MINI2

dco43054 · May 15th, 2003, 06:01 PM

The one option (it was part of a package in the U.S.) I wish I would not have gotten is the Auto A/C. Just really annoys me how it decides to run at full blast, and how it selects which vents, etc. to run.

Anyone know if it is theoretically possible (with a change to BC1 most likely) to swap the manual A/C controlls for the Auto controls? And if so, what it would entail?

Regards,

Dave

P.S. And yes, I do know how to run the Auto unit in "Manual" mode. That's the way I use it.

Prowse · May 15th, 2003, 07:03 PM

Er, so if you know how you run the unit in manual mode, why don't you stick with it? The climate control panel looks far better than the manual aircon, and I'm sure it's just as quiet at low fan speeds.

No problems with my climate control, it sounds fine.
Perhaps you could turn up the stereo?

Tonyt3 · May 15th, 2003, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prowse
Er, so if you know how you run the unit in manual mode, why don't you stick with it? The climate control panel looks far better than the manual aircon, and I'm sure it's just as quiet at low fan speeds.

No problems with my climate control, it sounds fine.
Perhaps you could turn up the stereo?

So many people choose Auto Aircon based on the premise that 'it looks better'. Whilst I agree that yes it does look better in design it is actually a pian in the but if it decides to do something that you don't want it too. The fan is also noisier on the Auto Air compared to the manual. Further, if you want to switch it to manual mode and use it that way, the controls are harder to use. To change a setting in manual mode, you actually have to look down at the buttons to decide which ones to choose and to also look at what the current and desired setting should be, and the contorls are not in your eye line, so you are briefly looking away from the road.
You don't have to do that with the fully manual Aircon. You just reach to a dial and turn it to the setting, without having to take your eyes off the road. I know how Dave feels, and when people ask what options to have, I always advise the Manual. I do this knowing that unlike most people, I can make a valid, honest and unbiased judgement, as I have the pleasure of two MCS's, one with Manual, one with Auto. At the end of the day, your brain is sufficient to tell you whether your too hot or too cold, and you can adjust the settings easily and quickly, and never have to put up with a sudden blast of cold air in the face when its your toes that want cooling!!!! With manual Aircon, you are also more likely to just wind the window down to get some freash air instead. Auto Air gets 'upset' if you decide to do that.

And don't get me started on Auto Windscreen Wipers!!!!!!

acetonic · May 15th, 2003, 07:47 PM

I love the auto AC. I just set ot on 66F and never touch it unless I need to de-fog or de-ice.

I'm sure the swap can be done, but you might be the first to try it, so not much advice will be found.

dco43054 · May 16th, 2003, 12:26 AM

No offense guys, but I didn't want to get into a discussion of the merits of Auto Climate Control. What I do want to discuss is if anyone has made the swap, or knows of the ins and outs of doing so.

Dave

GBMINI · May 16th, 2003, 09:33 AM

In "MINI Complete Vehicle" there are pics of the internals along with detailed descriptions of "IKHS" and "IKHA" (manual and auto systems).
It looks extremely unlikely that you could mod auto to manual in any economical way ... better to just trade up!

dco43054 · May 16th, 2003, 10:15 AM

Ian,

Just purchased mine two months ago, so no trade in the offing. And, the Auto A/C doesn't bother me that much.

The "MINI Complete Vehicle" reference is not ringing any bells. Is that in MINI2, or someplace else?

Thanks,

Dave

BruceK · May 16th, 2003, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dco43054
No offense guys, but I didn't want to get into a discussion of the merits of Auto Climate Control. What I do want to discuss is if anyone has made the swap, or knows of the ins and outs of doing so.

Understood. I know nothing about a possible swap, but I can remind you that you can manually control the functions of the auto a/c, to make it more like a manual system. You can set the fan speed to your liking, turn recirc on or off, choose where you want the air to flow, adjust the temp down to LO or up to HI, etc. Just an idea....

erichui · May 16th, 2003, 02:53 PM

to be honest, i really don't find much problem using the auto air con.
it just work excatly the same as my mum's car, which is a BMW E46 3series

the reason i got the auto air con becuase it looks much better, but really i don't find much difference in using the auto and the manual aircon

dco43054 · May 16th, 2003, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK
Understood. I know nothing about a possible swap, but I can remind you that you can manually control the functions of the auto a/c, to make it more like a manual system. You can set the fan speed to your liking, turn recirc on or off, choose where you want the air to flow, adjust the temp down to LO or up to HI, etc. Just an idea....

