Climate control upgrade

[Grumpygeorge]

I've been visiting U Pull and Pay as a kind of fun thing with my girl friend, we call it "Take Your Girlfriend to the Junkyard Day", about once a month. We look through the cars and see what kind of things we can add to our 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. Here's my question: Will the digital climate control unit direct swap with the analog unit? Is there more to it than just pulling one out and plugging the other one into it? The other cabin systems have worked out, like stereo, overhead console, cd changer, seats, etc. I can't find much about it on the net.

Thanks,

George

[RIP]

Sounds like you like to go all out in the romantic arena. I've never heard of anyone trying it but anything is possible. Just depends on how much time and effort you want to put into it. Looking at the wiring diagrams it appears you would have some rewiring to do in the area of blower control both front and rear and you would need the temp sensor. The PCI data bus may be a wall. Would you like the wiring diagrams? Send me a PM with an email address included.

[Bill Grissom]

As mentioned, the digital ATC has a special electronic "resistor" instead of real resistors. I wonder if it even simulates a resistor. It could be a more complicated interaction with the blower motor, in which case the blower motor may be a different type as well (maybe "brush-less" DC type). Sounds like a lot of work for minimal return. Yours is simpler and more reliable.

Great girl you have. My wife always says I am an idiot for fixing our cars when a "professional" could do it quick. She never owned a car before we married. She thinks it is only our cars that need fixing and hasn't figured out why there are so many auto parts and repair shops. In her country only peasants work with their hands. I wish she could appreciate junkyards like your girl does. Such great parts one can get for pennies on the dollar and re-use.