Probs with heater/air controls
Discussion
Hello - I have had this prob since I first purchased the car, but have chosen to drive only under nice weather conditions, so I haven't given it much thought till now. With the temps starting to get in the 80's, I thought it was about time to ask for some help/advice...
I have a 93.5. Since I am not sure if the controls are the same as the 93 or the 94, let me explain to you what I have to maybe help cut through any confusion.
Starting on the left, I have a large knob that indicates red with a defrost symbol on the left and transitions to blue with a '0' on the right. The next knob to the right is small and has a white bar across the top that goes from '0' and goes to a symbol of a fan (obviously the fan speed). The next knob is also small with a blue bar across the top that starts with a '0' and ends with a symbol of a snowflake (obviously the A/C control). The last knob is large with a white bar across the top that starts with a defrost symbol, then goes to a fresh air symbol just past halfway, then ends with the recirc symbol.
Now... how the heck is this supposed to work? Common sense tells me that if I want hot air, I should be able to set the left knob in the red zone (but not on defrost), fan speed to anything but '0', and the far right knob to fresh or recirc. The problem I have is that the only hot air I can get is when I set it up for defrost. I can not get hot air to come out of the dash vents. I haven't verified it yet, so I don't know if I can get cold air to come out of the defrost.
As far as air conditioning... The A/C knob engages the compressor, but with no noticeable temp change when set up blowing cold air through the dash vents. I just assume it needs charging, but with not being able to get the controls working the way I think they should, I am holding off, till I found out what is wrong with me or the car...
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance - Mike
I have a 93.5. Since I am not sure if the controls are the same as the 93 or the 94, let me explain to you what I have to maybe help cut through any confusion.
Starting on the left, I have a large knob that indicates red with a defrost symbol on the left and transitions to blue with a '0' on the right. The next knob to the right is small and has a white bar across the top that goes from '0' and goes to a symbol of a fan (obviously the fan speed). The next knob is also small with a blue bar across the top that starts with a '0' and ends with a symbol of a snowflake (obviously the A/C control). The last knob is large with a white bar across the top that starts with a defrost symbol, then goes to a fresh air symbol just past halfway, then ends with the recirc symbol.
Now... how the heck is this supposed to work? Common sense tells me that if I want hot air, I should be able to set the left knob in the red zone (but not on defrost), fan speed to anything but '0', and the far right knob to fresh or recirc. The problem I have is that the only hot air I can get is when I set it up for defrost. I can not get hot air to come out of the dash vents. I haven't verified it yet, so I don't know if I can get cold air to come out of the defrost.
As far as air conditioning... The A/C knob engages the compressor, but with no noticeable temp change when set up blowing cold air through the dash vents. I just assume it needs charging, but with not being able to get the controls working the way I think they should, I am holding off, till I found out what is wrong with me or the car...
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance - Mike
Hey Mike,
Sounds like it is the same as the earlier (88-92) cars. Try:
For heat, left knob to the red, right knob to about 10 o'clock, fan on, round vent at the knee closed.
For AC, left knob all the way to the right, right knob to about 3 or 4 o'clock, AC knob to Snowflake, round vent at knee open, fan on.
What ever did you do with your speedo?
Dr.Hess
Sounds like it is the same as the earlier (88-92) cars. Try:
For heat, left knob to the red, right knob to about 10 o'clock, fan on, round vent at the knee closed.
For AC, left knob all the way to the right, right knob to about 3 or 4 o'clock, AC knob to Snowflake, round vent at knee open, fan on.
What ever did you do with your speedo?
Dr.Hess
the picture of the defrost on the temp dial is just an indication of where the dial should be for best defrost.. obvious to most people but Law says that the best defrost position must be indicated.
So if you want hot go full red....
The fan and AC knob are self explanitory
AC knob is on a dail so it will cut on and off ( which is a bit better than the standard ON/Off button )
now for the rotary direction control.... it only has 4 positions, and does not work to "blend " between positions... and you have to frig around a bit o learn where exactly each spot is.
and the vacuum pump has to be working well..
next the heat wont come out the face vents and the AC wont come out the floor or defrost..
that help?
Bruce
s4s
So if you want hot go full red....
The fan and AC knob are self explanitory
AC knob is on a dail so it will cut on and off ( which is a bit better than the standard ON/Off button )
now for the rotary direction control.... it only has 4 positions, and does not work to "blend " between positions... and you have to frig around a bit o learn where exactly each spot is.
and the vacuum pump has to be working well..
next the heat wont come out the face vents and the AC wont come out the floor or defrost..
that help?
Bruce
s4s
Thanks guys...
I haven't had the car out much since I got it, so maybe it will just take some messing around with.
The mention of the vacuum pump has me concerned since everything has worked so well on the car so far. I keep expecting to find something going out. Is there any other indicators I might look for that would show if the vacuum pump is weak?
Dr. Hess - I messed around with the tripometer and the odometer has been working ever since. I will have to see your setup before I decide to go that route. I have some info jotted down from the mailing list on a couple of places I can send it to have it repaired if need be. So far the car has been a dream come true (literally!!!). I hope to deal with the dreaded red hose and the fuel tank vent hose this week or next (still messing around with my rebuilt diesel engine in my 3/4 ton ford). I took it out a couple of weekends ago to Blanchard Springs and got a couple of nice "scenic" photos. Mostly I have been trying to deal with the overall appearance of the car. I was not pleased with the shotty detailing that the car had been through (looks like many times over). I have been using Zaino Bros to get it back in shape. I would say I am about halfway to where I want to be right now, BUT I have to say I am awestruck by the results after using Zaino. I have had people that only saw the car once and not knew I had been using Zaino, and they have immediately asked me what I have done to the car. I am not sure what improvement it would be on another color car, but on this black, it has literally been unbelievable. I have opted to wait till winter to have the bumpers repainted, so in the meantime I am touching up the front (so far, so good). I have used Leatherique once on the interior with good results, but to be on the safe side I hope to pull the seats out in the next couple of weeks and go over them properly, and shampoo the carpet thoroughly.
Thanks again for the help...
Mike
I haven't had the car out much since I got it, so maybe it will just take some messing around with.
The mention of the vacuum pump has me concerned since everything has worked so well on the car so far. I keep expecting to find something going out. Is there any other indicators I might look for that would show if the vacuum pump is weak?
Dr. Hess - I messed around with the tripometer and the odometer has been working ever since. I will have to see your setup before I decide to go that route. I have some info jotted down from the mailing list on a couple of places I can send it to have it repaired if need be. So far the car has been a dream come true (literally!!!). I hope to deal with the dreaded red hose and the fuel tank vent hose this week or next (still messing around with my rebuilt diesel engine in my 3/4 ton ford). I took it out a couple of weekends ago to Blanchard Springs and got a couple of nice "scenic" photos. Mostly I have been trying to deal with the overall appearance of the car. I was not pleased with the shotty detailing that the car had been through (looks like many times over). I have been using Zaino Bros to get it back in shape. I would say I am about halfway to where I want to be right now, BUT I have to say I am awestruck by the results after using Zaino. I have had people that only saw the car once and not knew I had been using Zaino, and they have immediately asked me what I have done to the car. I am not sure what improvement it would be on another color car, but on this black, it has literally been unbelievable. I have opted to wait till winter to have the bumpers repainted, so in the meantime I am touching up the front (so far, so good). I have used Leatherique once on the interior with good results, but to be on the safe side I hope to pull the seats out in the next couple of weeks and go over them properly, and shampoo the carpet thoroughly.
Thanks again for the help...
Mike
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