Will ditigal HVAC work?

[explr1]

I have the regular HVAC controls with knobs. If I put in a digital HVAC control unit, is it just "plug and play?" Will it work with no wiring mods? Thanks......

 

[williecume]

i think i heard people say it is NOT plug and play. might try doing a search for it.

 

[TarHeel085]

heh, ima head out to the junk yard right now to see if i can find one of these.

 

[Robb]

Grab everything. You will, at least, need the temp sensor behind the dash.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I'm interested in this as well.

Although in our 2nd gen Explorers the HVAC control panel at the dash has only wires going to it (unlike the cable/vacuum controlled 1st gen) the Automatic climate control will not just plug in.

The auto-climate control uses a few extra sensors and possibly acutators, in addition to a computer. An upgrade should be possible, since all that would change or be added would be electrical wiring. No modifications of the coolant/heater or A/C or vent systems should be necessary.

So, lets start assembling a list of parts that would be needed, as well as mods to make. I'll take a look at my Ford CD and tell you what I find.

This could be VERY cool.

 

[Harry5150]

I'm in too.

I've got the control unit and vacuum lines so far. Haven't looked to see where the go yet.

 

[99exEB1]

If no one else gets at it, when I start the 'build' process sometime through the summer, I will take as many pics as my memory card will allow on how the stock configuration is. But like I said, not till the summer, sorry.

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

I already looked into it....i got one at the junkyard a month ago, and yes, you will need 3 sensors....a sunload sensor located i think in the engine compartment, but i believe it is in the dash? An ambient air temp. sensor located by the radiator cap on a 4.0 sohc...and an in-cab sensor located in the dash...i think by the radio on the driver's side...must pull dash insert out though...
it is not a plug and play...there are more wires to it....2 wire harnesses...but the only thing that is plug and play is the air hoses...there a five of them...a blue, yellow, black, red, and green....you already have these....
I think it would be no problem if you have a short base console... you just cant operate a rear blower motor since you dont have one... otherwise, i do advise everyone to get a cd rom servise manual...it will tell you what wires go to what...
and NOTE: some digital hvacs have differnt wire colors...
i got a 98...i got my digital hvac out of a 95, the wires did not match...but i believe it would perform the same function...just different wire color...

 

[Harry5150]

BIG COUNTRY- Do you have a picture of what the back of your unit looks like?

Maybe we could possibly trade? I have one I believe is out of a 98 & I need one for a 97 (95-97).

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

I dont have a pic...but i will let you know the color wires...also, they all look the same...its just the wiring is different...on my cd rom for a 98...there is suppose to be a wire there and on the unit...there is no wire there....maybe we could just possibly trade wire harness...do you have white, grey, or black harnesses? i got a grey and black...i believe if i recall i need a grey and white harness....if you got a pic...i'll let you know if there are any differences...but i doubt it...

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

HARRY5150:

yes i do believe they are different...what is your part #, i forgot to bring mine, im at work right now...

but i was looking on my cd-rom service manual for a 98 and it shows some of the buttons have round buttons and curves...the one that I got out of a 95 has all square and rectangle shaped buttons which is the one you need for it to work and hehehe i need yours for mine to work...so yea, get that part # and i'll post mine up the next time i come on...then we could do a trade...

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

HARRY5051:

the part # that i got is F57F-3B494-ABA....also the backing is different from mine that is already on....the truck is a clip on type.....this hvac has you have to put a couple of nuts on for it to be secured...so yea, you probaly do have the one i need.....

oh yea, i forgot...i went to the junkyard...i found the sunload sensor...it is on the passenger side on that black trim on the dash in the back by the windshield...but i couldnt find the in-car temp. sensor...does anyone know where that is? and also does any one know...if the outside temp sensor for the hvac is the one for the overhead console???
and...if anyone out there where the damn Generic Electric Module (GEM) is located in the dash???? the cd-rom says its by the 4x4 switch..... but thats the sport utility 4x4 module....hmmmm...is it saying that the 4x4 module is the GEM????

 

[liquidx9]

just so you know, 95 is a different model digital HVAC, 96-97 is different, and 98+ are different, so three different models, just telling ya guys

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

The sunload sensor is located at the little hole where the front defrost vents are. More specifically, it's off centered to the right. There is also a sensor behind the little gril left of the passenger airbag. But other than that, I don't know much else.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Double post. Sorry.

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

Thanks there both of you....oh hey billy....have you read the post for the autodim mirror lately?
i installed the message center!!! its great

 

[Harry5150]

I have the F67H-19C933-AF.

Here's a picture. I physically fits but the wiring does not. I didn't have any harnesses to directly plug into the HVAC, so I was planning to solder everything.

The vacuum lines also don't match up on mine.

 

[Harry5150]

My existing manual controls.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Originally posted by BIG COUNTRY
Thanks there both of you....oh hey billy....have you read the post for the autodim mirror lately?
i installed the message center!!! its great

Yeah man!! Congrats!! Remember to do a write up!!

 

[Harry5150]

I've found 2 open harness/plugs in the area but don't know what they're for.

This one (blue) is behind the airbag area. It's almost in the correct area for the interior temp sensor.