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Climate Control issue

I swapped out the original slider climate control panel from my 86 with a rotary panel a couple years ago. Since then I've had to replace the temp control  4 times.  The problem is that the cable that I pulled from the 91 Sable that I got the panel from wraps in a weird way to work in the 86.  This means that the cable is really tight and changing the temp requires a lot of pressure, which then breaks the s. 

Does anyone have any idea's on how to fix this?  One thought that I had was to replace the mechanical cable with the motorized version that Ford uses from 92 or so on.  Is there an easy way to do so?  Has anyone tried?  If so, how would I go about doing that and what parts would I need?

Any idea's would be great!

Climate Control issue

Reply #1
Why not go back to the 86?
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Climate Control issue

Reply #2
because he likes his new rotory s.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Climate Control issue

Reply #3
i like the rotary s quite a bit better than the slider.  takes up less space than the slider panel does.  I want to find a solution so that i don't have to search ebay every couple of weeks to replace the /panel.

Climate Control issue

Reply #4
My guess would be that the cable is bent. I have the same problem in the convertible...except I haven't broken any s.

The Taurus/Sable cable is actually longer than the stock T-Bird/Cougar one. Will told me that he used (IIRC) a Mustang cable which is closer in length to our original ones. His temp selector switch works very smoothly in his car; in fact I've asked him if he really had a cable installed, it was that smooth. Peeked behind the dash, and lo and behold, it's hooked up.

So...an unbent cable should do the trick, and if you're going to replace it, look for the 1991-95 Mustang cable.

I've never heard from anyone that used the motorized version.

Climate Control issue

Reply #5
with the panel that i've got, the cable exits the housing to the driver side of the vehicle, then turns to go to the passenger side, then has to turn again to reach the lever at the right angle.  so it actually bends twice to get where it needs to go to even work.  is there any way to modify it so that those bends don't occur?  i know that would fix the problem easily.

Climate Control issue

Reply #6
so how would i go about installing the cable so it is NOT bent?

Climate Control issue

Reply #7
IIRC the cable should exit the back of the slider mechanism on the passenger side. Maybe that's the problem...

Climate Control issue

Reply #8
just wondering, would you be interested in the auto climate control from an 87 bird?  it works fine although my heater core is bypassed and the a/c hasnt worked since i had the car..  the unit works flawlessly.  im considering parting out my tbird so if theres intrest i might be able to work a deal with you. (if theres intrest in the stuff in my car i might post pictures and you guys can have the pick.  the car is 99.8% complete so PM me if theres any intrest.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
:america: An American Restoration. :birdsmily:
1987 Ford Thunderbird Sport (resting)
1993 Mazda Miata 1.6l (daily driver)

Climate Control issue

Reply #9
I beleive if I remember right, I also used a Mustang cable, when I did the conversion.  turned easily.;)


Quote from: EricCoolCats;256716
My guess would be that the cable is bent. I have the same problem in the convertible...except I haven't broken any s.

The Taurus/Sable cable is actually longer than the stock T-Bird/Cougar one. Will told me that he used (IIRC) a Mustang cable which is closer in length to our original ones. His temp selector switch works very smoothly in his car; in fact I've asked him if he really had a cable installed, it was that smooth. Peeked behind the dash, and lo and behold, it's hooked up.

So...an unbent cable should do the trick, and if you're going to replace it, look for the 1991-95 Mustang cable.

I've never heard from anyone that used the motorized version.
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

Climate Control issue

Reply #10
what does that auto climate control entail parts-wise?

on the panel, the cable exists the mechanism to the drivers side, and looking at the panel, there is no way to swap it the other direction, unless i'm missing something, which is entirely possible...

Climate Control issue

Reply #11
partswise its a self contained unit, unless someone more knowledgable comes along and says it has a harness or a computer control unit, i'd get everything you need that i can out of the car, wouldnt cut wires unless i knew it was ok without causing you any troubles.  infact let me PM and see if i can get a quicker answer on that.

i would think it wouldnt be any harder than hooking up some wires and mounting it in the dash.  it mounts into mine like the stereo.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
:america: An American Restoration. :birdsmily:
1987 Ford Thunderbird Sport (resting)
1993 Mazda Miata 1.6l (daily driver)

Climate Control issue

Reply #12
on the panel, the cable exists the mechanism to the drivers side, and looking at the panel, there is no way to swap it the other direction, unless i'm missing something, which is entirely possible...