C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Need advice on a/c progammer

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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 03:26 PM
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Default Need advice on a/c progammer

Just a question on 89 coupe i only have heat coming out thru the floor vent and bought a used one thru this forum, while i was waiting for it i have done some checking and asked several mechanics how hard it was and was told it is an easy swap but and a big but it has to be reprogammed. First is this true, and second can it be done at home or does it have to be done by a garage?


Thanks for any insight

ROD
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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 04:19 PM
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bought a used WHAT?

programmer for electronic a/c?

Noooooooooooo...thats NOT an easy swap...neither fun nor easy. You only need one wrench but finding a dwarf thats ASE certified is harder than it sounds.

No, it does NOT have to be programmed. Its not a "programable" part..thats just a name describing what it does...
it takes electrical signals and turns them into vac to the various vent pots. Its just a handful of little solenoids connected to a circuit board and a small multiple vac manifold for a plug to fit into.
I seriously doubt that your a/c programmer is faulty. Its more than likely the actuator from the way you describe the problem.
If by chance you are referring to the blend door actuator, that is easier to swap but its not a program part either..it finds its travel as the elec a/c control head cycles it thru a diagnostic/run cycle.
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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 04:58 PM
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the programer is exactly as he described. it is not a computer. I can pull mine on my 96 in a few mins. its really not that bad.

search for AC Programer... you will find that the little rubber nipples collapse or that the vacuum check valve fails. I have replaced both of these, but I still have an issue.
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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 07:43 PM
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I've never been able to "fit" up there to get to that thing...or the brake booster thru shaft....
Last time I took the seat out so I could lay down..upside down backwards and assure my chiropractor of another few appts....

get the dwarf and make him do it.
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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 11:29 PM
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Someone I work with and myself both have 89 coupes. The programmer went out on both. My friends just blew out hot air and mine blew out cold air. He added a bypass valve so the engine coolant would not go thru the heater core. Then he eventually pulled the programmer and repaired a couple of solder connections. It worked after putting it back into the car. Mine had the same issue and also the mechanic who worked on the car before I bought it never reconnected the vacuum source. When the programmer was repaired and I connected the vacuum line, it has been working fine.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 11:27 PM
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Default A/c progammer

As i am totally lost when it comes to electornics is there a wayn to check the progammer to make sure it is working when it is out of the car? if so how. I have cold air but it comes out on the floor vents and it does switch to heat when you turn the temp gauge up. Does not come out dash vents.

Last edited by BOTY79; Jul 3, 2012 at 11:30 PM. Reason: adding info
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 02:37 AM
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The system defaults to heat mode (actually a federal law). I'd guess your vacuum is not getting into the cockpit. Check your vacuum check valve (next to the distributor). It also is used by the cruise control. Does that work?

It would be difficult to check outside the car, as the A/C control head, programmer and blend door motor all talk to each other.

I wrote an article on the HVAC programmer. Lots of really geeky info and pictures here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...schematic.html
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 12:10 PM
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All good info (though if there's no vacuum for anything all you get is Defrost because HVAC sucks the Defrost door closed until it's commanded - that's not a Fed Reg but a system design to use the vacuum supply at all times) - but you need to verify that the plastic clip connecting the motor to temp door linkage hasn't snapped. That's on the heater box which is on the passenger side. You remove the hush panel to access. I'd remove the hush panel and then disconnect and reconnect the battery. Turn the key to run and the Programmer, by default, should run the motor which is going to cycle the door from fully open to fully close. If you can hear the motor running, it's a busted clip and the Programmer is fine.
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Old Jul 5, 2012 | 12:02 AM
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Thanks Cliff and to all, Cruise does work if that helps.
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