Manual to Auto Heater Control - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

HDman · 06-15-2012, 02:01 AM

Hi everyone!
I would like to know if it is possible to replace( in a 986 from 2008) a manual control unit with a automatic one.

Thanks for these awsome forum!

HDman · 07-22-2012, 01:02 AM

Nobody??????

KevinH1990 · 07-22-2012, 08:22 AM

I think your original post might have confused people. A 2008 Boxster would be a 987. Also, in the U.S., I think all 986's came with the automatic climate controls so most of us wouldn't have to make this modification.

I'm not sure how the 987's were equipped.

Good luck with your information search.

thstone · 07-22-2012, 08:49 AM

All of the 987 climate control units that I've seen have an AUTO button (left side of the botton row of control buttons).

HDman · 07-23-2012, 04:05 PM

Sorry guys didn´t realize i typed the year wrong its a 986 from 1998.....

thstone · 07-23-2012, 07:02 PM

Your '98 climate control doesn't have a big AUTO button on the left side? I thought they were all the same for the early year models. If different, can you post a picture, I'd love to see what it looks like.

boxster6354 · 07-23-2012, 07:31 PM

thstone · 07-24-2012, 12:52 PM

Wow. Never seen one of those. Thanks for the pic. I'll try and see what I can find out.

dghii · 07-24-2012, 12:57 PM

Is this a non US Boxster? The lighter and convertible top buttons are on the 'wrong' side as well! maybe this image is reversed...

The Radium King · 07-24-2012, 01:42 PM

early row boxsters came w/ a/c as an option. non-a/c cars had the manual controls with cables to a non-a/c heater unit. note that this unit shares the same part # with the gt3 non-a/c unit. back-dating an a/c car to manual control should be easy (and less weight) but, unless you want to put a/c in your car, the auto climate control won't do much for you.

personally, i am in the market for manual heater controls and non-a/c heater unit if anyone has one; i can find a lot in the uk but those are all for rh drive cars.

Joel-Box-ster · 07-24-2012, 01:44 PM

i did'nt know they make manual setting climate control.

boxster6354 · 07-24-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dghii

Is this a non US Boxster? The lighter and convertible top buttons are on the 'wrong' side as well! maybe this image is reversed...

Hey I just grabbed a photo from the net, it could very well be a Boxster from across the pond :-)

KevinH1990 · 07-24-2012, 04:13 PM

I think you face an uphill battle with the conversion. Porsche seems to make each car's electrical harness specific to the options installed in the car. Thus, a car that does not have heated seats does not have the wiring in place for the seat heaters.

I think the same would be true for the automatic climate control and making the conversion would not be "plug and play". I expect that the auto control would need a hook up for a temperature sensor or perhaps 2 - one for cabin temperature and one for exterior temperature. If you are determined to do it, I think you should start by finding a wiring diagram for both an auto and manual control car. That way, you will know what you need to add. If you have a friend with an electrical or electronic engineering background (or can pretend to be friends with someone who does) that would be a big help.

I was able to add a Homelink garage door opener to my 986, but I benefited from the work of someone on Renntech who figured out all of the wiring and electronic components needed. You probably won't have that advantage. On the other hand, you may be the first person in the world to try this and you will have a great feeling of accomplishment.