Mysterious climate controls....

[motogman]

I am trying unravel the mysteries of the climate controls on my 81 SC now that the weather is changing and heat and defrost are needed.

There are three sliders on the dash panel and two levers between the seats.

I think the levers between the seats control the boxes back by the exhaust system and either open or close the devices to let cool air in (when they are down) or close them so only heated air flows forward when they are up??? How am I doing so far?

The three levels on the dash... the top one seems to run the fan - more is to the right (weak as it is...).

As for the lower two sliders it is a bit unclear to me what device they connect to and supposedly control and how that is going to get my windshield or feet warm. One lower one has a red knob, the middle one is black. Supposedly the lower one controls hot air and the middle one regular air.

So for the middle and lower sliders... does to the right direct air to the windshield (defrost) and to the left direct it to the floor? Is the middle position off or half and half? What device to these two control and how does it work?

I suspect that perhaps the lower one meant to control warm air is not functioning correctly - maybe a broken or disconnected cable.

What sage advice can be provided to guide me in pursuing this further this weekend?

[Hugh R]

On an 84, top is fresh air fan 1, 2 3 speeds,

Middle directs air either up to dash/defrosters or down below the dash to the footwells, or 1/2 and 1/2

Bottom is for defrost. To the right is full defrost.

I have the autoheat rotary dial between the seats, not the levers so your mileage may vary.

[nh911]

Just be glad you don't have the automatic climate control thing between the two seats. All it does is make noise and confuse me and with that comes two more nobs under the dash. You don't need heat the cold air will keep you alert.

To answer your question the two between the seats control the heater boxes which are located just in front of the motor and the ones on the dash can turn on fans and open and close valves located in the mess of plastic tubing under the dash that tubing just directs the air. just have someone move the levers and see what moves once you have determined that all the levers work properly make sure the blowers work and then trial and error is the best way to figure out which lever does what.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by nh911

Just be glad you don't have the automatic climate control thing between the two seats. All it does is make noise and confuse me and with that comes two more nobs under the dash. You don't need heat the cold air will keep you alert..

My very first foray into PP was on the Autoheat. I bought the car without knowing about PP. The autoheat didn't work, I was looking at the schematic wiring diagram going "holy schit" I'll never figure this out. I did a search and the first thing that popped up was that a ball and socket on the servo between the seats was made of plastic and it tended to pop off. I thought "no effing way" I pulled the cover and sure enough that was what it was. I've been a fan ever since.

[HarryD]

This thread can be of help: Is there a fan to increase the amount of warm air?

Thanks to RWebb, we do have the factory explaination as well :

It goes like this:

"There have been several questions about this recently, so I thought I would post the Official Factory Explanation:

Subject: RE: Heat Control FAQ for Pooschey


Q: I just bought a Pooschey 911 and can't figure out how to make the heater work -- or the fresh air either. Can you help me?

A: Sure, I can help you. The ventilation system requires that you operate 4 levers to make it work. 3 of the levers are on the dash, and the other is between the seats on newer Pooscheys there are 2 levers between the seats).

The top lever on the dash actually does several different things (remember, it is a fiendish German device, just like the rest of the car). Pushing it to the middle opens the dust ports leading to the windshield (see below for operation of fogging machine and oil mist spray device). Pushing it to the right past the middle also activates the rattling noise-maker device. There are three loudness levels to choose from. Pushing the lever all the way to the left is used to jam the cable so unauthorized personnel cannot operate any of the devices above. The lever also enables the automatic heat exchanger signalling device -- when opening it spews rust particles on the windshield, you should replace the heat exchangers. Also, if opening it causes you to immediately turn blue or purple (not just hair, but skin color) and become unconscious, you (or your estate) should definitely replace the heat exchangers.

The second lever from the top controls the lights on the White House Xmas tree. Move it to the middle to turn on the lights, and all the way to the right to fire 4500 Megatons of Nukes at Iraq.

The bottom lever on the dash is used to replace the windshield when it becomes scratched or pitted with rock chips. It also determines how much hot air goes to your feet as opposed to your head. For example, let's say the engine is completely warmed up and the hot air is burning your feet. If it's a cold day, you can flip the lever to the other side and shoot hot air onto the windshield so it cracks and shatters. Then call your insurance company (you do have insurance, don't you?)

The lever between the seats controls the oil mist spray device. When the engine is warmed up, this lever allows you to blow oil mist into the passenger cabin. Using the top dash lever lets you select whether you want the oil mist to coat the inside of the windshield or to just circulate around your feet. On a newer Pooschey, you have 2 levers on the floor between the seats. The left hand lever lets you open the left side vents which are aimed so they burn the feet of the person in the right hand seat, and the right hand lever lets you open the right side vents which are aimed so they burn the feet of the person in the left hand seat. Of course, each lever will also burn just the tops of the feet of the person in the other seat. If you are driving in the rain (or even stopped in the rain after the car has broken down), these levers also let you spray a fog of water vapor on the windshield, so no one can see in or out of the car -- sort of like privacy glass."