Probably some proverb out there about never pizzing off a MINI2 Moderator, but Bruce - I KNOW How to work the unit manually. I know how to turn it off and on, recirc off and on, fan speed, et.al. Unlike Forest Gump, I am a smart man.... And I didn't get the auto control panel for looks. The package just came that way.

What I was hoping for here was a discussion of the possibilities. Seems like no one has done this, or has contemplated it. So - I'm just going to let this thead fade away in to the MINI2 archives......

Dave

Dec · May 16th, 2003, 08:01 PM

Sorry, but im interested to know:

"And don't get me started on Auto Windscreen Wipers!!!!!!"

please? can i? i have them and i dont see a problem, just out of interest

ok sometimes they it takes a secound longer then ud like but all in all much easier (?)

Dec

Tonyt3 · May 16th, 2003, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dec
Sorry, but im interested to know:

"And don't get me started on Auto Windscreen Wipers!!!!!!"

please? can i? i have them and i dont see a problem, just out of interest ok sometimes they it takes a secound longer then ud like but all in all much easier (?)

Dec

Well, its like this.... the rain starts falling, hits the windscreen, and my eyes pass a signal to my brain to move my finger which operates the lever that makes the windscreen wipers operate at a speed governed by my needs, as assessed by my brain. I decide when to alter the speed of the wipers, I decide when they are no longer needed. There is no danger to any other road users caused by this highly complex manouver, and my brain can easily handle the extra thought levels needed without shutting down or rebooting.

I wonder how much Research and Developement costs went into developing a system to replace the effort expended by me in using my brain/finger combination to achieve the task of turning on the wipers? I wonder how much to system costs in the car in terms of parts used/fitting?

Put it this way - do they remove the manual controls from the car when they fit auto windscreen technology? No. Why? Because it doesn't always get it right, and occasionally you have to change the settings yourself.

As I said..... don't get me started on Auto windscreen wipers!!!!!!

BruceK · May 17th, 2003, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dco43054
Probably some proverb out there about never pizzing off a MINI2 Moderator, but Bruce - I KNOW How to work the unit manually. I know how to turn it off and on, recirc off and on, fan speed, et.al. Unlike Forest Gump, I am a smart man.... ....

Good thing you're not the least bit tense about any of this!

GBMINI · May 17th, 2003, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dco43054
The "MINI Complete Vehicle" reference is not ringing any bells. Is that in MINI2, or someplace else?

Thanks,

Dave

Dave,
It is an expensive spiral bound book - used by USA MINI techs for training I think.
Go here then click on the "purchase materials" link; on the new page click on the "CD" link, then look for ST-044.
There probably is a UK equivalent somewhere ...
BTW: Not worth the $95 unless you are a fanatic

GBMINI · May 17th, 2003, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony*t3
I wonder how much to system costs in the car in terms of parts used/fitting?

In USA, you pay $140 for the auto wipers and the dimming mirror, so I don't think the auto wipers add much cost to the car ... my previous MC did not have them, and I had only one choice of intermittent wiper speed. Not always the correct speed.
Now, I have "infinite" choice - maybe not quite MY infinite choice, but pretty close ...
Try driving in light rain (if that happens in UK), then closing the gap on another vehicle - I love the way the wipers speed up on their own.
Then go into a tunnel, and admire how they just stop

It is the little things that please us!

PS: UK ex-pat, so the weather reference is with some experience!

dco43054 · May 17th, 2003, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK
Good thing you're not the least bit tense about any of this!

Nah Bruce, actually can be pretty laid back. Just wanted a nice focused theoretical discussion on a technical question....

