New Metra kit - now mixed temps thru vents.
 

I had a new Metra dash kit and HU installed yesterday and now the weirdest thing is happening. I am aware of the knob issues already so don't flame me for that before reading.... but with the knob turned to cold and AC on I get cold air in all of the vents except the center two which will only blow hot air no matter what.

Is it possible that when the shitty shop that installed my new gear could have caused something to be blocked back behind the HU disabling the hot air to stop and let the cold air through? I'm not too sure how back behind the stereo and vents are lined up or if it's even connected but I do know it's cramped back there and I did look through the glove box and it doesn't appear anything is pinched.

I called Metra to see if it's possible that it could be an electronic error but they only sent me info about the heat/cold knob needing to be resoldered. :wallbash:

Could picking up a new HVAC controls solve this?

When I have some time to pull everything out myself and reassemble it I will report back. But I wanted to check and see if anyone else has experienced this first before doing it.

I don't have any direct experience other than that everyone I have known that has had a Metra kit in an RX-8 has had issues.

Really blows that's our only option :(

So, I have an '04 RX8 where the climate control didn't work already (stuck on hot). Got a remanufactured unit (also resoldered the old unit). Installed Metra radio kit and new climate control. Metra kit appears to work - there is power to the upper display, the stereo, and the AC compressor works. However, I'm now stuck on cold, and turning the knob doesn't change the temp in the upper display. With *either* of the climate control units, both of which should be good.

Trying to guess what to swap out; probably going to replace the Metra kit. Don't have the factory radio anymore, so can't test that way. Per the mechanic, there's 4 items in the loop: climate control head (presumed good), metra kit (tests good per Metra), AC amplifier/computer (the AC compressor comes on and I get cold air, so it's good, right?), and the blend-door motor (mechanic says he's never seen a blend door motor fail, and he's an RX8 specialist).

Anyone got any better suggestions than wasting money on a new Metra kit, or ebaying a stock radio (that's what I'm going to do if the new Metra kit doesn't fix the problem).

Thanks,

Cam

OP, yes a new/rebuilt climate control will likely solve your problems. Found mine on eBay for about $109, rebuilt. Or, you can do the resolder suggested by Metra.

My case is somewhat more complicated. New Metra kit arrived tonight; will have stereo guy try to install on Monday.

I realize that the temp showing in the upper display is marked "amb" for ambient; I have nothing displayed for interior. Does it normally show an interior temp?