R33 - A/c + Clock Share Same Fuse?

[sl33py]

My clock doesn't work at all (doesn't light up) and my climate control keeps forgetting what it was last set to and starts at 25 every morning. I checked all the fuses under the dash - had two blown but neither fixed it (f**k knows what else has been broken lol, I haven't noticed anything).

Anyway, I noticed the A/C fuse is a large one under the hood. I don't spose it's shared by the clock?? I haven't had time to check the fuses under the hood yet, but it wouldn't surprise me... I'm hoping this is the simple answer and that fuse just needs replacing. Otherwise, all my fuses are fine and I have a larger problem

Another thing: I've sometimes got the *clack clack clack* noise when the A/C comes on cos of the dodgy actuator/ louvre mechanism slipping. Is there any chance that problem could have caused the fuse to go (if, indeed it's gone)? And hence I need to solve it to stop the fuse from blowing again? Just a thought..

[RANDY]

My actuator thing makes that noise, but it doesn't affect my clock or A/C. Everything works perfectly but I wouldn't mind knowing what to do to get rid of that noise!

You might want to check the wiring to the back of the dash panel. If the clock isn't plugged in? I beleive the clock backup power is the same as the A/C backup power. (small power given to them when the car is off) So your A/C prob is just one dodgy wire (backup power), which is why it resets. Your clock might have no power at all by the sounds of it.

[sl33py]

Hrmm. Yeah hoping it's a simple and obvious broken connection like you said cos this morning the auto elec made it pretty clear the only kinda problem solving he can do on the car is pretty low-level since they don't work on skylines very often. *fingers crossed* I half expect it to be a common connection broken as it would make sense to me if the clock and A/C both use the same line to remember their settings. But then, the clock is dead altogether, not just forgetful, so who knows

[sl33py]

They said it was a potential short circuit in the dash. Makes sense, fuses don't go for no reason So the A/C memory and the clock are both fixed now. Oh, and in the brief fiddle I had while driving back to work, I no longer have the "clack clack clack" noise when changing the A/C settings. I wonder if maybe the motor that made that noise was looking for a particular voltage/resistance, and if it couldn't find it cos of the short, it just kept trying and stopped after a preset time (the 5-7 seconds everyone seems to hear the noise). Just a thought..

[RANDY]

Oh yeah! That could make sense! Same way the power window on the drivers side will stop when you use auto up/down. It senses voltage resistance and kills the power.

[sl33py]

Yeah

Though, I found out yesterday that I've now lost any kinda signal from my head unit regardless of volume / signal source or amp settings... maybe the "short" they found was the signal wire - nice one guys! Goin back monday...

[bilbo117]

hmm i once lost the memory bit of my climate control. if u look a little to the left of your steering wheel theres a little grilly bit (r33 anyhow) behind there is a plug i think its so the A/C knows the temp??? anyhow, if its unplugged, memory no longer functions i found. hope this may help

[cowie165]

Wow, very interesting thread.

My R32 has similar dramas. Aircon compressor will not start and after trying two different clocks neither worked.

Might be time to pull the dash apart? I'm not 100% on what to look for but very interested to read that they are possibly related.

[MR R33]

when my clock wire burnt out, the climate control would go always to 25deg everytime i turned the car on, as soon as i fixed the clock it was all good. the clock is also connected to that beepin sound when you open the doors with the lights on or the keys in.

dave....