Dave

dco43054 · May 17th, 2003, 08:47 PM

Thanks to Ian for some info he emailed on the systems.

The short answer is that there seem to be two different airbox control setups used, as well as the different switch panels. The manual panel has no tie to the BC1, while the Auto panel does.

Does not appear to be a simple swap, though I really wish that it was....

Regards all,

Dave

BruceK · May 18th, 2003, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dco43054
Nah Bruce, actually can be pretty laid back. Just wanted a nice focused theoretical discussion on a technical question....

Dave

Have you ever seen a thread stay focused on a single topic? (let alone a technical one?!)

May 15th, 2003, 06:01 PM	#1
dco43054 MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Local Time: 12:53 AM Posts: 662 Offline	Auto A/C to Manual Swap - Is It Possible? The one option (it was part of a package in the U.S.) I wish I would not have gotten is the Auto A/C. Just really annoys me how it decides to run at full blast, and how it selects which vents, etc. to run. Anyone know if it is theoretically possible (with a change to BC1 most likely) to swap the manual A/C controlls for the Auto controls? And if so, what it would entail? Regards, Dave P.S. And yes, I do know how to run the Auto unit in "Manual" mode. That's the way I use it. Gotten anything useful from MINI2? How about giving a little something back? '03 MCS BRG/W Anthracite Pkg 1,2,3 Last edited by dco43054 : May 16th, 2003 at 12:27 AM.

May 16th, 2003, 12:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
dco43054 MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Local Time: 12:53 AM Posts: 662 Offline	All well and good, but can we stick to the topic? No offense guys, but I didn't want to get into a discussion of the merits of Auto Climate Control. What I do want to discuss is if anyone has made the swap, or knows of the ins and outs of doing so. Dave Gotten anything useful from MINI2? How about giving a little something back? '03 MCS BRG/W Anthracite Pkg 1,2,3

May 16th, 2003, 09:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
GBMINI MINI2 Master Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Gloucester, MA, USA Local Time: 01:53 AM Posts: 7,604 Offline	In "MINI Complete Vehicle" there are pics of the internals along with detailed descriptions of "IKHS" and "IKHA" (manual and auto systems). It looks extremely unlikely that you could mod auto to manual in any economical way ... better to just trade up! Ian C. Gloucester, MA, USA (UK expat) driving GPMINI and Convertible GBMINI#6

May 16th, 2003, 10:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
dco43054 MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Local Time: 12:53 AM Posts: 662 Offline	Ian, Just purchased mine two months ago, so no trade in the offing. And, the Auto A/C doesn't bother me that much. The "MINI Complete Vehicle" reference is not ringing any bells. Is that in MINI2, or someplace else? Thanks, Dave Gotten anything useful from MINI2? How about giving a little something back? '03 MCS BRG/W Anthracite Pkg 1,2,3

May 16th, 2003, 10:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 11:53 PM Posts: 3,759 Offline	Re: All well and good, but can we stick to the topic? Quote: Originally posted by dco43054 No offense guys, but I didn't want to get into a discussion of the merits of Auto Climate Control. What I do want to discuss is if anyone has made the swap, or knows of the ins and outs of doing so. Understood. I know nothing about a possible swap, but I can remind you that you can manually control the functions of the auto a/c, to make it more like a manual system. You can set the fan speed to your liking, turn recirc on or off, choose where you want the air to flow, adjust the temp down to LO or up to HI, etc. Just an idea.... + 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather + 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed

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May 15th, 2003, 07:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Prowse MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lancs Local Time: 06:53 AM Posts: 1,542 Offline	Er, so if you know how you run the unit in manual mode, why don't you stick with it? The climate control panel looks far better than the manual aircon, and I'm sure it's just as quiet at low fan speeds. No problems with my climate control, it sounds fine. Perhaps you could turn up the stereo?

