Gen 5 auto climate control REVISITED - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

amphipri0n · 01-25-2004, 05:40 AM

So, as I was installing a new car stereo (in a gen5 SE)-- I took out the climate control panel, and there were two wire harnesses attached, however there was another smaller harness that wasn't attached to the cc panel as there was no place for it to go in the back of the panel.

It made me start wondering if this extra harness was for the automatic cc panel version (temperature info?) and if all it takes to convert it from manual to automatic is simple panel replacement, then plug and play... This seems likely to me since the "manual" controls are actually electronic as well and would be a more efficient factory design if only the panel needed to be different.

Can anyone offer any advice or info on whether or not this is the case? It would be great to see a pic of the back of an automatic climate control panel for reference.

In the meantime, I'll probably scouring the web for auto climate control panel prices

Thanks

BigE · 01-25-2004, 12:23 PM

I don't have the technical info, but based on what the brochure says about the climate control on the LE and SE, they are electronically controlled and it also leads me to believe that automatic climate control can be put in an LE or SE by swapping the control panels. However, the face plate of the automatic climate control would be wood, which would require some painting to match the silver on the SE. I like real wood trim, but not plastic wood like Acura's, etc.

A side note, what bugs me is Toyota didn't put lighted vanity mirrors on the SE (I told my gf to use the maplight), when on an LX Accord you get them like the EX sibling. IMO, if the XLE had the 3MZ I would've picked it over the SE.

amphipri0n · 01-25-2004, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigE
I don't have the technical info, but based on what the brochure says about the climate control on the LE and SE, they are electronically controlled and it also leads me to believe that automatic climate control can be put in an LE or SE by swapping the control panels. However, the face plate of the automatic climate control would be wood, which would require some painting to match the silver on the SE. I like real wood trim, but not plastic wood like Acura's, etc.

A side note, what bugs me is Toyota didn't put lighted vanity mirrors on the SE (I told my gf to use the maplight), when on an LX Accord you get them like the EX sibling. IMO, if the XLE had the 3MZ I would've picked it over the SE.

I agree about the illuminated vanity mirrors... I've been looking around for a replacement for that as well.

Canoe2 · 01-25-2004, 02:49 PM

I think little more complicated than just pluggin control panel.
The ECM has to be programed for Auto Climate Control. For example, for heating the ECM has to wait coolant temp reach to operating temp before blowing the fan. Also, I wonder the temperature sensor had been installed for manual control ? What I heard, you have to replace servo motor as well.

BenG · 01-25-2004, 03:42 PM

My two cents: Why would you want to change to automatic climate control? My mom's Gen5 Camry has it and I hate having to repeatedly tap the temp. button to make the temp go up and down, and with the automatic controls, it always sets itself to full blast even when the coolant temp isn't high enough to blow heat through the vents yet.

In my opinion, buttons for HVAC suck. The classic three dial set up is the best and you can customize it any way you want. It's way faster when you want to adjust the heat or fan settings up and down and you don't have to look at the display panel to see what your settings are.

kgasso · 01-25-2004, 04:48 PM

I'm going to agree. I _hate_ automatic climate control. I've always liked the dial for temp control...

However, I didn't notice a second harness back there (I have my HVAC control unit out right now to attempt a lighting color change). Could be because it's buried by my alarm brain as well as about 8 pairs of RCA's though.

Canoe2 · 01-25-2004, 08:23 PM

Here are the differences of two controls:
Auto climate control: set it and forget about it
Manual control: Have to play around temperature dial to maintain constant temperature. The inside temperature would flucturate that depends on car speed, wind speed, outside temperature.

jjthenovice · 01-26-2004, 06:12 PM

Just swapping the manual controls for the automatic ones is not enough. If you look on the drivers side where the dash meets the windshield, you should see to circular plugs. In there place goes a temperature sensor. The other one is for an auto on auto off headlight sensor (which is not available on US models).

infantsam · 01-26-2004, 08:49 PM

what he said....

And auto climate does work - I was a hater until I got it. (in a nice way)

BigE · 01-27-2004, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jjthenovice
The other one is for an auto on auto off headlight sensor (which is not available on US models).

Auto on/off headlights are available only on XLE models for the US (I think most other automakers with DRL have auto on/off), above the lowbeam position they have the Auto mode. The XLE stalk is: off, parking, low beam, and auto (like newer Lexus models). For LE and SE it's: DRL off, DRL, parking, and low beam.

infantsam · 01-27-2004, 02:23 PM

does that mean the DRL's on the SE are always on with headlights - and thus I am the 'loser in the rearview' now.
Don't like that - DRL's are for pretentious BMW punks

amphipri0n · 01-27-2004, 02:25 PM

DRLs turn off once low beams are running

infantsam · 01-27-2004, 02:27 PM

my buddy was in front of me on the way home from the dealer - he said both were on - which I confirmed
Must be a switch or something somewhere - probably should try the owners manual before i get the punked

BigE · 01-27-2004, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by infantsam
does that mean the DRL's on the SE are always on with headlights - and thus I am the 'loser in the rearview' now.
Don't like that - DRL's are for pretentious BMW punks

I can address the SE's DRL, but not completely sure about the XLE's because they have the auto on/off. You can turn off the DRL completely. I'm not sure about the '02 Camry's without the auto on/off (LE and SE) as to whether they have the DRL off position on the stalk. My friend's '03 V6 LE has the DRL off position as well. The print for DRL off is very small. You have four positions on the stalk (from the top to bottom: Lowbeam, Parking light, DRL, and DRL off), the very last one it's the DRL off on the bottom. However, the rib on the top of the stalk when the headlight/parking light switch is in DRL and the fog light switch is in the off position does not line up when you are in DRL off position. I can get a picture of stalk later.

The DRL are the highbeam operating at half power, they turn off when the lowbeams are on. But sometimes the reflection of the lowbeam will cast light over into the highbeam reflectors and appear that the DRL are on. The DRL will stay on when the parking lights are on. The only way all four lights will be on is when the highbeams are turned on as well.

Quote:

Originally posted by amphipri0n
DRLs turn off once low beams are running

That's how it is on mine. I'm not sure about Canadian models, as DRL are manadatory there as well.

jjthenovice · 01-27-2004, 04:25 PM

I have a 03 XLE. Beginning in 02, Toyota included the option to turn off the DRLs. In doing this they discontiuned on the US models the auto-on feature for the headlignts. To turn on your headlights (not DLRs) you must do it yourself. They will however turn off automatically when you remove the key from the ignition and exit the vehicle. I thought this a bit odd as I had an 01 LE and it turn the headlights automatically but I could not turn off the DLRs. I questioned Toyota about this and they said that the twilight sensor (auto-on / auto-off for headlamps) was not available for the US Camry models. Go figure?! I had to get used to turning on my headlamps at night all over again.....