Control Assembly: Description and Operation
These vehicles group together the following systems into a single integrated control panel:
- AM/FM stereo radio
- clock
- rear window defroster switch
- Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC)
- full-logic cassette tape player
- compact disc player control (optional)
The remote climate control module is mounted to the A/C evaporator housing.
The integrated control panel is connected to the remote climate control module with a dedicated two-wire communication link.
The EATC integrated control panel features:
- a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) for displaying set temperature, ambient temperature, function and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
- electro-luminescent backlighting for all buttons and graphics.
- function override buttons.
- temperature control and blower speed rocker switches.
When the system is operating under AUTOMATIC control, the VFD display will show the preferred or target temperature to which the elements of the automatic control system respond.
- A/C blower motor speed, under automatic control, varies in response to in-car temperature selection, sunload sensor and ambient temperature sensor changes and a predetermined delay factor.
- Temperature selection may be increased or decreased in one degree increments between 18°C and 29°C (65°F and 85°F) by pressing the TEMP rocker switch. The system will respond accordingly.
Other control assembly features include:
- a 16°C (60°F) setting for maximum cool and a 32°C (90°F) setting for maximum heat.
- an OUTSIDE TEMP button which, when pressed, will display the air temperature outside the vehicle.
- an OFF button which, if pressed, will apply vacuum to close the heater and A/C air inlet duct door, shut off A/C blower motor operation and discontinue climate control functions through the system.
When the -FAN+ rocker switch is pressed, the blower motor speed will remain under manual control until the AUTO or MAX A/C button is pressed.
- Under automatic control, A/C blower motor speed varies as required to accommodate the total automatic functions in the system.
- Under manual control, A/C blower motor speed is constant, based on the rocker switch setting.
An illumination bulb in the control assembly provides backlighting for the vacuum fluorescent display window. When the panel dim control on the headlamp switch is adjusted, the intensity of the light from this bulb will increase or decrease depending upon the adjustment. (The backlighting on the control assembly, as well as in other instrument panel locations, will dim whenever the headlamp switch is in HEAD).