HVAC Control Facelift

[brkosk]

Has anyone with manual climate control tried to update to the 2001-2002 style with 3 knobs?

My 99 SR5 has 2 knobs and 2 levers.

The 2001-2002 style has 3 knobs.

It doesn't look like the connectors are the same. However, the old style lever unit doesn't appear to have any mechanical connection (as far as I can tell from pictures).

 

[I'mStock]

Sub'd.

I dream of an '02 electronic HVAC setup in my '98 but I know It'll never happen.

 

[shootmymime]

yeah my 00 limited has electronic hvac systems.

 

[brkosk]

Sub'd.

I dream of an '02 electronic HVAC setup in my '98 but I know It'll never happen.

Me too. I've been spoiled by auto climate controls in my last few cars. I know the auto conversion would be too expensive so I'm not even going to bother.

I think updating to the 3 knob setup would modernize the interior a little bit.

If I could find a proper wiring diagram for the 1999 model it would be worth looking at to see if any of the wires match up. The only FSM I can find covers all model years for the 3rd gen which displays the 3 knob control only...

 

[jgue467]

Me too. I've been spoiled by auto climate controls in my last few cars. I know the auto conversion would be too expensive so I'm not even going to bother.

I think updating to the 3 knob setup would modernize the interior a little bit.

If I could find a proper wiring diagram for the 1999 model it would be worth looking at to see if any of the wires match up. The only FSM I can find covers all model years for the 3rd gen which displays the 3 knob control only...

If I had the unit you have, I'd stick with it. Here is why. Your's allows a range of venting in/out with the slide lever, the newer unit does it, it only allows totally in or totally out air, I find a mix is often better. My all electronic unit on my limited doesn't do that!! So you're to me is actually better!!! Luck! :banana:

 

[tyr0981]

Also the electronic controls are pre-setup in there movements, to open the heat / A/C ducts so much with a turn, it's VERY difficult to adjust there pre-calibration. They'll also move as time wear's on, and will be outside of fine-tuned movements.

mine are still manual for good reason

:yawn:

 

[Troybylt]

Personally I have always preferred the throw lever design. I feel like I have more control as others have stated and it's easier to tell where it's at by feel, just like my manual transmission. I guess I'm just old fashioned, like the manual stuff better.

 

[I'mStock]

Me too. I've been spoiled by auto climate controls in my last few cars. I know the auto conversion would be too expensive so I'm not even going to bother.

I think updating to the 3 knob setup would modernize the interior a little bit.

If I could find a proper wiring diagram for the 1999 model it would be worth looking at to see if any of the wires match up. The only FSM I can find covers all model years for the 3rd gen which displays the 3 knob control only...

What exactly are you looking for?

 

[TheDurk]

Personally I have always preferred the throw lever design. I feel like I have more control as others have stated and it's easier to tell where it's at by feel, just like my manual transmission. I guess I'm just old fashioned, like the manual stuff better.

When the dealer told me I could not have the Digital A/C or the cladding in the 5-speed (5-speed was 'must have') SR5 edition of the 4Runner, I said: "You made my day, I don't want either one. The cladding is ugly and the digital control is less reliable." The only thing I liked in the Limited were the painted bumpers instead of chrome.

This thread is confusing the OP's question with the difference between the Automatic and Manual HVAC systems. The pictured control is the '01-'02 version of the MANUAL HVAC control, wire diagram attached.

This '01-'02 "manual" system is far more automated than the '99 MANUAL HVAC and includes THREE servo motors for Air mix, Air Inlet, and Air mode control. All three of these systems are completely mechanical on the '99 Manual system which has ZERO servo motors in the system. Thus, besides having to add the three servos, the A/C amplifier is wildly different and would have to be changed. I have the '99 EWD in paper so I am confident in what I am saying. The A12 plug on the A/C amplifier in '01-'02 "manual" system has 25 wires on it. The same A12 A/C amplifier plug in 1999 has only ten wires, mainly due to those missing servos.

In my opinion, that upgrade would be a massive and expensive ($5000+) undertaking to do from new parts. Even with a full donor truck, however, I doubt it could be done, requiring three servos, head control, A/C amplifier, and the HVAC wiring harness at a minimum. In addition, looking at the parts lists, EVERYTHING changes as of July 2000 when the '01 model came in. Cooler unit assembly, heater box, blower unit, basically EVERYTHING inside the firewall. So non-starter in my book. There may even be sheet metal changes to accommodate the changed components--no way to tell.

