Auto temp and general a/c controls...info please

[cantflip]

It not much of a secret I have been looking for a 1974-75 Imperial or 1976-78 New Yorker. I feel competent and equipped to deal with whatever happens after that... which means I'm gonna get screwed good by Murphy. Because I do not yet possess a FSM or vehicle to reference, I have several A/C questions. I know a lot of information has floated around here, lets just say I'm lazy and trying to get as much into one thread as I can. So far, all I have found on the net is rudimentary wire schematics and the factory tester. What interests me more is more detailed wiring, test values or charts for the thermistors and anything else that I could put a logical diagnostic path together from. I have worked on the Mercedes Benz variations of this system and will dig around to see if I have anything meaningful there.

While Chrysler states the differences are in the controls, I noticed some comments along the lines of replacing the evaporator/heater case and doors, etc. If anyone would care to share with me anything they know about conversions, diagnostics of auto temp systems or detailed wiring I would be appreciative. I don't know what I will get into, but past experience proves it will be neck deep before I'm satisfied.

Thanks
Jeff

 

[1978 NYB]

Both of my 1978 Formal's are manual A/C. Relatively easy to diagnose and repair. I won't buy a formal with ATC II.

The easiest way to gain the knowledge you are looking for is a small investment in a set of FSM's. This set is $8.35.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SET-OF-TWO-...896387?hash=item1c4b72c283:g:ftgAAOSwwTlUmCxd

 

[1978 NYB]

CD version is $26.95....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Chrysl...ash=item20c93c3890:g:TMIAAOSwT6pVuiYq&vxp=mtr

 

[1978 NYB]

Here's a few pictures of my dash torn apart....

First time was pretty intense. Easy as pie after that. Just labor intensive.

 

[1978 NYB]

The manual heater A/C box looks like this (picture of A/C box courtesy of Stan) and is on the right side of the 2nd picture. So the conversion is quite a job. Not to mention you'll also have to change all of the wiring and controls also. To me ....a conversion is way more work than I'm willing to deal with. Easier to find a nice manual A/C car to begin with...

View attachment 64888

 

[commando1]

#1 PROBLEM WITH ATC II ON FORMALS:
The dashboard. If anything goes, you cant get to it.
I have an ultra rare test box where you plug into a connector at the front of the heater box. You cant even get to that one connector without having to disassemble the dash.
I call working under the dash of a Formal The Bowels of Hell.

Wait till you try to replace the brake light switch!!!!!

I work on the 67 Newport and it is a walk in the park.

Yet, I still think a Formal is the ultimate C-body. If something happened to my NYB, I would have to replace it immediately! with a low optioned Sedan equipped with manual a.c. this time around. And I would be willing to pay insane top dollar for a perfect one right up front. Much cheaper.

 

[commando1]

One last thought. Once you take apart a Formal dash, it will never go back to being the way it should. I have no clue how the assembly line workers could stand it.

 

[1978 NYB]

I had a couple extra screws when I was done.....and lost the trip odometer twisty thing.

 

[commando1]

Is that all? lol.
You did well...

 

[cantflip]

Both of my 1978 Formal's are manual A/C. Relatively easy to diagnose and repair. I won't buy a formal with ATC II.

The easiest way to gain the knowledge you are looking for is a small investment in a set of FSM's. This set is $8.35.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SET-OF-TWO-...896387?hash=item1c4b72c283:g:ftgAAOSwwTlUmCxd

Thank you... books ordered...couldn't pass that price even if I buy and earlier set for some reason. The pics were great too... don't you hate when you can see it, touch it, smell it, taste it but the MotherF#$%^er just wont come out.

One last thought. Once you take apart a Formal dash, it will never go back to being the way it should. I have no clue how the assembly line workers could stand it.

A large part of my career was driveablity and electronic work, I am a dumbass because I would have made more if I stuck to just that, but I liked to touch the whole car... I was the diesel guy when he took off and the front end guy when he was out. I do know how age makes those parts never want to quite line up again. I am sure I'm sticking my foot in my mouth when I tell you I am confident I can do this... Please remember this remark so you can feed it back to me later... I deserve that.

I thank you gentlemen and still encourage any other information... if nothing else it will help me evaluate the cars I look at.

 

[1978 NYB]

That FSM is pretty much the same for 76-78 except for a few changes to the 78's.

You'll want to buy a parts book after you buy your Formal. Pretty cheap on EBay and the CD is available too at Bishko.

 

[cantflip]

That FSM is pretty much the same for 76-78 except for a few changes to the 78's.

You'll want to buy a parts book after you buy your Formal. Pretty cheap on EBay and the CD is available too at Bishko.

Thanks, I was already thinking about that... gosh its easier when somebody else has sourced everything. Now if I could just find someone to inspect the car and bring it to my driveway....

 

[commando1]

Now if I could just find someone to inspect the car and bring it to my driveway....

I can do that and have it in your driveway by the end of today but you cant afford it. lol

 

[cantflip]

I can do that and have it in your driveway by the end of today but you cant afford it. lol

And there lies the problem... some of us just weren't made for concierge service.

 

[Mr C]

Another great article on Autotemp II where the author even made a complete bench model from parts from other cars. Sadly the links to the pics of the components don't work anymore.

http://www.newyorkeronline.org/m-r/HVAC/AutoTemp/index.htm

 

[cantflip]

Another great article on Autotemp II where the author even made a complete bench model from parts from other cars. Sadly the links to the pics of the components don't work anymore.

http://www.newyorkeronline.org/m-r/HVAC/AutoTemp/index.htm

That is exactly what I was hoping for... while its not test specs... it at least gives me a starting point. Shame the pics are gone, but still good info. Despite all the best intentions of everyone... I am being so picky about what I will pay and will accept, I feel I have to wiggle a little somewhere... and broken A/c is a major negotiation area. Being able to spot trouble before I buy...especially in winter months will be huge.

 

[commando1]

[video]https://youtu.be/WMyRxaijtUw[/video]

 

[cantflip]

Gee I bet its a LOT more fun working on that dash/IP standing with no windshield or steering wheel... thanks, I saved the link to favorites just in case I want one of their videos down the road... couldn't hurt.

 

[cantflip]

I had a couple extra screws when I was done.....and lost the trip odometer twisty thing.

I've seen so called professionals miss half the screws... you did just fine in my eyes... first dash you take apart is always intimidating... and always gets a little better with practice. Stan's reference to never going back together quite the same... can't tell you how many times it took 3x's as long to try to get an old dash back together after everything has shrunk a little. and no plastics age well. I can't tell you how much this has helped me adjust my perspective... thank you. I'm still prone to buying atc system...but it greatly changes what I know going into the transaction.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

So is the servo mentioned in the article, the same as the one that is being repoped in aluminium or what?