2002-2009 GM Truck/SUV Dorman aftermarket HVAC control head - How to configure and calibrate

Often the HVAC control unit for these vehicles are discontinued, prohibitively expensive, or only available used.
Dorman offers an aftermarket solution for this application, the system will not operate correctly until it’s been configured and calibrated. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
Configurations available:
01-
2003-2004 (Cadillac) Escalade
2003-2004 (Chevrolet) Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
2003-2004 (GMC) Sierra, Yukon
02-
2007 (Chevrolet) Silverado (GMC) Sierra
2005-2006 (Cadillac) Escalade
2005-2006 (Chevrolet) Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
2005-2006 (GMC) Sierra, Yukon
03-
2003-2007 (Hummer) H2
04-
2004 (Buick) Rainier
2003-2004 (Chevrolet) Trailblazer
2003-2004 (GMC) Envoy
2003-2004 (Oldsmobile) Bravada
05-
2005-2006 (Buick) Rainier
2005-2006 (Chevrolet) Trailblazer
2005-2006 (GMC) Envoy
06-
2002 (Chevrolet) Trailblazer
2002 (GMC) Envoy
2002 (Oldsmobile) Bravada
07-
2007 (Buick) Rainier
2007-2009 (Chevrolet) Trailblazer
2007-2009 (GMC) Envoy
#mechanic #cars #tipsandtricks

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

Have you found this video helpful?

[@jeffkaiser9379]

This video showed me how to reset my 2003 Chevy. Silverado comfort control. I was stuck in Paige, Arizona and it took me over an hour to find this video. And I tried multiple times to pull the fuse and reset it. That way, which didn't work after I did this process. It worked immediately and I got back on the road. Thank you for the video.

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

That’s awesome! Glad to hear! Thanks for sharing!

[@96blingin]

THIS is just what I needed!! Thank you!

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

Glad I could help! Thank you for sharing!

[@scottfranson4215]

Thank You , Dad. Again Thanks for the Video it was easy to fallow your video with your vocal description. Dad of 6 Son’s myself . Some are good at taking apart repair & putting it back together . And some are good in the Office . I tell them look what I did for you , you have Buddy’s that show you it takes everyBuddy. How do you spell DAD , SuperMan

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

Thank you!

[@nicholasrodgers9911]

Can you do this method with the original HVAC control head (not aftermarket - the one already in the vehicle)?

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

No the factory HVAC control module will run a self calibration after a battery disconnect…. The first time you turn the key on after a battery disconnect, leave the key on for 2 minutes without touching any HVAC controls, you will hear the doors moving as it self calibrates. If you interrupt this process it will not learn properly. Otherwise it can be done with a scan tool. Thanks.

[@Rahvinfyr]

I saw a video that claimed the actuators can end up damaged after a battery disconnect. Is there any validity to that claim? Does this factory reset solve/avoid damaging them? Thanks.

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

@Rahvinfyr that should not happen unless your actuators were already worn out and ready to fail anyway… That would be due to the worm gears inside being made of plastic when they become worn the teeth start to skip and make a clicking noise. After a battery disconnect the factory HVAC control unit well perform an actuator calibration which forces the doors to their end stops, which would stress out a worn out actuator.

[@sovereignfreespirit]

you specified the setting for your year. but you don't tell people the other selections for other years?

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

I did actually provide the chart with the setting for other vehicles. Thanks.

[@m3rkinfiniteofwgkta]

does this work with a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche?

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

If it is a Dorman replacement part yes. Thanks.

[@nashbruner895]

So when I am trying to do mine it is on 4 I bring it back to 1 click recirculate then it goes back to 04

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

Does it say 51? Press Auto to confirm your selection. Thanks.

[@nashbruner895]

@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist yup tried confirming with the one button and just pushing the auto both just make It go right back to 4. Also the truck is a 03 duramax if that makes any difference

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

@@nashbruner895it should say 51 and then you press recirculate, it should change to 01 and then you press auto. You should also try it disconnect and reboot it… I’ve had to reboot this Dorman control head so many times since installing it. Also it does not function the same and the factory unit does…. Eventually I couldn’t stand it anymore and replaced the Dorman unit with a used factory unit.

[@nashbruner895]

@@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist that's what I'm going to do I have one on the way I've read to many complaints

[@lanaarlaws3139]

My air not blowing will this fix the problem

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

Needs diagnosed. Thank you.

[@bigtj77]

So how do you know what the second digit should be?

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

Thank you for commenting… The second digit is the calibration code for your vehicle that you need to use. Check the video description and the chart also flashes on the screen at 0:43

[@bigtj77]

@@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist I saw that, but how are you supposed to know this calibration code for a specific vehicle? That info isn't there...

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

@@bigtj77 the 03 Yukon in the video requires code 01, or 51….2005 Yukon would require code 02 or 52…..etc. Depending which vehicle you are working on is what code you need to use. What kind of vehicle are you installing into?

[@bigtj77]

@@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist 2003 Olds Bravada

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

That would be code 04 or 54

[@LUZRINC]

Can you replace the analog HVAC control head with the digital one?

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

Interesting question. I'm not sure... I suspect that it could be possible if all of the necessary hardware and wiring harnesses were swapped in. Possibly also may require body control module programming, etc... GM will not help with any of that so it would have to be aftermarket tuning software, etc... I'm sure with enough time and effort it could be done. A quick search online and I found a few results of people successfully converting from digital to analog, but not the other way around. Thanks.

[@LUZRINC]

I did a search and there are sensors you would have to add plus change the wire harness etc. @@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

@@LUZRINC if you already have analog dual zone HVAC you don’t have much to gain other than the auto function in my opinion. Might be worth it to switch from single zone to dual though.

[@LUZRINC]

@@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist yeah. I just like the look of the automatic

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

@LUZRINC I can understand that. I suppose if I ever had some donor vehicles I could experiment in the future.

[@Bobbyleejoe2556]

Stop buying GM is the key to happiness 😢

[@DadsGarageDiagnosticSpecialist]

I suppose that’s one way of looking at it. Thanks.