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'96 CE AC controller removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
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From: Ocklawaha, FL
'96 CE AC controller removal
Problem: No air thru dash vents. They used to come on after 5-10 minutes of driving, but no more.
Read a ton of threads. I checked the vaccum connector under pass. side fuel rail cover. Everything looks fairly new and most everyone that said replacing it, fixed their problem, said it fell a part in their hands. Also it did not rattle when shaken and seemed to seal and release just find when blown on. I found the AC controller and removed the one nut keeping it in place. But I'm not sure how to remove the peice that the lines are attached to on the outside corner of the box. I don't see it in the pictures I've looked at. It's a soft rubber bluish piece that appears to be over the black nipples that everyone says to trim back. Also I've heard that the electrical connection is hard to remove. Thanks for any the help.
Side note: If I can get in and out from under that dash almost anyone should be able. Last week I had shoulder surgery and can't use my left side at all.
Read a ton of threads. I checked the vaccum connector under pass. side fuel rail cover. Everything looks fairly new and most everyone that said replacing it, fixed their problem, said it fell a part in their hands. Also it did not rattle when shaken and seemed to seal and release just find when blown on. I found the AC controller and removed the one nut keeping it in place. But I'm not sure how to remove the peice that the lines are attached to on the outside corner of the box. I don't see it in the pictures I've looked at. It's a soft rubber bluish piece that appears to be over the black nipples that everyone says to trim back. Also I've heard that the electrical connection is hard to remove. Thanks for any the help.
Side note: If I can get in and out from under that dash almost anyone should be able. Last week I had shoulder surgery and can't use my left side at all.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
and props to you for getting under there after shoulder surgery. I hope you took the seat out!! Rotator cuff?Anyway, it's been about a year since I did this, but there was not anything covering the rubber nipples, if memory is correct. Are you trying to remove the rubber nipples and replace it with a pre 96 controller that is plastic?
I fixed mine by just trimming the nipples back about 1/4 of an inch. The rubber is very flexible at the top, but stiffen up as you cut them back as the material thickens. The cause of your problem is that the nipples are collapsing. This cost $0 and fixed my old 96 LT4 and the previous owner of the one I have now did the same thing right before I purchased it (part of the deal). Both work like a champ after doing this.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
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From: Ocklawaha, FL
Yes, rotor cuff. First I pulled the cover under the dash. I didn't think I would get very far. I pulled the seat cushion out but left the track. In the pictures I've seen there is the nipples and their numbered. Are you saying that the colored vac. lines are connected directly to the nipples? Because I have a bluish piece of soft rubber in that spot with the vac lines connected to that. It looks OEM. Might be a modification. I've read a lot of threads and can't find any reference to it. Any tips on removing the electrical connection?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
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From: Ocklawaha, FL
Yes, rotor cuff. First I pulled the cover under the dash. I didn't think I would get very far. I pulled the seat cushion out but left the track. In the pictures I've seen there is the nipples and their numbered. Are you saying that the colored vac. lines are connected directly to the nipples? Because I have a bluish piece of soft rubber in that spot with the vac lines connected to that. It looks OEM. Might be a modification. I've read a lot of threads and can't find any reference to it. Any tips on removing the electrical connection?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
I believe what you're refering to is a pressed on fastener that is under the nut you removed. This holds the vacuum manifold to the controller and without removing this fastener you cannot remove the controller. I replaced this controller on a friend's '91 Vert a few months back and it's a real PITA. I'd say I was inverted under that dash for over 30 minutes working that fastener off with my fingers (I could not find any tool that could fit up in there).
Once I was done, we both agreed to not replace that $%ing fastener and just put the nut back on.
Once I was done, we both agreed to not replace that $%ing fastener and just put the nut back on.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
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From: Ocklawaha, FL
I believe what you're refering to is a pressed on fastener that is under the nut you removed. This holds the vacuum manifold to the controller and without removing this fastener you cannot remove the controller. I replaced this controller on a friend's '91 Vert a few months back and it's a real PITA. I'd say I was inverted under that dash for over 30 minutes working that fastener off with my fingers (I could not find any tool that could fit up in there).
