aggravation

I'm about to put my center console back together with the Pioneer tochscreen double din head unit and I'm thinking it would sure be nice to replace the prehistoric looking AC head unit with something else.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Isn't there some more modern control I could canibalize and use? A few buttons and a **** or two?!?

In the meantime I'm thinking about installing the old unit in an alternate location for now so it's hidden. Maybe flush mounted sideways in the carpeted left side center console panel (by the drivers right knee)....or in the drivers door armrest compartment.....

Big AL in VA

I recently saw a thread where someone put a VW nav unit in and relocated center console units (w/pics). It was a very nice and clean job. He explained in detail what he did and what problems he ran across.
In any event, please post some pics when you are done.

Alan

You could - but there is nothing plug & play so its a lot of work.

I have actually thought about this a bit and have even purchased a few modern alternates to evaluate. I'd probably go with 3 rotary controls as is the modern style 1 for fan speed, 1 for temperature set and one for flap position. You'd need a few additional controls for Defrost/AC/Recirc etc but it would definitely be a more modern layout - but most modern units are also bigger - so problematic.

If it were easy I might have actually done it by now... I do understand the electrical requirements - but even then it is not easy to match.

I'd say its very hard to do this without a very big effort - probably not worthwhile... Rod was looking at doing a digital version - not quite what I described above - but he also still has his hands full with window controllers.

Alan

aggravation

How about just extend the wiring for the original control **** and sliders and stash the old unit somewhere? Could rotary controls replace the sliders...a rheostat or whatever you call them?
I'm imagining a few small rotary ***** and a few buttons taking up a little less "face plate" space.

Alan

You can easily extend the wiring. The temperature control (top) is a potentiometer - could be be replaced with a rotary version, but it also needs to have momentary switches for a range at either end of its travel (full-heat and full-cool modes) The bottom is basically a slide switch - you could replace it with certain types of rotary multi way switches - but you'd need a bunch of diodes and relays as in the stock head unit

It would need to be reconfigured somewhat to unbundle features like Recirc and DEF that are currently combined into flap modes...

Still a lot of work...

Alan

aggravation

Thanks, that clears it up a bit. I know just enough about electronics to realize I'm not willing to go that far.
Did the design die with the 928 or did the electronic control of a vacuum operated system evolve in other Porsche models? Perhaps there was a 'next generation' of the design used in a different vehicle that could be used?

I'm mounting the nav unit out flush with the edge of the console so maybe the best move would be to relocate the climate control unit below the nav unit but leave it recessed and cover it with a flip open panel that has other controls or displays on it's face...clock, air fuel gauge, radar detector display and/or mute switch.
Make the panel flush with the nav unit so the center console has a uniform modern look and the old climate controls would be just under the surface. You don't need to touch the climate controls very often once you've made a selection.

Alan

I don't think there is anything that is really a Porsche evolution for the same thing (as in any real compatibility).

One other thing I'd like to change is the vacuum flap actuators - seems these should have gone directly electric well before the GTS. Most modern high end cars use stepper motors - but that's a hard retrofit even if physically compatible actuators were located.

Alan

medipedicman

Some one has a 968 control unit for sale in the rennlist classifieds. It is mid 90's and a great look. I always wondered about compatability. Please keep us updated.