Turn useless Fader into usable Centre Vent Switch

[jedwards1123]

Hi all,

Like many of you, I had a completely useless Fader sitting between the A/C controls and a Centre dash vent that only worked when the A/C was on.

So, I ditched the Fader (which has not been connected to anything for years) and installed a simple toggle switch instead that switched the compressor’s electric clutch in or out of circuit.

With the Switch OFF, I now have 3 speed air through the Vent for those times when I only want a bit of air movement. With the Switch ON, the A/C runs perfectly normally.

This is pretty fool proof as well because it is not possible to activate the A/C clutch without the A/C fan running, so there is no chance of damaging anything.

On my car, the electric Clutch activation wire is connected to terminal 6 on the Fan control switch. That is lower right when viewed from the back of the Fan control switch , or lower left when looking at it from straight on. Yours might be different, so best to double check it first. With the ignition ON (motor off) , turn the Fan Controller ON. The Fan will start and you should hear the electric clutch cut in with a CLUNK. Turn the Switch off and you will hear it clunk off. Now gently pull off the wire from terminal 6 (lower left) and try it again. If you have chosen the correct the wire, the fan will come on as before but the Clutch will not.

To make this a permanent option, simply connect the Clutch activation wire to one side of a switch of your choice and make a new short lead from the switch back to terminal 6. I used a switch with the LED so I could tell at a glance if the A/C was ON or OFF. That requires an extra Ground wire if you fancy a similar setup.

I hope this is useful for some folks.

[UrQuattro]

What IS that fader switch originally for? Was it a stereo thing?

A PO turned the switch in my car in to an on-off switch for the radio antenna. That way I can listen to CDs and non-radio music without having the aerial up. Kinda cool.

Unless that's what its supposed to do.

Michael

[nineball]

yep. faded from front to rear.

[tcar]

So with the A/C off, it recirculates inside air, correct?

I don't think you can push outside air through the center vent if you have factory A/C, correct?

[jedwards1123]

That's right Tcar. This method only circulates inside air, but as mine is a Cab, it's no problem.
Jeff