Once I was done, we both agreed to not replace that $%ing fastener and just put the nut back on.
Once I was done, we both agreed to not replace that $%ing fastener and just put the nut back on.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
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From: Ocklawaha, FL
[QUOTE='H[]R^Cuda;1566468417']I would be interested in any info on this as well,my 96 auto climate system is doing the same thing no AC at the dash vents, anybody got pitures or a link to this job?[/QUO
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...=ac+controller
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...=ac+controller
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
I would be interested in any info on this as well,my 96 auto climate system is doing the same thing no AC at the dash vents, anybody got pitures or a link to this job?[/QUO
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...=ac+controller
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...=ac+controller
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
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From: Ocklawaha, FL
[QUOTE=jimg's'93;1566471072]The fastener is on the silver nut? Are the vac tubes connected directly to the numbered nipples?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
If memory serves me right, the connector with the tubes slides over the threaded post on to the nipples being shown in the pictures. Next was the nut, then the push-on fastener to keep the nut from working off.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
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From: Ocklawaha, FL
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Ocklawaha, FL
Thank you to jimg's'93 for the pm.
Thank you for the diagram. Now I know that the connector I've been having trouble with is the standard item. This is the first time I have seen a picture of it. Everywhere else, all you see is the programmer with the place that the connector goes empty. I know you said it took you about 30 minutes to remove. Any ideas that will help this one arm man (for the next few weeks) remove the push nut. If it's a push nut, I'd think I could just force it off?
Thank you for the diagram. Now I know that the connector I've been having trouble with is the standard item. This is the first time I have seen a picture of it. Everywhere else, all you see is the programmer with the place that the connector goes empty. I know you said it took you about 30 minutes to remove. Any ideas that will help this one arm man (for the next few weeks) remove the push nut. If it's a push nut, I'd think I could just force it off?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
It's been too long and I forgot many of the details, but the piece you are referring to is a bird dog to get apart. I tossed the old hardware and put a regular nut on it to retain a snug connection between the two pieces.
Could you take some pictures of of the details you are describing?
Could you take some pictures of of the details you are describing?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
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From: Ocklawaha, FL
Now all that stands between me having the AC programmer in my hands is this push-nut that looks like a washer. I've pried at it with a tiny screw driver, I've gotten a hold of it with needle nose plyers and still nothing.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Now that, I remember. I know this sounds bad, but I just gave the box a good tug and mine poped out. I would recommend to get a lock nut to replace that thing. You are getting very close!
I still cannot believe you are doing this after surgery!!
I still cannot believe you are doing this after surgery!!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
I talked again with the friend I helped on this and although I thought it was just 30 minutes, he says it was over an hour that I worked on getting that press-nut off. All I can say is to have patience. I found no tool (And I'm pretty good at 'wingin' it') that helped.
BTW...if it helps, I was only able to get one hand up there.
BTW...if it helps, I was only able to get one hand up there.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Ocklawaha, FL
I talked again with the friend I helped on this and although I thought it was just 30 minutes, he says it was over an hour that I worked on getting that press-nut off. All I can say is to have patience. I found no tool (And I'm pretty good at 'wingin' it') that helped.
BTW...if it helps, I was only able to get one hand up there.
BTW...if it helps, I was only able to get one hand up there.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,217
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
Hope you took the seat out !
I took out the entire driver seat, tracks and all. laid a blanket on the floor to even out the bumps a bit, and stuck my feet up in the rear window area. It was still mighty tight in there, but I finally got everything out & back in after repairing. Easy to see and fix the vacuum problems with the little vac relay box out of the car. The vents respond instantly now with the suction going to the doors now instead of bleeding off to nowhere.