A/C mode switch fix [Archive] - DMCTalk Forum

mburshtain

07-30-2014, 03:44 PM

Hey Guys,
I getting some hissing noises from my and the A/C mode switch and lately it's not working at all.
Do we have a how-to for repairing the A/C mode switch? :hmm:

vps3922

07-30-2014, 03:58 PM

Hey Guys,
I getting some hissing noises from my and the A/C mode switch and lately it's not working at all.
Do we have a how-to for repairing the A/C mode switch? :hmm:

Is the octupus tightly fitted to the switch housing? I recently pulled it off when putting in my radio after adding an AUX IN. It was hissing and not working. I had to take everything apart again and saw that I had pulled the octopus (rubber mode switch plug with all hoses connected) off the switch housing.

Josh

07-30-2014, 05:07 PM

Instructions come with the mode switch rebuild kit.

mburshtain

07-30-2014, 05:47 PM

Instructions come with the mode switch rebuild kit.

Thanks Josh,
Is there any way to confirm I need the rebuild kit before ordering it? If it's not an octopus hose issue, I would like to take it apart and confirm I need to buy the rebuild kit.

Josh

07-30-2014, 07:04 PM

Thanks Josh,
Is there any way to confirm I need the rebuild kit before ordering it? If it's not an octopus hose issue, I would like to take it apart and confirm I need to buy the rebuild kit.

If its not an issue with the hoses (and/or the octopus) then it is most likely the switch itself. I'd rebuild it anyway its 30 year old rubber. Seems like a waste of time to pull it all apart to look at it.

mburshtain

07-30-2014, 07:11 PM

If its not an issue with the hoses (and/or the octopus) then it is most likely the switch itself. I'd rebuild it anyway its 30 year old rubber. Seems like a waste of time to pull it all apart to look at it.

Good advice, much appreciated.
Do you know if the instruction are available online? if not I guess I'll buy the kit and find out...

SS Spoiler

07-30-2014, 07:15 PM

Josh

07-30-2014, 07:32 PM

One of the first things I did on my car was to tear into the mode switch. Took it apart, smeared the inside with Vaseline,
reassembled. Working fine for twenty five years now.......

Paul Cerny #2691
Kalispell, MT

Preventative maintenance at its finest! Its been well lubricated over the last 25 years, but most arent so the rubber is dried out and worn.

No instructions that I could find. However i came across a video steve made.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=358qaLbb-Sc

djdogbone

07-30-2014, 08:10 PM

Longest 15 minutes of my life but informative link nonetheless

DMCMW Dave

07-30-2014, 08:26 PM

One of the first things I did on my car was to tear into the mode switch. Took it apart, smeared the inside with Vaseline,
reassembled. Working fine for twenty five years now.......

Paul Cerny #2691
Kalispell, MT

I did that on my personal car when I bought it in 1997 and it still works the fine. It was hissing before I did the job. That is also what we do when rebuild the switches here - if the rubber looks good and the pins on the back are not torn off, we grease the rubber seal and put it back together.

If you turn the switch and the vents don't change mode (i.e. air comes out the center vents no matter where you set it) then it's a sure thing that the pins tore off the rubber part and you will need the kit.

acaciolo

07-30-2014, 09:51 PM

what is the preferred "lube" for the mode switch? silicone?

Delorean Industries

07-30-2014, 09:52 PM

what is the preferred "lube" for the mode switch? silicone?

very light coating only on the contact surface. Other wise it will plug up with dust.

NightFlyer

07-31-2014, 03:48 AM

If you turn the switch and the vents don't change mode (i.e. air comes out the center vents no matter where you set it) then it's a sure thing that the pins tore off the rubber part and you will need the kit.

The little rubber nubs/pins were all tore off on mine, so I ordered the kit (as you know). While waiting for it to arrive, I decided to try merely gluing my original piece to the backing plate. Still working just fine to this day, and I have the kit on the shelf as a backup should I ever require it :thumbup:

Delorean Industries

07-31-2014, 09:16 AM

The little rubber nubs/pins were all tore off on mine, so I ordered the kit (as you know). While waiting for it to arrive, I decided to try merely gluing my original piece to the backing plate. Still working just fine to this day, and I have the kit on the shelf as a backup should I ever require it :thumbup:

I"m going to find a company that can reprocess your current clutch, transmission and any other fluids that are "Factory". I think it is time you take this to the next level.

Josh

07-31-2014, 10:57 AM

I"m going to find a company that can reprocess your current clutch, transmission and any other fluids that are "Factory". I think it is time you take this to the next level.

Lol. Dont forget the v-belts!

alexwolf1216

07-31-2014, 01:41 PM

I"m going to find a company that can reprocess your current clutch, transmission and any other fluids that are "Factory". I think it is time you take this to the next level.

But, hes got LED tailights! :reading:

NightFlyer

07-31-2014, 05:52 PM

I"m going to find a company that can reprocess your current clutch, transmission and any other fluids that are "Factory". I think it is time you take this to the next level.

About time someone got serious about filling this void in the DeLorean market :wink:

Lol. Dont forget the v-belts!

