HVAC Module Programming

[vintage2]

Hello,

I'm looking to flash the HVAC firmware (calibration, strategy, ecu *.vbf) files in my 2013 PIU in order to enable automatic climate control. I'm updating to SYNC 2/3 and the 4" sync bezel / HVAC don't work, basically forcing fail mode full-blast. I'll also be wiring up climate controlled seats (with the TEDs, not the heated pads). I'm hoping to avoid purchasing a different module as the hardware looks pretty much the same, leaving software / firmware probably being the major difference.

Anyway, does anyone with automatic HVAC heated + cooled seats happen to know the correct numbers of the calibration, strategy, ecu *.vbf files used on a 2011-2015? I've randomly googled, downloaded and flashed the numbers (via forscan firmware flashing) of some Taurus Sho firmware files but obviously those lack the rear climate control.

This is the stock MANUAL firmware listing:

Part Number: DB5T-19980-AF
Calibration Level: DB5T-19980-AF
Hardware Number: DB5T-14F213-AA
Secondary Boot Loader: CB5T-14C181-AA
Strategy: DB5T-14C178-EA
Calibration: DB5T-14C179-EB
ECU Configuration: CB5T-14C673-AA

AUTO firmware listing:

???

Thanks!

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
Good luck.

Peter

 

[PlatinumOwner]

From a 2013 Explorer Sport VIN, here is the latest calibration available:

SBL: CB5T-14C181-AA
ECU Software: DB5T-14C178-AK
ECU Config: CB5T-14C673-AA
ECU Calibration: DB5T-14C179-AM

 

[PlatinumOwner]

Here is the software from a 2013 Limited, again the latest calibration:
SBL: BB5T-18D618-AB
ECU Software: DB5T-18D619-AL
ECU Config: BB5T-14C651-BA
ECU Calibration: DB5T-18D620-CM

Software in the Explorer XLT is the same except for the ECU Calibration: DB5T-18D620-AM

 

[vintage2]

Thank you so much PlatinumOwner! I will say simply flashing the auto SPORT firmware listed above to the manual PIU worked for me. Everything appears to be working perfectly except rear defrost for some reason. I'll poke around tomorrow as I just got the 8" bezel today.

PS. Note that if you're looking to flash the limited's firmware listed above, it won't work properly due to that HVAC module has a different board, containing a third plug (c228c on factory wiring diagram). It appears only ambient lighting functionality is on it, though.

 

[vintage2]

Rear defrost and climate controlled seats work with the Sport firmware; so if you have a J2534 scantool, I'd recommend going this route if you want auto AC or sync 2/3.

 

[syncceduppp]

Hello,
Looking for similar help with my 18 PIU. Attempted an upgrade from 4" FCIM non-SYNC to 8" with SYNC and I cannot control heat or cooling. Blower and mode work, but I can't control temperature. I assume that my factory climate control module was programmed to work with only the FCIM found in the PIU, and I need to flash a different firmware/calibration to try to make it work with the new setup. Does anyone have a list of firmware files from say an 18 Sport that I could try flashing? I do plan to install heated or climate controlled seats, and do not have the aux rear HVAC.

Here's what I had from the factory:
Part number: JB5T-19980-GA
Calibration level: JB5T-19980-GA
Strategy : JB5T-14C178-GA
Calibration: JB5T-14C179-GA

Tried this other HVAC module without any difference:
Part number: HB5T-19980-AB
Calibration level: HB5T-19980-AE
Strategy : HB5T-14C178-AE
Calibration: HB5T-14C179-AE

 

[kenbdavis]

Hello,
Looking for similar help with my 18 PIU. Attempted an upgrade from 4" FCIM non-SYNC to 8" with SYNC and I cannot control heat or cooling. Blower and mode work, but I can't control temperature. I assume that my factory climate control module was programmed to work with only the FCIM found in the PIU, and I need to flash a different firmware/calibration to try to make it work with the new setup. Does anyone have a list of firmware files from say an 18 Sport that I could try flashing? I do plan to install heated or climate controlled seats, and do not have the aux rear HVAC.

Here's what I had from the factory:
Part number: JB5T-19980-GA
Calibration level: JB5T-19980-GA
Strategy : JB5T-14C178-GA
Calibration: JB5T-14C179-GA

Tried this other HVAC module without any difference:
Part number: HB5T-19980-AB
Calibration level: HB5T-19980-AE
Strategy : HB5T-14C178-AE
Calibration: HB5T-14C179-AE

I have this same issue, so let me know if there is a solution to this.

 

[peterk9]

I have this same issue, so let me know if there is a solution to this.

Welcome to the Forum.

Peter

 

[syncceduppp]

I haven't found a solution yet. However, I believe the issue is I need to be on the xxxx-18C612-xx line instead of the 19980 where I am now. There's mixed info if switching is possible through flashing the other firmware, or if different hardware is partially or totally necessary.
If anyone can pull the current HVAC module calibration from an 18/19 Sport like PlatinumOwner did above, that'd be very helpful. Otherwise, I'll eventually pay for the temporary license to Ford PTS so I can try to grab the info myself and share it.

 

[kenbdavis]

I haven't found a solution yet. However, I believe the issue is I need to be on the xxxx-18C612-xx line instead of the 19980 where I am now. There's mixed info if switching is possible through flashing the other firmware, or if different hardware is partially or totally necessary.
If anyone can pull the current HVAC module calibration from an 18/19 Sport like PlatinumOwner did above, that'd be very helpful. Otherwise, I'll eventually pay for the temporary license to Ford PTS so I can try to grab the info myself and share it.

I recently bought a used part: HB5T-18C612-BB to see if that resolves the issue. I was closely watching and zooming in on 4DTech install video for the 2017-2018 Explorer, and that was the part number that they replaced the unit with that was in the vehicle in that video. Once it arrives I will post here if it works or not. My current part is HB5T-19980-AB

Thank you so much PlatinumOwner! I will say simply flashing the auto SPORT firmware listed above to the manual PIU worked for me. Everything appears to be working perfectly except rear defrost for some reason. I'll poke around tomorrow as I just got the 8" bezel today.

PS. Note that if you're looking to flash the limited's firmware listed above, it won't work properly due to that HVAC module has a different board, containing a third plug (c228c on factory wiring diagram). It appears only ambient lighting functionality is on it, though.

Could you (or someone) that has done this post "how" exactly you did this using the firmware config from the 2018 Sport?? Did you use ForScan and a cable, or did it require some other special tool to flash the existing controller? Where did you obtain the file that had the firmware that you flashed?

 

[kenbdavis]

So, after replacing the bezel with the dual zone auto HVAC type out of the 2019 explorer model, adding the controller module HB5T-18C612-BB made everything work. HB5T-19980-AB was my old unit, and it was manual only and did not work properly with the new bezel. There's no difference between the footprint (size) or the wiring harness between these two units - you simply swap the one for the other. The unit is held in with one screw underneath the factory CD player unit behind the dash.

--K