 

[theriddler]

When the dealer told me I could not have the Digital A/C or the cladding in the 5-speed (5-speed was 'must have') SR5 edition of the 4Runner, I said: "You made my day, I don't want either one. The cladding is ugly and the digital control is less reliable." The only thing I liked in the Limited were the painted bumpers instead of chrome.

This thread is confusing the OP's question with the difference between the Automatic and Manual HVAC systems. The pictured control is the '01-'02 version of the MANUAL HVAC control, wire diagram attached.

This '01-'02 "manual" system is far more automated than the '99 MANUAL HVAC and includes THREE servo motors for Air mix, Air Inlet, and Air mode control. All three of these systems are completely mechanical on the '99 Manual system which has ZERO servo motors in the system. Thus, besides having to add the three servos, the A/C amplifier is wildly different and would have to be changed. I have the '99 EWD in paper so I am confident in what I am saying. The A12 plug on the A/C amplifier in '01-'02 "manual" system has 25 wires on it. The same A12 A/C amplifier plug in 1999 has only ten wires, mainly due to those missing servos.

In my opinion, that upgrade would be a massive and expensive ($5000+) undertaking to do from new parts. Even with a full donor truck, however, I doubt it could be done, requiring three servos, head control, A/C amplifier, and the HVAC wiring harness at a minimum. In addition, looking at the parts lists, EVERYTHING changes as of July 2000 when the '01 model came in. Cooler unit assembly, heater box, blower unit, basically EVERYTHING inside the firewall. So non-starter in my book. There may even be sheet metal changes to accommodate the changed components--no way to tell.

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but what about swapping from the automatic climate control in a 2002 Limited to a manual type control with the 3 knobs like the 2002 SR5's have? I would really like to have the 3 knob design over the automatic controls but I'm not sure how intense that would be. This is the one thing that frustrates me about this vehicle, think I'll go for an SR5 next time just for this reason. I just find it to be a pain and hard to see, especially since a light burnt. I haven't gotten around to buying the electrical schematics manual yet to check for differences but I do think the plug is different on the back. Thanks!

 

[TheDurk]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but what about swapping from the automatic climate control in a 2002 Limited to a manual type control with the 3 knobs like the 2002 SR5's have? I would really like to have the 3 knob design over the automatic controls but I'm not sure how intense that would be. This is the one thing that frustrates me about this vehicle, think I'll go for an SR5 next time just for this reason. I just find it to be a pain and hard to see, especially since a light burnt. I haven't gotten around to buying the electrical schematics manual yet to check for differences but I do think the plug is different on the back. Thanks!

I took a quick look at the parts lists and wiring diagrams for both flavors of 2002. Aside from the controls/amplifiers, all the major sub-assemblies, heater, cooler, blower, are different p/n's and would probably have to be swapped. The servo motors are all different p/n's. This would still be a massive undertaking. The only good news is the interface with the truck is relatively straight forward if you had a donor truck and swapped the whole system to the rear of the firewall.

I installed a factory A/C in a Hyundai Accent for my son and it was a major PIA. I had to take it down to the firewall inside and rebuild. This would be worse. You could not pay me to attempt it.

Perhaps in theory you could jury-rig the manual control & amplifier to run the auto system, but I don't think the information is available that you would need. It sure as h**l ain't plug'n'play. The auto system has TWO plugs to interface with the rest of the system and the manual has only one. I could match up a bunch of wires, but there is no way to say if it would work.

 

[theriddler]

I took a quick look at the parts lists and wiring diagrams for both flavors of 2002. Aside from the controls/amplifiers, all the major sub-assemblies, heater, cooler, blower, are different p/n's and would probably have to be swapped. The servo motors are all different p/n's. This would still be a massive undertaking. The only good news is the interface with the truck is relatively straight forward if you had a donor truck and swapped the whole system to the rear of the firewall.

I installed a factory A/C in a Hyundai Accent for my son and it was a major PIA. I had to take it down to the firewall inside and rebuild. This would be worse. You could not pay me to attempt it.

Perhaps in theory you could jury-rig the manual control & amplifier to run the auto system, but I don't think the information is available that you would need. It sure as h**l ain't plug'n'play. The auto system has TWO plugs to interface with the rest of the system and the manual has only one. I could match up a bunch of wires, but there is no way to say if it would work.

Thanks for the info, unfortunately for me that's about what I was expecting to hear. I love our 2002 4Runner but the only thing on it I would change if I could is the heater/AC controls and I can't. Oh well, think I'll keep my eye out for an SR5 next time for myself and let the wife keep this one. Thanks man!