Are the manual and auto climate controls interchangable ? Like plug and play or is there possibly more to it ?

 

Yes, you need to get an auto control panel. The control panel tells the A/C ECU if it is automatic or manual via the CAN BUS.
To not get error messages when upgrading and to ensure it works properly, you need to install a sunload sensor (not required, but will improve performance) and a internal cabin temperature sensor. Both are around $15 for OEM parts. The front panel is ~$200...

 

awsome thanks for the answer cause i found the panel on ebay for $34 used so thats great thank you.

 

hey quick question you happen to know were the senors are located and what they plug into ? Also can i install the panel for now and just not use the auto feature for now until i get the sensors (i wana say yes ) ? There on order im just pre planning.

 

No problem.
Yes, one is right behind the top dashboard bin (there is a rectangle plastic part to cover the hole) and the other is right above your right knee near the key slot (there are slots in the plastic).
I gave some details on the parts needed here, which will provide you with part numbers:
https://mitsubishiforum.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=35577
Its only three pages, most of it is between 1 and 2. Just flip everything over, since this was the RHD model (so the interior cabin sensor on RHD cars is above the left knee, but above the right knee in LHD).

 

awsome thanks ivanz for the ALL the info !

 

just completed this today and went well ! Just need for my sensors to come in to take advantage of this. Its works just not accurate (no error message) w/o sensors. Thanks to ivanz for all you help and links !

 

Great...no problem. I'm waiting to find a metric control panel for cheap, then I will actually do the mod myself. Most are going for over $200 though...

Not sure about the error message, the manual didn't state if it was big enough of a problem to warn you about it via the LCD.