Control Assembly: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION
The manual temperature control heater-A/C system uses a combination of electrical and vacuum controls. The Automatic Zone Control (AZC) heater-A/C system uses only electrical controls. These controls provide the vehicle operator with a number of setting options to help control the climate and comfort within the vehicle. Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the suggested operation and use of these controls.

Heater- Air Conditioner Control Panels:

Both heater-A/C control panels are located on the instrument panel inboard of the steering column and below the radio. Both control panels contain rotary-type temperature control knobs, a rotary-type mode control switch knob, a rotary-type blower motor speed switch knob and an air conditioning compressor push button switch. The Rear Window Defogger push button switch is also located on the heater-A/C control panel. The AZC control panel also features a Recirc push button switch and a vacuum fluorescent display area.

OPERATION
The AZC control module uses infrared sensing technology to control occupant comfort levels, not the actual passenger compartment air temperature. Dual infrared sensors mounted in the face of the control unit independently measure the surface temperature to maintain customer-perceived comfort temperature under changing conditions. Dual Zone temperature control provides wide side-to-side variation in comfort temperature to exceed the needs of either front seat occupant. This sensing system replaces interior air temperature and solar sensors used to approximate direct sensing control through complex control programs.

Both the manual heater-A/C control panel and the AZC control panel are serviced only as complete units and cannot be repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire control panel unit must be replaced.