Analog to digital climate control swap complete!!

[exodus454]

Hey all.

Just thought I'd post here about my recent conversion. I know there's been a LOT of uncertainty around the internet about this swap, and I just want you all to know that IT CAN BE DONE!

The swap itself is easy, it's the disassembly that would make this not worth it. I'm in the middle of doing a tan to black interior conversion and leatheriquing my seats, so my interior was ripped apart already. When I started swapping the heater parts, ALL of my dash was gone, down to the support bars on either side of the car.

With disassembly out of the way, the swap takes about 2-3 hours. I don't know about the swap other cars like 318's, but mine is a 1994 325is.

You need -
96+ heater box and harness - $100
96+ digital climate control computer - $60
96+ center vent - $30
(all from a 23k mile M3, so fairly new)

So I did mine for a grand total of $190.

After you have all the parts, you just swap the heater boxes (draining the coolant is not necessary, but you HAVE to discharge the A/C. This should be done by a licenced technician as R-12 and R-134a are very hazardous to the environment. I released mine into the air, only because the car was immobile and nobody could come bring the equipment to me.), plug in the heater harness to the chassis harness, and plug in your new digital climate control module. You're done! It's plug and play. With the updated HVAC parts, you also can now get rid of the A/C control module from the old system, which is the black box forward of the shifter and under the ash tray.

Now, I know some of you are going to tell me how the digital climate control sucks. My heater core was bad, my analog climate control faceplate was delaminating, my blower motor needed to be replaced and therefore was blowing the resistor pack. So for $190 I replaced all the bad parts, updated the look of the interior, and now have 9 fan speeds as opposed to 4. Oh, and a cool auto mode too.


Questions, comments? LETS HEAR 'EM!

Pics coming as soon as I convert them.

[craig.m]

Nice. Was it worth it?

[exodus454]

Nice. Was it worth it?

I'd say so, so far. I've spent a good deal of time playing with it, but I'm still dying leather so the car is still not being driven.

I'll give you a good answer in a few weeks.

[vibes]

I HATED my analog climate controls... always breaking, too much of a hassle to use.

I like my knobs more

[richter]

That conversion looks way too hard for somone who isn't ripin their interior apart :/

[Draconian325]

So am I correct in assuming I would have to completely remove my dash in order to do this. I mean I would LOVE to lose the ugly beige one I have now but....

[e36grant]

What exactly has to be taken apart in order to get at what needs to be replaced?

Because the head is off my motor, my ac is EMPTY, and my blower resistor is gone, so it almost seems like a good time.

[MurphysLaww]

Sorry to dredge this up from the depths, but after doing this, did it look possible to simply move the analog control panel down one slot to the lower double DIN cage?

I'm going to attempt to put in a double din touch screen in the upper section hopefully.

[rideanddestroy]

im curious to know what all is involved to dothis from stock with all thingsi n place

[jijacob]

So for $190 I replaced all the bad parts, updated the look of the interior, and now have 9 fan speeds as opposed to 4.

Not to be technical or anything but I have about a million settings between Off and 1... so I think you just downgraded .

Nice swap though. I'd have liked to have the digital climate control.

[Scheidgen]

im curious to know what all is involved to dothis from stock with all thingsi n place

me too

[crazeetowntatto]

so i cant just take the knob controller out and put in a digi controller? i have to change the airbox behind it. i have a 93 325is

[randomy]

I don't think my digital temp allows me to set a temp above 80.

[amdspitfire]

I don't think my digital temp allows me to set a temp above 80.

it should

[Romad84]

Sorry to dredge this up from the depths, but after doing this, did it look possible to simply move the analog control panel down one slot to the lower double DIN cage?

I'm going to attempt to put in a double din touch screen in the upper section hopefully.

If you have figured out if this will work, please let me know. I've been wanting to do the same thing.

[TheBigSwede]

Not to be a downer, but I do heating and air for a living. If I were you I would edit that first post about releasing your freon into the air. If the wrong person read that you could be in some serious trouble if they could prove you did it. Just a thought.

[MParallel]

Not to be technical or anything but I have about a million settings between Off and 1... so I think you just downgraded .

Nice swap though. I'd have liked to have the digital climate control.

Look how old his topic is

PS the unit has 8 speed setting, not 9, unless you include off.

I don't think my digital temp allows me to set a temp above 80.

It should go up to 90 (32° C)

Sorry to dredge this up from the depths, but after doing this, did it look possible to simply move the analog control panel down one slot to the lower double DIN cage?

I'm going to attempt to put in a double din touch screen in the upper section hopefully.

It's been done:

[Enemy]

It's been done:

THAT. is. sexy.

[328iJunkie]

Maybe its easier on a RHD car... I couldnt get the climate control down there. Its too long

[subspd]

My heater works but wont direct air to the feet on my 94' is this a problem with the controls or the flap thingy (thats the technical term...) that directs the air

[BKKBeemer]

My heater works but wont direct air to the feet on my 94' is this a problem with the controls or the flap thingy (thats the technical term...) that directs the air

I did the analogue to digital switch about a year ago.... my passengers always complained about the power not being quite as strong with the digital as with the previous analogue unit.

My AC died completely about a week ago and is in the shop being looked at today - so I hope to have answers on that issue as well as having it blow cold air again. Fingers crossed

[wbarfels]

Probably the Resistor Pack? What all would u have to take out to get to that heater box and swap them to the Digital Box? I want to do this, but locating a digital Style heater box is tricky! and I dont know how much of the car Ill need to take apart.

[deeban]

Hi there,

I tried to do the same retrofitting but when i took out the glovebox i realised that i only had the white plug. I was missing the black plug. Any idea of where it can be or if you got a new harness?

thanks
Deeban

[exodus454]

Hi there,

I tried to do the same retrofitting but when i took out the glovebox i realised that i only had the white plug. I was missing the black plug. Any idea of where it can be or if you got a new harness?

thanks
Deeban

it shouldn't be behind the glovebox.. typographical error?

[deeban]

where would it be then? I think it wasnt glovebox actually it was more near the centre where the vents are. if that helps?

and also u have written that u got a harness. what exactly was the harness? isnt it jus the plugs from the heater matrix itself?