Technical Changing from Manual AC to Climate Control

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Technical Changing from Manual AC to Climate Control

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Jan 7, 2012
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Birmingham
Right, now I know that this topic has been discussed, but I can't actually find definite information of what needs to be changed. As far as I could see from ePER is that I need a different heater box, but it's the same piping/air compressor.

Is that right? If so, a complete swap of the AC panel and the heater box (including all the wiring looms), a proxy alignment and should be done, right?

Now before people will say it's not worth it, or you need parts, well I got a second stilo which I bought for parts and has a fully working climate control on it, therefore I got heater box, wiring looms, etc etc etc. And also I got all the time needed for the job.

How hard is it to take out the heater box? anybody knows? I do know that I have to take the dash out, and I guess I am ready for it
slayer.gif


Thanks everyone!

Andy
 
Doors off so you can take out the bolts for the dash, seats out for better access and then the dash out...from what I know..check the eLearn in the download section.

Cheers,
Dan
 
Doors off so you can take out the bolts for the dash, seats out for better access and then the dash out...from what I know..check the eLearn in the download section.

Cheers,
Dan

Hmm, it seems weird that one would have to take the doors off in order to take the bolts out for the dash. Volxstu didn't say anything about doors off when I've asked him how he took his dash off.

I also checked eLearn, quite a bit to be fair, but I am still confused about the heater box.

Andy
 
are there not loads of actuators in the dash to allow the air to flow seperatly per side, also at different temps??

if so you will need the entire dash with loom to control it, also im sure the climate control has its own ecu that needs to be added aswell
 
are there not loads of actuators in the dash to allow the air to flow seperatly per side, also at different temps??

if so you will need the entire dash with loom to control it, also im sure the climate control has its own ecu that needs to be added aswell

From what I understood, the actuators are actually in the big heater box behind the climate control. The heater box is split into 2 sides, basically two air conditioners put into one heater box, that is what ePER and eLearn show. Not sure about the ecu but if it is one, then I have it (y) As I said above, I got a whole another stilo that I can get parts off from.

A
 
in which case i cant see why it wouldnt work. but there is defo another ecu as there is a seperate NODE in the can line for it. so make sure to get that.... if it works you will have to put a guide up...
 
in which case i cant see why it wouldnt work. but there is defo another ecu as there is a seperate NODE in the can line for it. so make sure to get that.... if it works you will have to put a guide up...

Obviously I will do a guide. I will probably be the first nutter to actually embark on a job like this for a stilo haha :p

At the moment I am still doing research, but after the 10th of the month I shall start taking the other one apart. I am currently packing and moving houses so all the work will continue after that... just a few more days and the toolbox is out :slayer:

Andy
 
depending on what needs taking out ill do this myself as my local scrappy got one in and its CHEAPPPP to do. i imagine a ball ache to swap though
 
On the panda you need to take off the doors to get at the bolts for the dash cage, when you open your cars door, you will most likely see some big, zinc plated bolt heads and washers. All car manufacturers reuse as much as they can, and I really don't see an easier way to connect the dash cage to the car body.

All the controls and actuators you need for it to work live in and around the heater box so you don't need to change the dash.

It's a big job..but if you have the time..why not? Just put in place some system to organize all the bolts and nuts you'll be taking off, so you know where they go when it's time to fit it all back.

Edit: Might not be a bad idea to have a good look at the heater matrix and AC matrix to judge there condition, since if you need to replace one it's the same amount of work.
 
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depending on what needs taking out ill do this myself as my local scrappy got one in and its CHEAPPPP to do. i imagine a ball ache to swap though

It will be a right pain, but I guess it's worth it. The race is on then clock34, who retrofits one first :p

@dandt87
Already looked at the Climate Control, looks in all working condition, so it's all green lights. Just need time now, I will have it off work this month quite a bit as I am currently working as a researcher and teaching assistant in my university.
 
you will win as its not top of my list :p..


i also need to look at eper ect to check what i do and dont need to swap.

we sure the new/other matrix will just bolt and plug straight in.
 
just gotta ask. will the wires for it be there/ are they the same OR will we need to strip the loom and add them in. orrr is it all can bus.
 
just gotta ask. will the wires for it be there/ are they the same OR will we need to strip the loom and add them in. orrr is it all can bus.

