1996 Climate Control
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1996 Climate Control
Hey Everyone,
I have a 1996 CE. I recently got the AC recharged and the air is very cold. I have noticed however, that when I select Auto or Recirc it blows only out of the defrost vents and foot wheels. It did this before, but only for a few seconds. If I chose bi-level it works fine. If I choose just the upper setting it blows out the upper vents, but shuts off the compressor so only warm air blows out. If I go back to Auto or Recirc it goes back to blowing out cold air from the defrost and foot wheel vents. I have read through a lot of the other forums and I will check the vacuums lines, but the fact that the air flow is changing in the different modes, makes me think the flow is working, but maybe its something wrong with the panel itself. Any thoughts on this? I just wanted to check my logic on this before I bought a new panel. Thanks in advance for all your help!
I have a 1996 CE. I recently got the AC recharged and the air is very cold. I have noticed however, that when I select Auto or Recirc it blows only out of the defrost vents and foot wheels. It did this before, but only for a few seconds. If I chose bi-level it works fine. If I choose just the upper setting it blows out the upper vents, but shuts off the compressor so only warm air blows out. If I go back to Auto or Recirc it goes back to blowing out cold air from the defrost and foot wheel vents. I have read through a lot of the other forums and I will check the vacuums lines, but the fact that the air flow is changing in the different modes, makes me think the flow is working, but maybe its something wrong with the panel itself. Any thoughts on this? I just wanted to check my logic on this before I bought a new panel. Thanks in advance for all your help!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 276
Likes: 69
From: Florida
This is a common problem as you will find out. Get ready to do some work on your back with your head up under the dash with the driver's seat removed. Once you replace the vacuum lines and get it all back together it should work just like it is suppose to. I did it on my '96 and I hope I never have to do it again.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 276
Likes: 69
From: Florida
The controller is mounted to the firewall fairly low above the pedals. I have no idea if doing it from the top would be easier. I would think there would be much more in the way to get to it from above. Give it a try and let us know how it goes.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 275
Likes: 121
From: shirley ny
My '96 with manual heat/ ac controls has the same lazy control changing. After reading all the posts on this issue....I will live with it! My back and chunky 60 year old body are afraid to take this on. Now, if I had to be under the dash for other things, I might attempt while I was in the neighborhood. For now, it's not that bad-
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
This is a common problem as you will find out. Get ready to do some work on your back with your head up under the dash with the driver's seat removed. Once you replace the vacuum lines and get it all back together it should work just like it is suppose to. I did it on my '96 and I hope I never have to do it again.
Last edited by Desertflyer200; Jul 23, 2020 at 08:41 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 276
Likes: 69
From: Florida
I have the automatic control on my '96, so that is what I repaired by replacing the vacuum lines under the dash. The problem lies with the interface from the control lines running to the controller and the lines inside the box. The nipples where the lines connect shrink under vacuum and the proper lines don't get selected by the control box. When this happens the default position is the air comes out the defrost vents. Sometimes after a few minutes, it will switch to the correct position as requested by the dash head unit. If the LED lights light up on the head unit according to the buttons you select, but the air still comes out the defrost vents, then likely the problem is with the vacuum connection to the control box under the dash. Do a search and you will find very detailed explanations how to fix the problem. That is what I followed to fix mine and it works perfectly now.
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