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Topic: AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle. (Read 1097 times) previous topic - next topic

AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle.

Does anyone know what this hole is for? Ive always wondered why its there, and just thought to ask tonight when I saw this trim on Ebay. 
You can see it in the pics on this ebay listing.
 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-1988-FORD-THUNDERBIRD-TURBO-COUPE-RADIO-HEATER-DASH-BEZEL-OEM-/281090471576?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item41724c3698&vxp=mtr

AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle.

Reply #1 –
eatc tempetur sensor.

its for.the automatic.tempetur.

stupid touchscreen...
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

AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle.

Reply #2 –
ATC cars mount the cabin ambient temp sensor there, which is attached to a tube that runs to the blower inlet, so that cabin air is drawn across the sensor and the Automatic Climate Control knows how much work it has to do.

AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle.

Reply #3 –
Yep, ATC. Every 80's Ford had that cutout somewhere in the top section of the dash, even the non-ATC vehicles. The cutout in the Bird is the most cleverly hidden of all I have seen.

AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle.

Reply #4 –
actually the non eatc cars do not have the hole.
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

AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle.

Reply #5 –
Maybe it varied by year/model, but every one I've owned had the ATC cutout, only 1 of them actually had ATC though.

AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle.

Reply #6 –
mine have been the opposite.
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

AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle.

Reply #7 –
no ATC on my car, trim has the hole.

AC/stereo controls trim. Factory hole cut in it at the top middle.

Reply #8 –
I've got 2 T-Birds, one LX with ATC, and a base V8 without ATC.  I combined the 2 to make 1 LX out of the base.  I could do this because they all have the hole.