What Year Air Con/Vent Panel

[Grego 92]

What year does this type of panel come from? The one that controls the air vents, heat, air condition, etc.... I really like this style and finally found one in really good condition so I swapped out my dull looking black one. I forgot to see what year camry I got it out of and I like to keep notes like that for this car. I know it's from an earlier year than the 90' Camry.

I don't know why they didn't keep that look instead of changing to the black ones, I really like this style, breaks up the plastic and gives it a more modern tech look. Flash makes it kind of hard to see because they metallic coated plastic.

[auto_robotics]

That's interesting! Does everything work properly when it's installed on your car?

The parts and years are (w/ AC):
55900-32120 (1986.08 - 1988.08) 'old' metal buttons
55900-32070 (1988.07 - 1991.09) 'new'

I ask because the buttons look a little different, right? The old style has both AC and 'ECON' modes. The new style has separate buttons for recirculate and outside air, while the old style just has the recirculate button. The old style also looks like it has an 'AUTO' button for the vent select. How does that work?? I.e. what does it base the selection off of?

Also -- what is that 'vent' on the bottom right? Is that thing actually controlling for air temperature?

I have a DX, but I'm slowly converting things to LE ... this is on the list.

- Craig

[TurboATM]

i dont see anything

[Grego 92]

Yeah, everything works fine....ac and heat and different modes, I was playing around with it today. Yeah, that econ button is new but when I hit it with the ac on it just blows more air out.... All I know is that it works fine. I don't know what that little vent does, it's on the original one also.

[Alltracdust]

I have this exact set up (oem) on my 88 alltrac. I have had my issues with it but its ok now. I have taken it all apart & have a video on youtube regarding my issues with heat. http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_u...?v=9gDcQ87OIBk That little vent on the bottom right actually does nothing...at all really. Maybe for looks or to fill a void. Also there is a vid of me driving in the snow with my alltrac..yip

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by auto_robotics

That's interesting! Does everything work properly when it's installed on your car?

The parts and years are (w/ AC):
55900-32120 (1986.08 - 1988.08) 'old' metal buttons
55900-32070 (1988.07 - 1991.09) 'new'

I ask because the buttons look a little different, right? The old style has both AC and 'ECON' modes. The new style has separate buttons for recirculate and outside air, while the old style just has the recirculate button. The old style also looks like it has an 'AUTO' button for the vent select. How does that work?? I.e. what does it base the selection off of?

Also -- what is that 'vent' on the bottom right? Is that thing actually controlling for air temperature?

I have a DX, but I'm slowly converting things to LE ... this is on the list.

- Craig

I'm curious myself if everything works like it should stock too... but I don't plan on changing it out. I like the subtle black look. Based on the part numbers, it looks like '87-'88 model years got the metal-look buttons and '89-'91 got the black plastic.

The small opening on the panel would be used for auto temp control if it was on the unit (I bet some Japanese versions of the Camry had it...).

As for converting from lever to push-switch controls - good luck... It will require a TON of parts.

-Charlie

[auto_robotics]

Originally Posted by white90dx

As for converting from lever to push-switch controls - good luck... It will require a TON of parts.

Haha, yeah, I'm not sure I'll get to it honestly. My interest in switching over is that it'd give me electronic control of the system, so I could do things like add a temperature set-point or a remote start / cabin heat/cool feature.

The most daunting thing is that the "cowl" wiring harness that connects a lot of the stuff behind the dash appears to be different for the LE model. I believe I'd need to do a full tear down of the dash to get to it, or possibly do my own wiring.

The conversion looks like it'd require:
* the control unit
* air mix (heat / vent) servo
* vent select servo
* recirc / fresh servo
* system amplifier (a motor power driver I'm guessing)
* blower control relay
* different blower resistor
* wiring

- Craig

[Grego 92]

Ok, so here's my old with new....or is it old with older?

Every button seems to work, even the "Auto" that my old one didn't have, so that's a bonus to fill a vacant space up!

It seems the "Econ" button and button that shows air coming from the outside are in the same location and have the same function because from my understanding that's what econ does....so it's just a change from an abbreviation to a symbol.

The major difference is that "AC" button and the "recirculating air" button are swapped on the face but it doesn't change the function of what the button does for either of them, so everything works the way it should.

['88 All-Trac]

Mine is a DLX... And I have both the Econ button and a slider to select recirculate or fresh air. I think the Econ function was supposed to operate the A/C at half capacity or some such to be more efficient. It's in my owner's manual somewhere.

[Grego 92]

that would be great if you can look it up...then i can really see if everything works the way its suppose to.

I don't remember having my AC button on at the same time I hit that button so I just noticed cool outside air was coming in....maybe if I hit both then I'll have a mixture of AC and outside?

Heck I dunno! I use the AC when it's really hot, roll down the window when I just want fresh air, and use heat when it's cold! As long as those work I'm happy

['88 All-Trac]

Let me go find my booklet and I'll let you know!

Edit: I can't find my inside booklet to save my life. I'll try to dig my in-car booklet out of my car and find the relevant info for ya!

Edit 2: I found the booklet. I'll post the info tomorrow (later today) at a more reasonable hour when my eyeballs are working properly.