Help!!! Anyone else have this problem...ac/heat not working?
 

Just recently my 06 mazda3's a/c and heat won't turn on immediatley. It takes it a few minutes to kick on. Sometimes it doesn't come on at all. Not sure what's wrong with it and need suggestions? Thanks.

When turning on the AC, you should hear the engine fan turn on, and the compressor start. If this doesn't happen immediately and does eventually turn on, it's probably a computer problem. Yes there is a computer board in the passenger compartment as part of the fuse assembly behind the dash, and it controls among other things the AC. I'm pretty sure that board hooks to the AC, it may be somewher nearby.
It may be under warranty or something, since it's not a normal wear item - the good news is if you find a wreck that whole panel is on plugs, so you can easily just unplug everything on a similar model for a replacement.
I've got the electrical schematics at home, let me know if you need to know where to look for connections.

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I don't hear anything at all when I turn my car on..and this morning it didn't turn on at all...usually after my car has been running for a couple of minutes it will kick on...where would I start to look for the computer thingy? haha I don't know much about cars..can you tell?

You said that it doesn't produce heat or cold, does the fan operate properly when the heat / AC isn't working? is it not blowing, or just blowing outside air?
There is a fan fuse (called heater fuse F15) and a relay (R8 or R10 called the blower relay) in the engine compartment fuse box (to the drivers headlight from the battery) that could be bad, or F31 called the "room" fuse that controls the climate control and also the fan relay.

You can try wiggling or tapping on one of those components and see if things turn on and off. If it's beyond that and you aren't familiar with fixing things - take it somewhere that does so you don't cause more issues.

Good luck

Apologies for resurrecting an ancient thread, but I have the exact same problem on my (also 2006) Mazda 3 and it is driving me crazy...

djs2571,

Since the A/C works full blast once it finally does turn on, I was suspecting a control board somewhere as well...but I can't find the one you describe near the passenger fuse box. Nor can I find a reference to one online. Are you saying that there is an A/C computer built *inside* the passenger fuse assembly, so that I'd have to replace the whole fuse assembly?

If so, I see what you mean that the fuse board uses socket plugs, and so would be fairly easy to swap out...

sumo_06,

Did you ever get your AC working again?


thanks,
Astor

The passenger junction box (PJB) is a fuse panel and about 6-7 connectors - with fuses, some logic / computer parts inside as well. It's below / behind the glove compartment. One of the wiring harnesses runs next to part of the AC tubing coming through the firewall - this can condense and run water down the harness into the connector / PJB. This box is a main control center for lighting, horn, AC, look at the fuse list. SO when something goes bad, that's a main suspect - especially since there are a couple people on here that have documented corrosion in the box / connectors.

djs2571,

Thanks so much for the description of the condensation hitting the fuse board. However, I think I've isolated my problem! Based on your earlier post, I tried fiddling with the blower relays in the engine fuse box -- and the next time I started, the A/C kicked in immediately!

The second start had immediate A/C too, but the third took around a minute. So I guess the problem isn't fixed, but now I know a lot more about it. Presumably that relay is flaky and needs to be replaced. Now I just need to figure out what the replacement part is and how to pick it up.

Thanks so much for your help! It hit 104 down in Texas today and I would have been sunk without my A/C.


Astor

I think the relay is one of these.
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...2247-ND/765512
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...2735-ND/647136

In the mean time, just switch the AC one with the horn - see if the AC works and if the horn has issues.

I have the same problem...AC not working on my 2006 Mazda 3 -4 door sedan, 2.3L. I took my car to the Mazda deal and they say it is the AC control panel which is under the radio.

Hi all,

First post so don't bash me too much. ;)

To the point. My girlfriend has a 2008 Mazda 3. Her AC and heat wont come on right away, sometimes it eventually turns on. I am assuming it is the overall compressor. I did read the thread and saw it may be a fuse issue. However, when the AC or heat is on, it sounds like a terrible blender is running under the hood, I can actually hear it coming down the road before I see the car.

I just want to cover all my bases before buying the new compressor and hoping that's the issue.

Any help and or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Same problem!
 

I have a 06 Mazda 3 with a similar problem. I have heat and ac but my fan is not blowing. I replaced the fan and the resistor card and still nothing. I believe the switch on the front panel may be the problem... The fan doesn't start automatically and it can take 5 minutes to 1 hour to come on. Now it isn't coming on at all. Winter will be here soon and I need heat! When I looked at the manual the blower fan fuse was under the glove compartment, I didn't find any blown fuses there. Is there another place to look before resorting to replacing the entire ac heater panel unit??

Same Problem 06 Maza 3
 

I have a 06 Mazda 3 with a similar problem. I have heat and ac but my fan is not blowing. I replaced the fan and the resistor card and still nothing. I believe the switch on the front panel may be the problem... The fan doesn't start automatically and it can take 5 minutes to 1 hour to come on. Now it isn't coming on at all. Winter here in Norway and I need heat! When I looked at the manual the blower fan fuse was under the glove compartment, I didn't find any blown fuses there. Is there another place to look before resorting to replacing the entire ac heater panel unit??