May 15th, 2003, 07:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tonyt3 Track addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hants Local Time: 06:53 AM Posts: 6,260 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Prowse Er, so if you know how you run the unit in manual mode, why don't you stick with it? The climate control panel looks far better than the manual aircon, and I'm sure it's just as quiet at low fan speeds. No problems with my climate control, it sounds fine. Perhaps you could turn up the stereo? So many people choose Auto Aircon based on the premise that 'it looks better'. Whilst I agree that yes it does look better in design it is actually a pian in the but if it decides to do something that you don't want it too. The fan is also noisier on the Auto Air compared to the manual. Further, if you want to switch it to manual mode and use it that way, the controls are harder to use. To change a setting in manual mode, you actually have to look down at the buttons to decide which ones to choose and to also look at what the current and desired setting should be, and the contorls are not in your eye line, so you are briefly looking away from the road. You don't have to do that with the fully manual Aircon. You just reach to a dial and turn it to the setting, without having to take your eyes off the road. I know how Dave feels, and when people ask what options to have, I always advise the Manual. I do this knowing that unlike most people, I can make a valid, honest and unbiased judgement, as I have the pleasure of two MCS's, one with Manual, one with Auto. At the end of the day, your brain is sufficient to tell you whether your too hot or too cold, and you can adjust the settings easily and quickly, and never have to put up with a sudden blast of cold air in the face when its your toes that want cooling!!!! With manual Aircon, you are also more likely to just wind the window down to get some freash air instead. Auto Air gets 'upset' if you decide to do that. And don't get me started on Auto Windscreen Wipers!!!!!!

May 15th, 2003, 07:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
acetonic MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Castle, Delaware Local Time: 01:53 AM Posts: 289 Offline	I love the auto AC. I just set ot on 66F and never touch it unless I need to de-fog or de-ice. I'm sure the swap can be done, but you might be the first to try it, so not much advice will be found.

May 16th, 2003, 02:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
erichui MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sydney Local Time: 04:53 PM Posts: 649 Offline	to be honest, i really don't find much problem using the auto air con. it just work excatly the same as my mum's car, which is a BMW E46 3series the reason i got the auto air con becuase it looks much better, but really i don't find much difference in using the auto and the manual aircon 05 PW/B chilli. finally here.

May 16th, 2003, 05:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
dco43054 MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Local Time: 12:53 AM Posts: 662 Offline	Re: Re: All well and good, but can we stick to the topic? Quote: Originally posted by BruceK Understood. I know nothing about a possible swap, but I can remind you that you can manually control the functions of the auto a/c, to make it more like a manual system. You can set the fan speed to your liking, turn recirc on or off, choose where you want the air to flow, adjust the temp down to LO or up to HI, etc. Just an idea.... Probably some proverb out there about never pizzing off a MINI2 Moderator, but Bruce - I KNOW How to work the unit manually. I know how to turn it off and on, recirc off and on, fan speed, et.al. Unlike Forest Gump, I am a smart man.... And I didn't get the auto control panel for looks. The package just came that way. What I was hoping for here was a discussion of the possibilities. Seems like no one has done this, or has contemplated it. So - I'm just going to let this thead fade away in to the MINI2 archives...... Dave Gotten anything useful from MINI2? How about giving a little something back? '03 MCS BRG/W Anthracite Pkg 1,2,3

May 16th, 2003, 08:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dec MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2003 Local Time: 05:53 AM Posts: 253 Offline	Sorry, but im interested to know: "And don't get me started on Auto Windscreen Wipers!!!!!!" please? can i? i have them and i dont see a problem, just out of interest ok sometimes they it takes a secound longer then ud like but all in all much easier (?) Dec

May 16th, 2003, 08:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tonyt3 Track addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hants Local Time: 06:53 AM Posts: 6,260 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Dec Sorry, but im interested to know: "And don't get me started on Auto Windscreen Wipers!!!!!!" please? can i? i have them and i dont see a problem, just out of interest ok sometimes they it takes a secound longer then ud like but all in all much easier (?) Dec Well, its like this.... the rain starts falling, hits the windscreen, and my eyes pass a signal to my brain to move my finger which operates the lever that makes the windscreen wipers operate at a speed governed by my needs, as assessed by my brain. I decide when to alter the speed of the wipers, I decide when they are no longer needed. There is no danger to any other road users caused by this highly complex manouver, and my brain can easily handle the extra thought levels needed without shutting down or rebooting. I wonder how much Research and Developement costs went into developing a system to replace the effort expended by me in using my brain/finger combination to achieve the task of turning on the wipers? I wonder how much to system costs in the car in terms of parts used/fitting? Put it this way - do they remove the manual controls from the car when they fit auto windscreen technology? No. Why? Because it doesn't always get it right, and occasionally you have to change the settings yourself. As I said..... don't get me started on Auto windscreen wipers!!!!!!

