While I know much of the car electronics go into the Audio/Video/Security area, there are neat mods , repairs and info that ought to have a place. For instance, I've just discouvered how to defeat the automatic A/C with the defroster that was built into the '02 cars. And there are things like modifying the lights (interior and exterior), or the switches, airbags, and so forth that really don't fit any of the current forums.

So, what do you think? Or where should this kind of stuff be placed??

It seems like most electrical stuff goes into the technical or dress up forum already. Not a bad Idea though.

Yeah, there's a need there that isn't being filled. I was getting really frustrated a few months back when I was posting questions needing wiring help for driving lights and the moderators kept moving the threads from general to dressup. :rolleyes: This happened at least three times, and pretty much killed the threads as not many wiring savvy people hang out in dressup. :D

I guess the easiest thing to do would be expand the audio/security forum...

Paul

2nd (third?) the idea of expanding the audio/security forum. Audio questions often end up involving wiring stuff, too.

couldt agree with you guys more :D

Derek

These types of mods don't really fit anywhere else perfectly. Maybe we do need another forum. Lots to fill this category with, that's for sure.

care to share how you can defeat the A/C when having the defog on??? I hate having the car do this for me and prefer to have the A/C off except when absolutely needed. Thanks...

I agree, call it "Lighting and Electrical" or something like that.

Originally posted by edcoak2001
care to share how you can defeat the A/C when having the defog on??? I hate having the car do this for me and prefer to have the A/C off except when absolutely needed. Thanks...

I was thinking of this too since my last car was fully manual and did not operate the compressor in any mode unless the AC button was in. It should just be a matter of locating the wires on the HVAC mode switch that go to the AC compressor and disconnecting them while leaving the AC switch alone. Need to check the wiring diagrams to be sure this would work but I don't see why not.

On the new 02 Impreza, the switch that turns on the A/C when the knob is rotated to defrost, is a microswitch on the bottom of the heating control unit.

The easy part is to cut either wire going to the switch (they are purple) or to remove the switch, and reinstall it 90 degrees rotated so the lever arm that contacts the cam is in a position where it never is activated.

The HARD part is getting the heater control box out - or at least loose. You need to remove the glove box and lower driver panel, and the metal reinforcement under the steering wheel. Then remove the 3 control wires that move the vents.

Then remove the radio/heater bezel, and remove the 4 screws that hold in the heater control box. You do NOT have to remove the wiring, but it's easier if you can manage it. Look at the bottom of the control unit, and you'll see the little microwitch. And from there on it's pretty obvious what to do! I found that the switch can be unscrewed, turned so the lever is off to one side, and then the screw is put in, with a plastic washer, to hold the switch in the new position. Cutting either wire is much easier..

And this info does NOT belong in this "general" forum!!

I just did the AC switch mod today. I rotated the microswitch as Alan suggests rather than remove it or cut wires.
This is easier to do if the radio is removed, in fact if all you want to do is cut the wires removing the radio will provide sufficient access without any further disassembly. There are two purple wires that run from the mode switch to the wiring connector, just cut one or both.
Also if you do decide to pull the control unit out and remove or rotate the switch, it's not absolutely essential to remove the glovebox and driver's side panel to get to the control cables, with a little contortion you can get under there and pop them off and back on with everything in place.
Mods, please move this to someplace more appropriate if you deem fit, wherever that may be.

I still say we need a DIY mod forum...

no disrespect, but what i the point of this mod?

There's several reasons to disconnect the A/C system from the defroster. The main one for me is to be able to run the defroster at maximum heat - right now even if the engine is cool, the A/C will be on and the window will not clear quickly when the car is cold.

Another reason is that if you use the A/C and defrost, the coil is very wet, so when you turn off the car, it fogs up a lot when you let it sit, and you have a worse situation.

Also the A/C takes power and worsens gas mileage, which is especially bad as you warm up the car.

And there's no loss of functionality - if you WANT the A/C to run, just push the button. Basically this puts YOU in charge, instead of a default mode that is not defeatable.

Originally posted by Alan
And there's no loss of functionality - if you WANT the A/C to run, just push the button. Basically this puts YOU in charge, instead of a default mode that is not defeatable. Exactly. Very cool mod.

Now make a forum for it! ;)

Paul

which of the purple wires do you cut? I cant seem to find this lever with the switch...I just spent like 10 minutes looking and didnt see anything and all I got was some cut up fingers and a broken cliip. :mad:

help please

Did you pull the HVAC control assembly out all the way? Look toward the rear, on the right side where the mode control dial is. You should see a little switch that is activated by a tab or cam on the part that rotates. If you listen carefully as you turn the dial to defrost you can probably hear it click.

how do i get the whole assembly out? It wont seem to come out because of the 2 cables on the left and right side.

A DIY mod would be nice to fit this in, headlight mods, intake, etc.

To get the module out you have to disconnect the control cables, and the electrical connectors IIRC. Once they're off you will be able to pull it out far enough to access the switch.

Good idea. I wish there was a "general" technical forum also. Sometimes I don;t knowwhere to post vague technical questions. :)

Eric

I agree there should be a "Wiring and Electronics' forum for all the questions that get asked that don't really fall under
Dress Up, Car Audio or whatever. Considering the number of people trying to do electrical-related stuff on their cars, and seriously needing help in doing so, a new forum would be appropriate. I'd even be willing to help moderate it :)
But for now, just post questions in the existing forum you feel is closest to being correct and if need be a mod will move it someplace else.

i ended up just pulling off that metal thing that pushes in the button.

hey guys there is a WAY WAY easier way to do this

open hood
find A/C Clutch harenss on top of A/C compressor
unplug
plug back in for next summer ...

nice mod, will try it tonight

still no electronics forum?!

Originally posted by Rally1
still no electronics forum?! Nope, and we still need one!

Originally posted by Jaxx
hey guys there is a WAY WAY easier way to do this

open hood
find A/C Clutch harenss on top of A/C compressor
unplug
plug back in for next summer ...

wow, I never would have found this thread had it not been cross-referenced in FFI!

excuse the dumbness on my part, but what exactly does pulling the a/c clutch harness do?

and what does the a/c compressor look like?

- C

I have brought your request to the powers that be ;)

Jay

Originally posted by Alan
While I know much of the car electronics go into the Audio/Video/Security area, there are neat mods , repairs and info that ought to have a place. For instance, I've just discouvered how to defeat the automatic A/C with the defroster that was built into the '02 cars. And there are things like modifying the lights (interior and exterior), or the switches, airbags, and so forth that really don't fit any of the current forums.

So, what do you think? Or where should this kind of stuff be placed??

I agree!! NEW FORUM!

Originally posted by McDade
I have brought your request to the powers that be ;)

Jay

Hear Hear :)

Thanks McMod.

An "Electrical and HVAC" forum maybe?

Take a look at the other subaru sites, this has been addressed elsewhere.

This has been asked for around here for a long time, but we still don't have a forum yet.:(

NOTE this thread alone was started back in Feb 2002.

NOTE this thread alone was started back in Feb 2002.

Two more weeks-
"Happy Birthday Dear Thread" :lol:

And on it's birthday - or there abouts it got it's wish!!

Thats becaus I get things done! :D :p ;)

and we dont need this puppy anymore :)

Jay