legacycentral bbs

So I was poking around at the junkyard today and I came across a 91 wagon with an automatic climate control unit installed in it. I had no idea these existed, and I'm wondering about the compatibility.

There were what looked like motorized controllers attached to the adjustments for the temperature and the vent selectors... they looked almost the same as the manual setup, I didn't have time to find all the differences. There were two wiring harnesses attached to the back of the unit, one that went to the temp adjustment and one that disappeared somewhere back in the dash. It had an intake tube for the temperature sensor that went from a vent in the control unit down past the accelerator pedal and again disappeared somewhere I didn't see. Those were the only connections to the panel, no cables or anything.

From looking at it, it seems like the brains of the unit are somewhere back in the dash separate from the control panel. To swap, I would guess that I would need the control panel, the two harnesses that come out of it, the motorized adjusters, the intake hose, the brain (wherever it is), and some sensors.

I did some searching but found nothing conclusive. Has anyone actually done this, or know what exactly it involves?

whoa...auto climate control sounds like a JDM thing to me...of course, the BC/BF had a lot of weird trim levels.

Can't help ya on the technical, I only know a little about my BK's system.

'twas an option back in 91. It's in my manual.

Yeah....it was an option in the 90 & 91 MY's.

You need all the various sensors that go with it to make it work. You couldn't just take the unit and put it into your manual setup and expect it to work without some re-wiring.

OK, not worth it to me then. I like the manual one well enough.

jnorion wrote:So I was poking around at the junkyard today and I came across a 91 wagon with an automatic climate control unit installed in it. I had no idea these existed, and I'm wondering about the compatibility.

There were what looked like motorized controllers attached to the adjustments for the temperature and the vent selectors... they looked almost the same as the manual setup, I didn't have time to find all the differences. There were two wiring harnesses attached to the back of the unit, one that went to the temp adjustment and one that disappeared somewhere back in the dash. It had an intake tube for the temperature sensor that went from a vent in the control unit down past the accelerator pedal and again disappeared somewhere I didn't see. Those were the only connections to the panel, no cables or anything.

From looking at it, it seems like the brains of the unit are somewhere back in the dash separate from the control panel. To swap, I would guess that I would need the control panel, the two harnesses that come out of it, the motorized adjusters, the intake hose, the brain (wherever it is), and some sensors.

I did some searching but found nothing conclusive. Has anyone actually done this, or know what exactly it involves?

I know that this is an old discussion but I thought I would add to it.

I have a 91 LS with the automatic climate control. And you are right; they are extremely rare. One parts guy had worked at the dealership for almost 20 years and he had never seen one installed. He took pictures of mine! There are multiple sensors that detect sunlight load (sensor next to windshield on drivers side) a sensor behind grill badge (outside temp sensor) plus everyting else you discovered. The system is really nice but your options on changing airflow direction are very limited. You set the temp, it does everything else. You can't tell the computer to send the airflow to the dash or the floor. Airflow is determined by outside temp, inside temp and if it determines it is day or night (windshield sensor) . During the winter, the heater won't come on until the engine temp begins to rise. The brain is in the dashboard control unit. I've heard that to replace the main unit if mine fails costs around $1500. I've considered scrounging around junkyards to find another one as a standby but I don't think I need to.

very interesting...

Sounds like a pretty impressive system, but it also sounds like way more work than I really want to put into it. Thanks for the info though!

jnorion wrote:Sounds like a pretty impressive system, but it also sounds like way more work than I really want to put into it. Thanks for the info though!

Good choice. To install it correctly, it would probably take a LOT of determination. God help me if anything goes wrong on my system.

91LegLS wrote:Good choice. To install it correctly, it would probably take a LOT of determination. God help me if anything goes wrong on my system.

Consider also: 92-97 SVX's have this same system. I'm willing to be also that they share the same set up. So, in that regard, I bet it wouldn't be that hard.

Manarius wrote:

91LegLS wrote:Good choice. To install it correctly, it would probably take a LOT of determination. God help me if anything goes wrong on my system.

Consider also: 92-97 SVX's have this same system. I'm willing to bet also that they share the same set up. So, in that regard, I bet it wouldn't be that hard.

I wonder if anyone has tried to remove the system from an SVX and install it in a Legacy or Impreza. That would be one brave individual.