Changing manual climate control to automatic.

[Mish_Mish]

I have a very early '91 German market 124036 and it came with manual climate control (see pic). Is it possible to just install a more common automatic version without any major modifications? My wood panel is damaged and it is easier to find wood panel with common automatic control.

 

[gsxr]

Not possible without MASSIVE modification. The entire heater/evaporator box has to be replaced, along with much of the plumbing & hoses in the engine compartment. Most USA owners want to convert TO manual climate control, to get the 4 separate fan speeds. Automatic does not work as well as it sounds.

Send the wood to Madera Concepts for refinishing.

 

[Mish_Mish]

Not possible without MASSIVE modification. The entire heater/evaporator box has to be replaced, along with much of the plumbing & hoses in the engine compartment. Most USA owners want to convert TO manual climate control, to get the 4 separate fan speeds. Automatic does not work as well as it sounds.

Send the wood to Madera Concepts for refinishing.

Great to know. I will google them and obviously refinish the wood. Thank you.

 

[Markus-MD]

I hate my Automatic climate Contronl. Its Rubish and from the last century,No Diagnostic and the Fan speed is never optimal.Please hold your System

 

[gsxr]

There are basic diagnostics available from the ACC, via blink-code reader only (pin #16). The main issue is the fan speed is NEVER optimal. Low is too low, high is too high, and auto is always wrong.

 

[Mish_Mish]

Great, it will read like this: A low mileage grey market 500E with the most desirable manual climate control, hurry up and buy!

 

[alabbasi]

I think it might be easier to get your wooden panel redone.

 

[kwontumspeed]

There are basic diagnostics available from the ACC, via blink-code reader only (pin #16). The main issue is the fan speed is NEVER optimal. Low is too low, high is too high, and auto is always wrong.

And this blows worst in the southern summer heat, excuse the pun

 

[masayoshi]

I want to change from automatic to manual. Automatic control is unwise. Above all, the manual operation panel is cool.

 

[gsxr]

I want to change from automatic to manual. Automatic control is unwise. Above all, the manual operation panel is cool.

I also wanted to change from automatic to manual, until I saw how much work it required. Ooooof!

 

[Mish_Mish]

Not possible without MASSIVE modification. The entire heater/evaporator box has to be replaced, along with much of the plumbing & hoses in the engine compartment. Most USA owners want to convert TO manual climate control, to get the 4 separate fan speeds. Automatic does not work as well as it sounds.

Send the wood to Madera Concepts for refinishing.

Yea, this is not going to work out, mmkay:

****"​

"So on the pictures you sent I did see any door panels or the front tambor door lid. So to just Refinish the parts in the pictures it’s $1290.00 plus shipping and turnaround time is 10-12 business days.​

​

We are at your service!​

​

Happy Motoring,​

****"​

off to the local furniture restoration shop she goes

 

[outrbnks]

Just a trivia question, but does the manual heat/ac control system still use vacuum pods?
The last really good HVAC control system I experienced was on my old 94 Pathfinder, (really miss that truck).
The interior air direction controls were basically maintenance free, simple old fashion choke cables operated by the control levers.
When you moved the heat/ac control levers there was a satisfying engagement feel and sound, there was no mistaking if the flaps were working correctly or not. Today's designers I'm sure could build much more robust maintenance free control systems. But then they need something fancy to help attract the initial purchase, and there are service shops and parts markets to keep in business as well.

 

[Mish_Mish]

Just a trivia question, but does the manual heat/ac control system still use vacuum pods?
The last really good HVAC control system I experienced was on my old 94 Pathfinder, (really miss that truck).
The interior air direction controls were basically maintenance free, simple old fashion choke cables operated by the control levers.
When you moved the heat/ac control levers there was a satisfying engagement feel and sound, there was no mistake the flaps were working.
Today's designers I'm sure could build much more robust maintenance free control systems. But then they need something fancy to help attract the initial purchase, and there are service shops and parts markets to keep in business as well.

I think it uses manual linkage, because then I turn it I feel the load of moving things.

 

[gsxr]

Just a trivia question, but does the manual heat/ac control system still use vacuum pods?

EPC indicates the manual system (Tempmatik) does use vacuum pods, but fewer of them. Bad news is it appears to only lose the two that are accessible with the dash in place, the remaining four pods on the manual system (2 main air/recirc, 1 center vent, 1 diverter) require pulling the dash.

 

[outrbnks]

That's too bad, having no vacuum pods at all would be my only motivation to change to manual.

 

[gsxr]

That's too bad, having no vacuum pods at all would be my only motivation to change to manual.

My motivation was 4 selectable fan speeds, plus separate left/right temperature control, and (in some models) REST function. I vaguely recall REST wasn't offered on M119 but I don't know why not.