The E30 heater control (part 64111385972 ) is responsible for both vent selection as well as for enabling the AC to function. If the slider mechanism is not working right (electrically), the AC system will not engage, regardless of the switch position.
"On 1987 and earlier cars with air conditioning (A/C) , the lever that regulates air flow for the instrument-panel vents also electrically controls the A/C compressor. To prevent condenser freeze-up and A?C system damage, the compressor is switched off if the lever is set below a certain point."
My car is an early '87. My repair shop (which I am considering ditching for awful customer service, although they do decent repair work) is telling me that my heater control sliders are going bad / shorting / whatever.
The part is discontinued and not available new. I could buy a recycled/salvaged one, but there's not a guarantee that it wouldn't either already have the problem or succumb to the problem.
I see a few of options here, although one of them I haven't been able to find information on:
1) rebuild/repair/remanufacture the sliders to fix the electrical issue
I've searched around for info on "e30 heater control repair" and whatnot, but did not find a lot of info. I'm sure there are some experts around who might know something. I could buy a used/recycled unit and sit it on the bench and play with it / disassemble it / clean it / etc. But without good info, there's no guarantee.
2) permanently enable the air conditioning such that it will come on regardless of the slider position
I am totally fine with this option, and comfortable with electronics. If someone could tell me what to short/jumper/wire/whatever, I think I can be OK with making sure the levers are not closed when trying to run the AC.
3) Forego air conditioning
Not an option, really.
4) Something else
Is there another option that I don't know about? From 09/87 apparently they used a different heater control: 64111385970
Is that part interchangeable? If not, is there a lot of work (other parts) required to update an early '87 to late '87 HVAC controls?
"On 1987 and earlier cars with air conditioning (A/C) , the lever that regulates air flow for the instrument-panel vents also electrically controls the A/C compressor. To prevent condenser freeze-up and A?C system damage, the compressor is switched off if the lever is set below a certain point."
My car is an early '87. My repair shop (which I am considering ditching for awful customer service, although they do decent repair work) is telling me that my heater control sliders are going bad / shorting / whatever.
The part is discontinued and not available new. I could buy a recycled/salvaged one, but there's not a guarantee that it wouldn't either already have the problem or succumb to the problem.
I see a few of options here, although one of them I haven't been able to find information on:
1) rebuild/repair/remanufacture the sliders to fix the electrical issue
I've searched around for info on "e30 heater control repair" and whatnot, but did not find a lot of info. I'm sure there are some experts around who might know something. I could buy a used/recycled unit and sit it on the bench and play with it / disassemble it / clean it / etc. But without good info, there's no guarantee.
2) permanently enable the air conditioning such that it will come on regardless of the slider position
I am totally fine with this option, and comfortable with electronics. If someone could tell me what to short/jumper/wire/whatever, I think I can be OK with making sure the levers are not closed when trying to run the AC.
3) Forego air conditioning
Not an option, really.
4) Something else
Is there another option that I don't know about? From 09/87 apparently they used a different heater control: 64111385970
Is that part interchangeable? If not, is there a lot of work (other parts) required to update an early '87 to late '87 HVAC controls?
Comment