May 17th, 2003, 06:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 11:53 PM Posts: 3,759 Offline	Re: Re: Re: All well and good, but can we stick to the topic? Quote: Originally posted by dco43054 Probably some proverb out there about never pizzing off a MINI2 Moderator, but Bruce - I KNOW How to work the unit manually. I know how to turn it off and on, recirc off and on, fan speed, et.al. Unlike Forest Gump, I am a smart man.... .... Good thing you're not the least bit tense about any of this! + 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather + 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed

May 17th, 2003, 09:06 AM	#14 (permalink)
GBMINI MINI2 Master Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Gloucester, MA, USA Local Time: 01:53 AM Posts: 7,604 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by dco43054 The "MINI Complete Vehicle" reference is not ringing any bells. Is that in MINI2, or someplace else? Thanks, Dave Dave, It is an expensive spiral bound book - used by USA MINI techs for training I think. Go here then click on the "purchase materials" link; on the new page click on the "CD" link, then look for ST-044. There probably is a UK equivalent somewhere ... BTW: Not worth the $95 unless you are a fanatic Ian C. Gloucester, MA, USA (UK expat) driving GPMINI and Convertible GBMINI#6

May 17th, 2003, 09:12 AM	#15 (permalink)
GBMINI MINI2 Master Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Gloucester, MA, USA Local Time: 01:53 AM Posts: 7,604 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Tonyt3* I wonder how much to system costs in the car in terms of parts used/fitting? In USA, you pay $140 for the auto wipers and the dimming mirror, so I don't think the auto wipers add much cost to the car ... my previous MC did not have them, and I had only one choice of intermittent wiper speed. Not always the correct speed. Now, I have "infinite" choice - maybe not quite MY infinite choice, but pretty close ... Try driving in light rain (if that happens in UK), then closing the gap on another vehicle - I love the way the wipers speed up on their own. Then go into a tunnel, and admire how they just stop It is the little things that please us! PS: UK ex-pat, so the weather reference is with some experience! Ian C. Gloucester, MA, USA (UK expat) driving GPMINI and Convertible GBMINI#6

May 17th, 2003, 07:07 PM	#16 (permalink)
dco43054 MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Local Time: 12:53 AM Posts: 662 Offline	Re: Re: Re: Re: All well and good, but can we stick to the topic? Quote: Originally posted by BruceK Good thing you're not the least bit tense about any of this! Nah Bruce, actually can be pretty laid back. Just wanted a nice focused theoretical discussion on a technical question.... Dave Gotten anything useful from MINI2? How about giving a little something back? '03 MCS BRG/W Anthracite Pkg 1,2,3

May 17th, 2003, 08:47 PM	#17 (permalink)
dco43054 MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Local Time: 12:53 AM Posts: 662 Offline	Thanks Ian! Thanks to Ian for some info he emailed on the systems. The short answer is that there seem to be two different airbox control setups used, as well as the different switch panels. The manual panel has no tie to the BC1, while the Auto panel does. Does not appear to be a simple swap, though I really wish that it was.... Regards all, Dave Gotten anything useful from MINI2? How about giving a little something back? '03 MCS BRG/W Anthracite Pkg 1,2,3

May 18th, 2003, 12:32 AM	#18 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 11:53 PM Posts: 3,759 Offline	Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: All well and good, but can we stick to the topic? Quote: Originally posted by dco43054 Nah Bruce, actually can be pretty laid back. Just wanted a nice focused theoretical discussion on a technical question.... Dave Have you ever seen a thread stay focused on a single topic? (let alone a technical one?!) + 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather + 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed

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