As the title states, I installed an A/C delete box and wonder what everyone would do with the extra wires.
I am in the process of re-looming the engine compartment and would like to keep things as neat as possible.
Would you;
1: Cut wires at C100 leaving enough to identify colors?
2: Unpin at C100 and save harness parts using the Metri-Pack removal tool?
3: Wrap them up and hide them?
I have already deleted the ecm harness

 

Great question as I will be doing the same. Watching.

 

Just tuck them away so they are not noticeable. Dont cut if you dont have too.

 

the AC harness is separate. you can remove it completely leaving only the power leads where it connects to the main harness can be tucked away.

If you need the ventilation and heat best to swap the control head and associated harness in.

 

2.

 

got my eye out for one naf
doesn't the a/c harness run through the firewall right behind the engine?

 

Yes, wires for AC relay and lower fan speeds come out the firewall behind engine. The fan 'high speed' is a different circuit and powered from a fusible link in the engine bay.

I would just leave the AC relay wires there in case you ever put AC back in the car. Sometimes ideas like removing AC don't seem too smart with a little hindsight.

 

You've either got to 'Go all the way" or go "just far enough".

My advise;

Remove the AC box and install the non-AC box.

Leave all wiring as is.

Plug Power and ground into the non-AC box, tuck the extra plugs behind the engine (away from heat ) and ZIP Tie them out of sight,..... Done.

The "resistors" on the AC box and the AC controller has 4 speeds. The non-AC controller uses 3 resistors on the box and has only 3 speeds. So; pull the resister pack off the AC Box and screw it in place on the non-AC box and keep using the AC controller for simplicity - ( and 4 speeds over 3 ! )




The (82-89) Non-AC controller uses cables to control air flow. The non-AC controller uses vacuum. ( AKA NOT compatible ! ) If you install a (82-89) non-AC Controller the only way to get air directed to the vents or the floor again is to install the cables and to install the proper ( non-AC version of the ) internal heater Core Box.

90-92 Non-AC controllers did use vacuum to control air flow, so you could use one of those to control the air flow in your 86 - without swapping the heater core box - as long as you don't mind the yellow text.

I've got a 82-86 non-AC controller, Cables and Heater Core Box I can sell Ya' so if you really want to do that just let me know if you need the parts. ( got some outside air vents/cables/trim too ) The point of my message here is - Why Bother ?? Use the AC resistors, AC Wiring, and AC controller so you can enjoy that mod & move onto other upgrades.

 

Thanks John in RI. Your way makes sense for me, because I will be using the non-A/C fiberglass conversion box I got from ebay that allows you to use your larger A/C blower motor and squirrel cage.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/82-92-Third...hQ6fur&vxp=mtr

 

Ideal !

Curious to know how those boxes fit/mount/seal. I'd be interested to read up on how the swap goes for you. I'll be watching for your upgrade thread !

 

my experience must be with the later non-ac units. I do not recall seeing a cable controlled ventilation system.

cool

 

Yep , either tuck em out of the way ,

Or completely unplug & save the intact harness for possible future use . The future is a funny thing , no one's been able to 100% accurately predict it thus far , and there IS the outside possibility that you (or your heirs to the car) may want to put the AC back one day . Remember , cut wires are kinda like virginity , once either the cherry is popped or the wires are cut , there's NO going back

 

Thanks John in RI!
That is exactly the information I needed
I don't really want to change out the heat control box, your tip about using a 90/92 head unit is the plan I'm going to follow

 

My eBay ac delete box looked very nice, fit and sealed perfectly fwiw

 

This is the control head I got off of evilbay
Looks like it's missing some linkage between the heat/cool (etc) lever and the switch?
Does anyone have a pic of a complete unit?
Hoping I can scavenge what I need from my A/C controller (I'll be pulling it tomorrow)

 

pic didn't load

 

Take a look at these pics:





This is an AC controller from an 85 or 86 Firebird. Do not concern yourself with the Lighting,..... just unscrew the original bulb socket and install it in the replacement controller. ( firebird lighting is different than Camaro. )

Purple circle = Blower switch, remove it from the original and install it in the replacement.

Yellow circle shows the where the AC vacuum for the 87+ diverter valve WOULD BE. Your 86 doesn't have this - not needed. ( pretty sure the diverter started in 87. )

Red circles show where to hook your existing cable to the replacement controller and where to insert the black cable retaining clip. ( the black plastic clip on the cable retaining tab is broken in this pic)

Green circles show the screws or - speed "clips" - are that need to be removed from the replacement so the vacuum plug can be removed and the original installed in it's place. be acrefull with this thing - a vacuum leak in this "disk" will cause the controller to HISS due to vacuum leaking !

Now you should be G-T-G !

 

Dude,
Thanks for getting me out of the weeds!

I'd hope there would be replacement vacuum plugs available somewhere...
More wiring adventures to come!