Small question - AC enabling switch

[Skarpa]

I'm currently retrofitting an AC for my E30. I hit a small speedbump and was wondering if anyone here can help me. The AC compressor power-up current goes through the blower adjustment panel to make sure that system does not ice up when all the flaps are closed. There is a small connector for it at the back of the heater adjustment panel. (corner of a white circuit board about in the center of the photo):



The counterpart looks like this:


However, the connector doesn't sit tightly. It seems like there is a piece of plastic missing from around the circuit board corner. Does anyone have an idea if this part can be purchased anywhere? Or failing that, could someone provide me some photos of the part in case I need to whip up something suitable to replace it.

[vpilarrt]

If you can't find the part I would just drill a couple small holes in the "fins" above and below the conection point and run a ziptie across the connector to hold it on.

[jeffnhiscars]

or just jump the switch by stuffing a piece of metal between the tabs & taping it. As long as you know not to run your AC with all the vents closed, you will be fine. Its no different than not having a starter lock out on a 5spd. You turn the key with it in gear once, hit a pole then you never do it again.

[ForcedFirebird]

You turn the key with it in gear once, hit a pole then you never do it again.

Lol. I have never seen an e30 with a working starter disable in a 5 speed.

[Skarpa]

Thanks for replys. I think I'll go with the cable tie idea.

Lol. I have never seen an e30 with a working starter disable in a 5 speed.

Yeah but it's good to have a non-functional starter disable. If you blow your clutch and it won't release, the car is still driveable. Just start it with the first gear in (with no pole in front of car) and then use double clutching to shift.

[jeffnhiscars]

Lol. I have never seen an e30 with a working starter disable in a 5 speed.

When I did my 5 spd swap I jumped through all kinds of hoops trying to get it to work..til I was told the switch on the clutch pedal was the cruise cancel and that e30 5spds never had a starter disable.

I haven't hit a pole..yet :-)

[dnguyen1963]

When I did my 5 spd swap I jumped through all kinds of hoops trying to get it to work..til I was told the switch on the clutch pedal was the cruise cancel and that e30s never had a starter disable.

I haven't hit a pole..yet :-)

Tell me about it...I have always depressed the clutch whenever I start a manual car. It was a nasty surprise when the car started w/o pressing the clutch. Luckily, no damage occurred.

[Skarpa]

Allright, this is what I did:


Remove the circuit board from adjustment panel


The sides of the connector have broken off. Nothing prevents the connector from rotating or sliding sideways.


I cut pieces of 1,5 mm sheet styrene to keep the connector in correct position. Polystyrene is not the strongest plastic out there but I have it in several thicknesses and it's easy to work with. I drilled some holes in the parts to keep them in correct position during gluing.


Glue parts together. I put small lengths of steel wire in the holes during this stage to keep tha parts from sliding all over.


And end result. I sewed a continuous steel wire through all the holes. Now that the connector cannot rotate or slide it's sitting pretty tightly but I may still add a small cable tie to secure it.

[jeffnhiscars]

I like it..a lot of effort for a switch you can just bypass...but I like it