June 14, 200520 yr 94 Legacy: I would like to have my AC work on "bi level" or any other position I choose. My HVAC control panel has a button blank (looks like one anyhow) that now has a "Legacy" blank in it. Maybe some models had an AC button there like most other manuf. do. Does anyone know of a way to wire a switch to control the on/off function of the AC? I can and do this easily on all my L series Subes. I know it should run in the defrost position but I would like to cool my piggies. Thanks for any help - hot foot
June 14, 200520 yr I don't think there's an easy way to do what you want. There were no models that had a separate AC button like the newer models.
June 14, 200520 yr Just curious, but what turns on the A/C? It seems to me it could easily be bypassed, but I have no diagram. A switch in parallel with whatever turns it on now should work.
June 14, 200520 yr Author Josh, and TC thanks for the replies. I looked into my 1990 FSM and it appears if we take the Brown with White wire in location #6 of the J18 connector at the control unit to ground, the system will get the proper signal to activate. This wire controls the AC relay which in turn tells the ECU to activate the correct circuits. Now to find connector J18. Josh you know behind the dash in these better than any one. Can we reach this multiwire connector from maybe the radio opening? (after removing the radio)
June 17, 200520 yr Skip, I've been out of town the latter part of the week for work, and haven't had a chance to look at things. Can you shoot me a PM or email, that way I have a reminder. I'll try to get to it this weekend after I get back in town.
June 26, 200520 yr Author As Josh states this is not a simple job. I thought removing the radio would allow access to the wire I needed -- NOT The plug was out of reach so I removed the screws for the top of the panel cover / gauge cluster tilted it away from the dash and found the proper connector. It runs into the control panel from the rear, the brown with white wire was obvious. I stripped a small section and soldered a wire to it. Note: if this wire is cut and disconnected from the panel the AC can then be controlled only via the switch (i.e. not in the AC, AC MAX, defrost position) AC MAX will still function as the recycle position though. I wired a toggle switch from this wire to a ground point. The switch is mounted in the blank to the right of the st. column. I also wired a small indicator light connected to the compressor clutch. This allows me to monitor the cycling and act an indicator that the switch is in the AC ON position. It's nice having AC in the foot wells. BiLevel is best. If anyone else is interested in this mod. I can provide pictures via email. Thanks again for all the replies.
June 30, 200520 yr Author After several 80+ days of doing my 100 mile commute I want to report IT's neet having kewl feet
July 1, 200520 yr here's skip's write-up http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/techinfo/ac_control_wiring.doc
July 1, 200520 yr Author Thanks Josh, my sever is having problems with yours at this time. I do appreciated your help (as always) and willingness to host the article. I hope we can help people wanting to do this modification.
July 2, 200520 yr Does it work now? If you're still having issues, try this https://www.mail.experiencetherave.com/subaru/techinfo/ac_control_wiring.doc
July 5, 200520 yr Author Thanks Josh, that link works fine opened it with MS Word 2000 is quite the dowload, I must learn to compress these BTW but first link stil a no go
July 5, 200520 yr Your ISP probably blocks port 8080, that or you're using a proxy server on that port.
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