[kuehl]

Good One Harry!

LMAO

[nh911]

That sounds about right

[Sirius Driver]

I avoid that area on the dash. It looks like it could cause problems.

[Gustyones]

I've been messing with those controls since i bought the car a year ago and still don't have them figured out. I put everything in the middle and just don't touch it anymore. Harry D's response says it all...

[ivangene]

laughing at Harry !!

I agree its the area of the dash I try to ignore and pretend doesn't exist....for the PWN where it rains about 9 months straight I just bring a towel along for the ride....a nice plush well absorbing thick towel...and you can use it as a blanket while you freeze when your fuel pump relay craps out

[bdisco]

I have studied the diagram above and still can't get my a/c to blow cool air.

[teenerted1]

AJNTSA

must be fall again. search feature is your friend. many threads on this topic this time of year.

BTW...the climate controls on a old 911 are about as easy as they get. unless you are the kind that needs pictures next to the controls to confuse you.

dash controls
top lever/s deals with fresh air amount and the fan
middle directs the fresh air up or down
bottom directs heated air from engine up or down

levers between seats vary over the years but basically control the speed/ammount of heated air.

AC systems...good luck we dont use that power sapping feature in the PAC NOR WET, that is what the big glass accesories on the side of the car are for.

[Laneco]

The above explanation is quite good for an SC. Remember, that your car was designed by German scientists. You have to think GERMAN...

Think of your heat, your fresh air, and your lukewarm a/c being three completely unrelated systems who happen to share a couple of vents. Your controls adjust the speed of the fans and which vent is used.

angela

[motogman]

Well I fell better now...

This (Harry's replay in particular) is exactly how I feel about the system.

Thanks for the laughs.

[b rock]

Harbor Freight has a sale on plug-in heater /defroster fan. Under $10.00

[echecsqueen]

Originally Posted by HarryD

This thread can be of help: Is there a fan to increase the amount of warm air?

Thanks to RWebb, we do have the factory explaination as well :

It goes like this:

"There have been several questions about this recently, so I thought I would post the Official Factory Explanation:

Subject: RE: Heat Control FAQ for Pooschey


Q: I just bought a Pooschey 911 and can't figure out how to make the heater work -- or the fresh air either. Can you help me?

A: Sure, I can help you. The ventilation system requires that you operate 4 levers to make it work. 3 of the levers are on the dash, and the other is between the seats on newer Pooscheys there are 2 levers between the seats).

The top lever on the dash actually does several different things (remember, it is a fiendish German device, just like the rest of the car). Pushing it to the middle opens the dust ports leading to the windshield (see below for operation of fogging machine and oil mist spray device). Pushing it to the right past the middle also activates the rattling noise-maker device. There are three loudness levels to choose from. Pushing the lever all the way to the left is used to jam the cable so unauthorized personnel cannot operate any of the devices above. The lever also enables the automatic heat exchanger signalling device -- when opening it spews rust particles on the windshield, you should replace the heat exchangers. Also, if opening it causes you to immediately turn blue or purple (not just hair, but skin color) and become unconscious, you (or your estate) should definitely replace the heat exchangers.

The second lever from the top controls the lights on the White House Xmas tree. Move it to the middle to turn on the lights, and all the way to the right to fire 4500 Megatons of Nukes at Iraq.

The bottom lever on the dash is used to replace the windshield when it becomes scratched or pitted with rock chips. It also determines how much hot air goes to your feet as opposed to your head. For example, let's say the engine is completely warmed up and the hot air is burning your feet. If it's a cold day, you can flip the lever to the other side and shoot hot air onto the windshield so it cracks and shatters. Then call your insurance company (you do have insurance, don't you?)

The lever between the seats controls the oil mist spray device. When the engine is warmed up, this lever allows you to blow oil mist into the passenger cabin. Using the top dash lever lets you select whether you want the oil mist to coat the inside of the windshield or to just circulate around your feet. On a newer Pooschey, you have 2 levers on the floor between the seats. The left hand lever lets you open the left side vents which are aimed so they burn the feet of the person in the right hand seat, and the right hand lever lets you open the right side vents which are aimed so they burn the feet of the person in the left hand seat. Of course, each lever will also burn just the tops of the feet of the person in the other seat. If you are driving in the rain (or even stopped in the rain after the car has broken down), these levers also let you spray a fog of water vapor on the windshield, so no one can see in or out of the car -- sort of like privacy glass."

I know this thread is ancient but while reading Harry's post for the first time I literally laughed until I teared up. SOOOO true - thanks Harry