat the process until the lights on the button start flashing. If the button is flashing, then it indicates that the system is rebooted. This will remove any small errors or bugs the system has encountered and resets the system to its factory settings.

2) Checking the cabin air filter

ACU in vehicles contains an air filter to ensure breathable and refreshing air. Air Filters can also be the culprit on why the air conditioning system is not working ideally. Air filters through time and different weather conditions can be dirty. This will cause the whole system to underperform due to decreased airflow.

The Air Filter of the Dodge Ram is located behind the glove box on the passenger side. Gently remove the glove box and there will be a rectangular-shaped panel revealed. Behind this panel is the cabin air filter and it will be labeled with "AIRFLOW" with arrows pointing downward.

Remove the panel and carefully pull out the air filter. The air filter is naturally white in color and damp. If the filter you pulled out is dry and gray with lots of debris, then changing the filter is a must. After buying the same filter from the shop, install the new air filter assuring that the labeled air flow is matching the label from the panel.

Temporary fix on the air intake of the climate control system

There are a lot of components involved in Dodge's climate control system, and in this method, we will try to pinpoint the "door" or vent that is controlling the intake of the system. This vent acts like a flap that switches the intake between the air outside the cabin or recirculating the air inside the cabin.

This component is vital because if the weather in your area is too cold for the system, then it will be unable to heat the air coming in efficiently.

This door is located under the glove compartment on the passenger side. After removing the glove compartment and the plastic coverings, the door will be accessible. First, test the functionality of the vent.

Turn on your climate control and check if the door operates perfectly. If it does not, locate the wire connected to the vent and pull it out. Remember to position the vent first wherein it only recirculates the air inside the cabin and then turns off the system.

If the cable is pulled out, then the climate control system will not be able to switch the vent and it will always recirculate the air inside the truck. Take note that this method is not the most efficient way, but it will do the job. It is still ideal to fix the vent entirely by either replacing the motor or reprogramming the climate control system.

Diagnosing the air conditioning system for broken components

Air conditioning systems contain numerous components, but the heart and soul of the system are compressors, evaporators, and heater core. These components are connected by refrigerant lines that are made of copper. It carries the refrigerant that circulates the system and is responsible for cooling/heating the air in the cabin.

1) Refrigerant Lines

Checking the leaks in these copper tubes is mostly done with soap and water. Locate the copper tubes involved in the air conditioning system and use a sponge to apply soap through the lines. If the lines create bubbles with the soap, then it is a sign of a leak from the system. Small leaks from these copper tubes can be sealed with different sealants from the market.

After applying the sealant repeat the process of using soap to assure there are no existing leaks in the system. To add, refrigerant lines can also be blocked due to moisture or wear and tear. This case is not easy to diagnose, and it is recommended to have the services of a professional mechanic.

2) Compressors, Evaporators, and Heater Core

These components are usually hard to diagnose without the eye of a trained professional or help from the computer system of the vehicle. A professional mechanic can connect a scan tool to pinpoint which component is malfunctioning without the risk of replacing working components and spending much more than you should.

AC Refrigerants are liquids that have dangerous effects on humans if handled incorrectly. Inhaling fumes produced by refrigerant or direct contact can lead to catastrophic results. Hiring the services of a professional mechanic will reduce the risks and costs of repairing air conditioning systems.

Conclusion

Dodge RAM's climate control system is one of the vital factors that made them leaders in the market in trucks. Considering its durability and performance as a vehicle, it has a reliable climate control system partnered with smart technology. And, despite the complex systems involved, it is surprisingly user-friendly.

Even if this system is prone to problems and errors, these components are designed to be repairable. Either doing it yourself by tweaking the system now and then or acquiring the services of a professional, nothing beats the utility and reliability of trucks.