Hi Guys, just had a thought running through my head, I recently acquired an Australian '07 ZG LS which only has manual a/c fitted. Wondered whether it would be an easy job to plug in the right parts (sourced from breakers) to upgrade to automatic a/c ? Do I just need the dash control console or do I need a new backend a/c control unit as well (would they bother manufacturing 2 types of backend control units) ? What about temp sensors and the like ? I've got access to a service manual. I guess it all depends on whether the required wiring is already in place. Anybody attempted to do this ? Can it be this easy ? I've got a hunch that I just need the dash control unit.

 

Ok, cleared up this post quite a bit. Disregard anything you read before. You may need ECU coding to enable this, so extra steps (or parts) may be needed.

Here is what you need:
RHD dash connectors: http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2...622ab00eng.png
Photo sensor in C-05
Dash connectors part 2:http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4...622ac00eng.png
Interior temperature sensor in C-123
A/C ECU in C-110 and C-111
and perhaps:
Interior A/C Control Panel in C-120.

 

Forgot to add photo sensor may not be necessary, as 0V from the sensor indicates direct sunshine, while 5V indicates pitch black. Interior cabin sensor can be temporarily replaced with a 4.0 kΩ resistor to simulate 25*C inside the cabin to test the ECU (there are only 2 pins for the sensor).

 

Cheers, your speedy reply is much appreciated.
I wouldn't have figured a photo sensor would be required.
Now to embark on a parts hunt...not to many ZG's being wrecked in Australia at the moment!

 

Yep. Keep in mind any current gen Lancer will work as well. In fact, after reading the Lancer connector diagram, the Lancer lacks the photo sensor but uses the *exact* same A/C ECU unit. This means you can improve the A/C on the Lancer by connecting a photo sensor

 

Lets us know how you get on and how much it costs. I may nbe interested in doing this myself. Thanks

 

I've had no luck as yet sourcing used parts (from a Lancer CJ series or Outlander ZG series) here in Australia.
I had a peek behind my glove box to see what a/c ecu was sitting there (I'm assuming its the a/c ecu as it has two micro connectors going in). I got the following numbers off the side of the box;

7820A209
CAB501A065
VL-07
ver. 6407

is this the same box as the one used by automatic a/c ?

 

Hmm, good question. I googled it and it appears to be an A/C module. The service manual makes no mention of part numbers...it just refers to an "A/C" ECU for both manual and automatic air conditioning.
I was under the assumption there was no A/C ECU for the base A/C...but now I see that ECU controls motors for the fans and ducting gates. So all must have an A/C ECU.

From visual inspect alone, the automatic A/C cars have a front panel which is a bit different from the non automatic ones. The front panel uses only 2 wires to communicate with the A/C ECU (minus the analog potentiometre for the air flow speed), which the manual implies is over the CAN Bus.
This leads me to believe one the following is true:

1. The panel tells the ECU if it has the auto air conditioning.
2. The ECU has a coded option telling the A/C ECU it is automatic or the automatic A/C ECU is a different part number.
3. The presence of a cabin temperature sensor or photo sensor tells the ECU that it is automatic.

I am guessing it is most likely not 3, as some sensor inputs would trick the ECU into thinking they are not present. Likewise, option 2 is also not very likely, since the only reference to the coding option is for the A/C ECU to determine what region it is in to comply with local laws.

So my best guess would be only a front panel is needed if you want automatic A/C.

Keep in mind I have never done this and have only derived this from the service manual for the Lancer and Outlander.

 

Thanks again Ivanz for you infinite wisdom.
Typing in 7820A209 brings up a lot of russion mitsi part websites.
I also agree that it seems reasonable that by adding the automatic a/c control panel (plus temp sensor) should give me the auto functions I'm looking for. I might even go as far as to say that I bet the manual control panel and the auto share a lot of common circuitry for the simple reason that a generic solution is cheaper to produce. If only I had the skills and know-how to work out how to send an auto on/off signal to the a/c ecu. I might pay a visit to the local mitsi dealer and see if I can get hold of part numbers for the auto a/c control panel. I bet the price is astronomical!
Is there a right hand drive (Australian) outlander service manual available somewhere ? I can only find the russian auto club left hand drive one.
Cheers.

 

The Russian one (original Mitsubishi software) has both LHD and RHD. That's where I got the diagrams from.