I presume I have a unique setup in my car, but that if someone can answer my questions it may be beneficial to others, so I'll try to be as clear as I can. I've installed a carputer in my glovebox with the touchscreen in place of the radio head-unit. I've relocated the head-unit to the pass-through so that my AC controls and display work properly. I, of course, wanted to have the AC controls up front with me and not in the trunk, so they are located below the touchscreen, where the cigarette lighter and ashtray used to be. I now have a few problems:

1. My AC/Heater control unit is having the infamous erratic hold/cold behavior. It stays warm only if I hold in place or I am lucky enough for it to like me long enough to reach my destination.

2. The AC/heater problem existed before I did all of my carputer work, so it is not the cause.

3. My car has of 60k miles, so the dealer may not want to cover this under the warranty. Also, my carputer work won't help with the warranty either, I basically extended the wires so that the control unit sits in the dash, but reaches the head-unit in the trunk.

4. Even if I get a new AC control unit under warranty or by purchasing it myself, it does not fit well where the ashtray used to be. I just have it sitting there until I fabricate a faceplate to hold it.

So my main question is what would I have to do to replace either the control unit itself or the controls of the control unit with switches or *****? I am ok with having full hot, full cold, and neutral switch for the temp control and just replacing the fan **** with a store bought **** and the other buttons with store bought buttons.

Hopefully, that gives a good idea of what I'm asking for. Thanks in advance.

 

you need to get ahold of a new controller.. for your setup and if price is no option - I would suggest getting the corksport kit, that way you wouldn't have to keep any part of the old HU or run wires anywhere.. it would be right there and you may be able to mod the facekit so you don't have to change too much.. you know?

 

Thank you for the response WikkedOne. I'd rather avoid the Corksport kit; I think it's great but I've already done so much of the work myself (fabricating the faceplate and running the wires), and I don't really want to spend more money thanI have to. Also, I like having the display fully functional and having the HU available to me when my carputer is down for whatever reason.

I guess what I want to know is how (if possible) I can use the circuit board for the control unit and attach my own switches or, better yet, if I can bypass the controller altogether by connecting the wires going to and coming from the headunit in some manner. I really want to make my own piece to house the AC controls and maybe even a pocket for my wallet or phone, but I'll keep the control unit if absolutely necessary. Hopefully someone with the shop manual and more know-how than I can help me out. Again, thanks for everyone's help.

 

I had the same problem. the three soldered connections on the heat control are cracked. its really easy to fix. the directions are in this thread https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...60#post2675860

 

I had the same problem in my 04 8 and yesterday I took it apart and did the 3 solder points and it works great now. Most likely that is all you will need to do.

 

I'm having the same problems with my heater as well. where would i be able to get a control unit like the one your talking about?

 

Look at this post

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-no-heat-repair-heater-control-158200/