AC switch questions

[daeron]

My AC selector switch has been ferschnicket since I got the car. When I investigated the situation a few years ago, I discovered that both the little ears for the mounting screws on the vacuum switch body were broken off. I have just lived with it. I DID get the parts I should need from a junkyard car at one point, and have them still.

 

Recently, the switch has simply been failing to turn the system on occassionally. I just started delivering pizzas, so the car is on again off again, as is the SC, ALOT. I use the AC maybe 1/3 runs... Anyhow, sometimes if I cut the AC or defrost (whatever) off, it will not turn back on again until the car has either been driven for a bit (sometimes it just comes on) and sometimes it wont work again until I park it and sit the car for a moment. Its a minor annoyance at this point, but I am likely going to pull the dash apart and replace the switch, and all the broken buttons.

 

While I am at it, I am very seriously wondering if I could find a way to engineer in an "AC" switch.. I have seen some models that have a separate switch, next to the fan control that is the overriding control on the AC compressor. I would LOVE to be able to turn the AC ON for bi level or foot use, and I would also love to be able to turn the compressor OFF for defroster and heater use. I realize that these are two different issues in this conversion, but I am pretty clueless as to whether or not I can even hack into this and make it work, using nothing but parts from a standard type system, and a separate lighted switch and maybe a relay? would I need a relay, or would I be switching a relay signal?

 

I hope the idea of the mod I am talking about is coming across clearly. I can dig out the spare vacuum switch that I have and take a picture or two of it. Chances are I am going to be wanting to dig into my dash and replace this soon anyhow; the malfunctioning buttons are FAR past "Getting on my nerves."

[cd45]

I put a switch in line with a fuse. It has worked perfectly for over a year. I ran it to the fuse box, and a ground. It is one of the best things I have ever done to my wagon.