HVAC Conversion?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Springboro OH
HVAC Conversion?
I've searched the forum and haven't found any info on this. I have a 2000 coupe with manual HVAC controls and I would like to switch to the automatic dual zone setup. Has anyone tried to do this or heard of anyone trying to do this? I would appreciate any help pointing me in the right direction.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 807
Likes: 21
From: Los Altos CA
I don't think it is easy and it is not a good idea. The automatic setup doesn't work all that well - I need to fiddle with it a lot and it is not very reliable. Most people seem to have a problem with dim displays.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Originally Posted by white90conv
I don't think it is easy and it is not a good idea. The automatic setup doesn't work all that well - I need to fiddle with it a lot and it is not very reliable. Most people seem to have a problem with dim displays.
I second that.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Springboro OH
I appreciate both of your inputs, but I've got two problems with the current setup.
1) The center console looks exactly like my 98 Olds silhouette and I think it should look better than an 8-year-old minivan
2) My wife's internal thermometer is apparently set about 20 degrees lower than mine. A dual zone set up would save a lot of fighting over the climate controls. Weighing the relative costs of the problems, I'd rather have a dim display and a comfortable wife than no display and constant passenger-side HVAC hijacking.
I assume this will be a pain in the rear, but I really would like to know what specifically is involved before I make the decision. So I guess I'm really asking do you know someone who has tried this before. If not, I'll assume I have to start digging through shop manuals.
Thanks again for the warning, I probably won't go through with this, but working on the car is so much fun.
1) The center console looks exactly like my 98 Olds silhouette and I think it should look better than an 8-year-old minivan
2) My wife's internal thermometer is apparently set about 20 degrees lower than mine. A dual zone set up would save a lot of fighting over the climate controls. Weighing the relative costs of the problems, I'd rather have a dim display and a comfortable wife than no display and constant passenger-side HVAC hijacking.
I assume this will be a pain in the rear, but I really would like to know what specifically is involved before I make the decision. So I guess I'm really asking do you know someone who has tried this before. If not, I'll assume I have to start digging through shop manuals.
Thanks again for the warning, I probably won't go through with this, but working on the car is so much fun.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 15
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I'm with everyone else. While I haven't had any problems with my electronic climate control (the previous owner did though), it's really not the best setup. I find my Acura's climate control 1000 times more friendly to use.
Leave it manual.
Leave it manual.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Port Orange Florida
Cruise-In III Veteran
Don't do it. The auto HVAC is crap. I have a right side actuator that needs replacing at a cost of $188.00 plus 6 hours labor at $86.00 per hour. add in the tax and total it up. I now find out that this has been an ongoing problem for the C5 air conditioning. GM knew of the problem with the actuators (left & right) and are now on their third upgrade since 1997. You would think they would at least make it a little more affordable to repair the problems for their customers when they know it was a parts vender problem. I will get this repaired as soon as I can find a dealer with a Corvette mechanic that knows what He is doing and does not screw everything else up while fixing this problem. The dealer in Daytona had a good mechanic but He is no longer there and I do not think the guy they have now is any good. By the time he repaired a stuck window it cost me $1,386.00 plus another $200.00 to get my CD changer fixed because I think He shorted something out and a lot of my electrical things had to be reset.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Aguila AZ
If you are determined to make this conversion you will need the complete A/C underdash unit including the vacuum lines and controls. You will also need to replace the under dash wiring harness including the cross brace and the head unit. Make sure the underdash harness is of the same year, transmission and body style (and if equipped with tele wheel) as your car.
Plan to totally disassemble your entire dash. Everything must come out. You will also need to remove the intake manifold and PCV/AIR lines to access A/C, heater lines and bolts behind the engine. I would not do it and I'm a C5 rebuilder.
My wife has the same problem as yours. My solution is to set up the A/C to make her happy and then I close the vents in my direction (and I have dual zone A/C). The comments above about the problematic dual zone are all true. Avoid it and stick with your manual system and trade in the minivan. Short of getting a new wife, It would be easier...
Shirl Dickey
SDRE
Plan to totally disassemble your entire dash. Everything must come out. You will also need to remove the intake manifold and PCV/AIR lines to access A/C, heater lines and bolts behind the engine. I would not do it and I'm a C5 rebuilder.
My wife has the same problem as yours. My solution is to set up the A/C to make her happy and then I close the vents in my direction (and I have dual zone A/C). The comments above about the problematic dual zone are all true. Avoid it and stick with your manual system and trade in the minivan. Short of getting a new wife, It would be easier...
Shirl Dickey
SDRE
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Springboro OH
Thanks MrEracer. Alot.
That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for. The type of disassembly you described is enough to discourage me from doing this. I was thinking the worst would have to be getting a new wiring harness and maybe a temperature sensor or two.
Thanks everyone else too for giving me the low down on the problems with the dual zone HVAC. They will all come in very useful if I ever decide to sell the car.
That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for. The type of disassembly you described is enough to discourage me from doing this. I was thinking the worst would have to be getting a new wiring harness and maybe a temperature sensor or two.
Thanks everyone else too for giving me the low down on the problems with the dual zone HVAC. They will all come in very useful if I ever decide to sell the car.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette CA
You might try your search using something other than the term "HVAC". I always thought that stood for High Voltage Air Conditioning" or "High Volume Air Conditioning"?? . . . Like they use in buildings. I could be wrong??? But you might try using "A/C" or just plain "air conditioning", if you haven't already tried that.
Just my $.02 worth! . . . Okay! . . . Maybe it's only worth $.01!
Just my $.02 worth! . . . Okay! . . . Maybe it's only worth $.01!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Springboro OH
Thanks for the advice. I tried searching AC, A/C, dual zone, air conditioning and a couple of others before I got to HVAC.
By the way, I always thought HVAC stood for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
By the way, I always thought HVAC stood for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by JeffC005
Thanks for the advice. I tried searching AC, A/C, dual zone, air conditioning and a couple of others before I got to HVAC.
By the way, I always thought HVAC stood for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
By the way, I always thought HVAC stood for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
That's the only thing I've ever heard HVAC stand for, too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I love the dual zone HVAC!
I just set it to the temp that I want the inside of the car to be, and it automatically keeps it there!
I've never had a problem with it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by RPOZ4Z
I love the dual zone HVAC!
I just set it to the temp that I want the inside of the car to be, and it automatically keeps it there!
I've never had a problem with it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,435
Likes: 365
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Originally Posted by RPOZ4Z
I love the dual zone HVAC!
I just set it to the temp that I want the inside of the car to be, and it automatically keeps it there!
I've never had a problem with it.
I just set it to the temp that I want the inside of the car to be, and it automatically keeps it there!
I've never had a problem with it.
Tom
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette CA
Originally Posted by EHS
I agree, and H-V-A-C stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, whether in a car, or a building.
. . . And ya' mean I don't get FRENCH benefits???
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
St. Jude Donor '05
I have the Auto/Dual Zone AC and have had no problems with it. Although the "dual zone" is kinda of a misnomer in that the passenger can tweak their Air output +/- 5* from what you have... and trust me, that isn't enough to satisfy an easily cilled signficant other or daughter. 