1996 A/C Programmer
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
1996 A/C Programmer
Does anybody repair or rebuilds the AC programmer. 1996 is a one year only and they have a high failure rate. What happens is the air will only blow out the defroster and the floor. It will not blow out the center vents.
GM wants $1,000.00 list price and $750.00 dealer for this part. This part is a cheap plastic box that the vacuum hoses plug into and opens all of the duct doors. It is located above the gas pedal and is used with the electronic air conditioning.
I have replaced 6 of these in the last couple of years on different 1996 Corvettes. 1995 and older use a different one and it doesn't break.
When you buy this part new from GM they want a core back so somebody must be rebuilding them.
GM wants $1,000.00 list price and $750.00 dealer for this part. This part is a cheap plastic box that the vacuum hoses plug into and opens all of the duct doors. It is located above the gas pedal and is used with the electronic air conditioning.
I have replaced 6 of these in the last couple of years on different 1996 Corvettes. 1995 and older use a different one and it doesn't break.
When you buy this part new from GM they want a core back so somebody must be rebuilding them.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I guess I should be glad I don't have the electronic a/c. Mine's the manual kind. There's got to be a source tho, as you're asking. It's just a case of finding it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
If I remember this right, they're all Remans and the A/C Delco site is a bit confusing in that it looks as if they've got the Manual confused with Electronic. I think their number is 15-72209 and it's exclusive to the '96 Corvette, so unlike the other Years, you can't get it at NAPA or find it at Pontiac or Buick and possibly avoid the Corvette tax. It's about $650 at the Last Detail. The dealer I deal with usually warrants anything for a Year - though there might be an exception for electrical. Given you're failure rate, why not take A/C Delco to Small Claims Court - allege fraud - breach of warranty and anything else you might think of. I kinda wonder if they'd even send a rep, but if you can document the failure rate, I'd think you'd have a shot at recovering the cost of the part.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 667
Likes: 1
From: Centennial Colorado
Your programmer is a AC Delco 15-72209 goto http://www.acdelco.com/parts/air-con...ac_catalog.htm
A quick check for the part number on the forum I found this... It may help you...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1350472
Google the part number I see them for $550.
A quick check for the part number on the forum I found this... It may help you...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1350472
Google the part number I see them for $550.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
You might also consider writing someone like Vette Magazine and asking them to a Tech article on converting it to the earlier system. If the part is unique to the '96 Vette, it isn't going to be out there forever. I'd imagine that the hangup may be in how it communicates with the PCM/CCM.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I have replaced mine once already, but now the replacement is bad. I pulled this one apart trying to find any clues to the malfunction, but came up empty. I seem to remember I could hear the solenoids clicking when I changed modes, so I even tried blowing out the vacuum path and switches inside the programmer with brake cleaner.
Lucky me, I live in AZ. All I ever use is AC, so I just connected vacuum to the lines necessary for dash vents and recirc. Permanent AC. Would definitely like a prettier, yet cost effective solution.
Lucky me, I live in AZ. All I ever use is AC, so I just connected vacuum to the lines necessary for dash vents and recirc. Permanent AC. Would definitely like a prettier, yet cost effective solution.
