Crazy Climate Control SWAP... UPDATE!
 

OK fellas... I want to know how hard it would be to replace my old three-knob climate-control with an electronic unit. Does the ECC for a 1994 still control with vacuum lines like the three-knob unit does? I realize i would need a couple extra sensors, and some heavy duty install time. But what sensors are required and would it be imposible because of the vaccuum line control on the curent unit?

I want to to this because i have a project coming up that will require me to modify the dash to the point i will probably need to move the climate control to a different location, and with the ECC i will be able to control it with smaller switches once i modify it. (I feel i am electronically advanced enough to do this)

Thanks!
Brandon

you will need alot of differet parts. There is the sensor that is in the middle of the windshiels to tell the temp, there are outside temp sensor. and the vacuume lines are not there on a ECC

Thats unfortunate. I was really hoping it had some sort of electronic vacuum control, but i figgured it would not. Does it then control the flow with motors?

Im not giving up yet... if i can find an ECC off a junked 94 then ill probably still want to do a conversion, just because im running out of dash space fast, and i dont have a console to move things too.

OK, so i got home and reffered to my Bonneville Bible (Yes i have a brand spanking new 1994 Bonneville Factory Service Manual, so anyone with a 94 in need of serious help that Chiltons cant give, ill help you out) And this doesnt LOOK all that hard except for the dissassembly.

My first basic need is a 1994 SSE very cheap (prefferably without engine or trans) or at least to find one at my local "U Pull and Save" junkyard that i can trash for parts. (Maybe even with HUD ;-) )

It requires a few extra sensors and the ECC Programmer Unit (that DOES control the vacuum solenoids) and the head-unit for control. I got all that from a quick browsing of the schematics. f anyone wants to beat me over the head and say im insane, please be my guest. It only requires like one connection to the PCM (AC request) since the actual ECC unit controls everything else.

Let me know what you all think, or if you have experience to help me out / bring me to reality.

On 97-03 Grand Prix's it's near impossible. The 3 knob works conventionally, while the ECC systems used encorporate actuators to move the ducts. These actuators aren't in the Knobbed cars.

I am very curious to see if our cars are the same way, or if they're just diferent in wiring, and some of these sensors.

Hit me up if you need parts, I have most of a 94SSE in my shed. I think I have everything but the CC head, none of the wiring tho.

Well i know from looking in my manual that both the manual and the ECC systems use vacuum-actuators to move the ducts. Heres ehat i have found so far:

ECC vs Manual

-ecc vacuum lines goto a climate control programmer (a PCM for the air conditioning) instead of direct to the panel as on the manual versions

-ecc has an internal and external temperature sensor

-the ecc might also require a sensor on the evaporator and heating coils to sense for moisture that has condensed (doesnt seem necessary, just a creature comfort thing so you dont get water blown all over you if it has condensed)

-ecc has steering wheel control inputs, i dont have the steering wheel controls, seems to me to be not a problem to not hookup

Thats what i can remember off the top of my head... only the first two seem necessary

"Hit me up if you need parts, I have most of a 94SSE in my shed. " - only on Bonneville Club. com
I might need some parts, thanks Dame, howabout the programmer module you have that burried somewheres? (You said you dont have the ECC faceplate right?)

I wondering the exact opposite... How hard would it be to install a 3 knob unit in place of an electronic climate control on a 95 SSE? I've had so much trouble with my ECC throwing codes and not responding that I would be thrilled with the manual version at this point. Is it as simple as swapping units, or how involved would it be

The most difficult part of swapping the other direction is to extend the vacuum lines to reach the main unit... if you do it can i have your temp sensors? :lol: But i dont want your main unit if it keeps throwing codes :P

You are going to have many sleepless nights my friend.. Both of you.


-justin