You do need to strip the wiring loom as well. The Climate Control has 3 connectors as seen in eLearn while the manual AC has only one connector.

I do not know exactly what loom and where it goes and so on, but as soon as I found out, I will post in here (y)

Andy
 
wouldnt bother, sounds like a great plan, but it will only break, i say this as the system on my bravo is the same as the stilo....only its harder to reach the broken bits...i have two failed actuators on my passenger side, one for the windscreen vent, and the other for temperature....seems quite a few guys both in the stilo section and with the new bravo have the same fault with either the windscreen flap or the temperature
 
wouldnt bother, sounds like a great plan, but it will only break, i say this as the system on my bravo is the same as the stilo....only its harder to reach the broken bits...i have two failed actuators on my passenger side, one for the windscreen vent, and the other for temperature....seems quite a few guys both in the stilo section and with the new bravo have the same fault with either the windscreen flap or the temperature

Well to be fair... my current AC (manual) ain't working, and I don't care too much about the ac (just for demist and stuff). I basically want to change it so it will look better :D

But nothing will put me off now, I am quite hard headed, and when something gets on my mind, I get it done. So hopefully mine won't have problems. When you say harder to reach, how hard do you mean? I mean I will have to take the whole dash out on both of the cars anyway, it can't get harder than that I guess


Andy
 
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no offence here (and your probably right)

BUT

if i listened to everyone who said "dont get it it will break" id also never have got fiats, and i love them so im going to go ahead and give it a crack also... end of the day, anything can break.... its what its like when it works that matters lol
 
no offence here (and your probably right)

BUT

if i listened to everyone who said "dont get it it will break" id also never have got fiats, and i love them so im going to go ahead and give it a crack also... end of the day, anything can break.... its what its like when it works that matters lol


:yeahthat: Well said clock34! I think it will be worth it though

Andy
 
If you have Fiat ECU Scan, the software will tell you if there are any faults with the climate control, which servo/actuator is malfunctioning, as there is a dedicated aircon ECU - as mentioned.

There are 5 servos on the climate control unit. One on the right side, for temperature control of the right zone. Three servos on the left side, one for temp. control (lower one) of left zone, one for directional distribution (middle one) and one for front window defrosting (upper one). All these four servos are identical. The fifth one is for closing/opening for fresh/cabin air. This one is in front of the whole unit.

All servos/actuators will most likely die (it's just a matter of time). I have changed two, and also changed the plastic axle between the other two and the flaps. So basically I have had all 4 main servos off - without removing the dash. (y) You will find pictures of them at the forum, me and our greek member had a thread a while ago about fixing this.

I believe they started building the Stilo like this: "Let's find a little chair, put a heater matrix/climate control unit on it, and build a car around." So you might have to start with removing the wheels to get where you want. :D
 
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know where your coming from yes anything can break, but i would have expected them to hold out longer than four years, Morty, i have gotta say your guide has helped quite a bit as the systems are identical in the bravo, however getting to them in the bravo is a tad tricky due to some well placed metal plates in the passenger footwell....one of which has the actuator tucked nicely behind it, cant event see the fixing screws, i can just about reach the wiring for it, not sure how to get around that one.

It would be great if you could get it working Andy, must apologise for my defeatist rant, I had spent 4hrs upside down in the footwell swearing at the thing trying to remove the window defrost actuator and the passenger temp actuator and all I managed to do was get it blowing cold rather than baking hot, and always point to the windscreen.....more swearing to commence at the weekend i think :D
 
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