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U0164: Lost communication with the HVAC control module

The vehicle network is not receiving messages from the heating and air conditioning module. The car drives fine, but climate control may not respond.

Code U0164 at a glance
CodeU0164
SystemCommunication network
GroupU01xx, Lost communication with control units
TypeGeneric: it means the same on every make
Can you keep driving?Yes, no rush

What U0164 means

The HVAC module controls heating, air conditioning, the blower fan and where the air goes. This code means it has stopped talking to the other control units over the data network. The engine is unaffected, but comfort and sometimes demisting are.

Most common causes

  • Low or unstable battery voltage
  • Blown fuse for the climate module
  • Loose or corroded connector on the control panel or module (common after replacing the radio or removing the console)
  • Poor ground on the module
  • Damaged network wiring behind the dashboard
  • Faulty climate control module or panel

Symptoms

  • Climate control panel blank or unresponsive
  • Air conditioning or blower fan not working
  • Temperature or air distribution cannot be changed
  • Windscreen demisting not working properly

Can you drive with U0164?

Yes, no rush You can drive normally and fix it at your convenience. However, if you cannot demist the windscreen, avoid driving in rain or cold weather until it is repaired.

How to check it

Check whether the blower works at any speed and whether the panel lights up: that helps the garage tell a power fault from a module fault. Also see whether other U codes are stored at the same time.

How to read and clear U0164 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see U0164 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

U0164 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Citroën, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Volvo. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.

What does code U0164 mean?

The HVAC module controls heating, air conditioning, the blower fan and where the air goes. This code means it has stopped talking to the other control units over the data network. The engine is unaffected, but comfort and sometimes demisting are.

Can you drive with U0164?

You can drive normally and fix it at your convenience. However, if you cannot demist the windscreen, avoid driving in rain or cold weather until it is repaired.

How do you clear U0164?

With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, U0164 comes back.