Also can't forget the coolant hoses :biggrin:

But, hes got LED tailights! :reading:

I am. Only reason I did this was to lowering the draw on my system, as I'm still running the already taxed to the max Ducellier alternator. Bulbs are fairly easy to change over though, when the situation warrants such :smile:

mburshtain

08-22-2014, 10:06 PM

Jonathan

08-22-2014, 10:14 PM

Okay, now I have a different issue.
Today I received the "mode switch repair kit" and installed it according to the instructions.
After I was done, I turned the cycle mode switch to MAX, I don't hear the hissing sound but the modes are not changing... :-(
Maybe something is wrong with vaccum hoses? from what I can they aren't loose...

Check fuse #10. It's a yellow 20 Amp. It feeds the mode switch as well as the door lock warning lamp. The lamp could be easy for you to tell if it blew while you were making repairs (which might be expected if you didn't disconnect the battery perhaps?). On your car does your door lock warning lamp remind you the doors aren't locked? I ask because my power door locks are disconnected and the warning light is always on. If yours used to be and now isn't, you blew the fuse. Put a replacement back in and I'll bet your mode switch comes to life again.

mburshtain

08-22-2014, 10:32 PM

Check fuse #10. It's a yellow 20 Amp. It feeds the mode switch as well as the door lock warning lamp. The lamp could be easy for you to tell if it blew while you were making repairs (which might be expected if you didn't disconnect the battery perhaps?). On your car does your door lock warning lamp remind you the doors aren't locked? I ask because my power door locks are disconnected and the warning light is always on. If yours used to be and now isn't, you blew the fuse. Put a replacement back in and I'll bet your mode switch comes to life again.

Thanks Jonathan, I was hoping you were right...
Fuse is okay and maybe I should have added that I do hear the switch reaching the different positions but the flaps keeping venting the windows... no matter what I do...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTvNKxf4P3Y&feature=em-upload_owner

Jonathan

08-22-2014, 11:27 PM

Thanks Jonathan, I was hoping you were right...
Fuse is okay and maybe I should have added that I do hear the switch reaching the different positions but the flaps keeping venting the windows... no matter what I do...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTvNKxf4P3Y&feature=em-upload_owner

The part where you mention the same vents getting the air regardless of what the mode switch is doing makes me think the little lever arm came off it's notch. It's what basically opens the divider piece that diverts the air one place or another.

I had been under the impression it would be easy to see on here:

http://store.delorean.com/c-302-7-1-1-heater.aspx

But now that I look at it, I'm not sure. Maybe I'm just tired, but I would have normally said it was part #23 but when looking at the thumbnail, it might be part #3 perhaps. You can see it in reality if you peer in behind the console from the passenger footwell. It will be about the height of the radio or upper vents and connected to the box just back in and beyond the edge of the glovebox insert. Not sure if that description is helping, but however you find it, it does sound like the linkage that flips the divider for the air isn't properly connected anymore.

mburshtain

08-23-2014, 12:35 PM

The part where you mention the same vents getting the air regardless of what the mode switch is doing makes me think the little lever arm came off it's notch. It's what basically opens the divider piece that diverts the air one place or another.

I had been under the impression it would be easy to see on here:

http://store.delorean.com/c-302-7-1-1-heater.aspx

But now that I look at it, I'm not sure. Maybe I'm just tired, but I would have normally said it was part #23 but when looking at the thumbnail, it might be part #3 perhaps. You can see it in reality if you peer in behind the console from the passenger footwell. It will be about the height of the radio or upper vents and connected to the box just back in and beyond the edge of the glovebox insert. Not sure if that description is helping, but however you find it, it does sound like the linkage that flips the divider for the air isn't properly connected anymore.

Jonathan, could it be that you are referring to connector hose # 3 in the Electrical/Mechanical Controls diagram?

http://store.delorean.com/c-365-7-3-0-electricalmechanical-controls.aspx

In any case I can feel the suction from the octopus vacuum hoses. I am thinking of taking out the console at this point...

mburshtain

08-23-2014, 06:19 PM

I am checking the hoses if they are connected correctly.
See PDF attached.

mburshtain

08-23-2014, 08:17 PM

Well... everything looks good. All hoses are connected correctly. not sure what is the issue :-(

tom kish vin. 4357

08-23-2014, 09:49 PM

Hello, seen this thread and wanted to say I'm having the same problem with mine right now, got cold air, but only coming out the door vent. I can hear the mode switch work on the other settings but not on the center vents.

mburshtain

08-23-2014, 10:59 PM

Great news! I found the issue and it's my fault...
Okay, it's very important that you will put the two philips head screws holding the top part to the bottom part correctly.
See the following image.

In my case it was overturn.

Jonathan

12-30-2016, 02:18 PM

David T

12-30-2016, 03:54 PM

Does anyone have a PDF of the mode switch rebuild kit instructions that they could share (online or PM/email)?

I bought the kit and received it today and it didn't come with any instructions. Thanks.

Basically it is take the switch out, replace the rubber diaphragm, and then carefully reassemble in the opposite order. Be tender with the plastic parts and put the wires back in the same places on the switch. If you don't have the later plug style for the hoses note which hose goes where on the switch if you pull them off. If you look carefully each hose has a color stripe on it. Refer to Workshop Manual N:08:15-16