Hi All,

I won an Ebay auction for a new HVAC control unit to replace the one in my 997.1 Carrera, because the temp and fan ***** were hopelessly worn and looked awful. I knew I wouldn't be happy with the "stickynomore" solution, so a new unit was called for. I think I am pretty clear on installation, but will I need to have it programmed at the dealer in order for it to work? I hope not - I'd really like this to be plug and play.

Thanks for your knowledge!

Pete

 

Your just replacing an existing "dumb" switch vs adding so I would not think any programming is needed.
It's only cosmetics.

 

For an inexpensive solution see here...
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...l-buttons.html

 

He said he wouldn't be happy with that solution.

If the replacement unit is exactly the same as the original one, you won't need PIWIS.

 

Replacing the unit will require PIWIS. Sorry about that.
Now, what you could do is to remove the switches from the one you got at ebay and replace your old ones, keeping your original unit.

 

That's true, Joel... I had thought about that, but then imagined that taking the unit apart to get at the buttons would be too much fuss - is it not? That would obviate the need for PIWIS, which would be nice. I suppose i could simply try the new unit in the car and if it works, it works. If not I could try to figure out how to swap the buttons... Maybe there's a DIY out there somewhere???

Thanks!

Pete

 

It's not that difficult as I did it twice. In fact it's really easy in your case. See your unit with the circuit board stay the same. You need to take 4 exterior screws to pop the front face from the unit and then you take aprox 3 torx screws to separate the circuit board/LCD screen from the actual panel with the buttons/switches and swap that panel into your unit. There is no need to take each button/switch from one to the other.
I have to do that in my case because I got the panel painted... I was a labor intensive because of the tiny small parts from each switch... but you don't have to do that...
If you decide to go that route, let me know... I have the old unit and I can take pictures to walk you thru the process...

 

Joe

Are we talking about the same component? The unit belowPCM and above the PASM buttons? I do not recall using PIWIS to swap this out.

 

Yep, you need PIWIS for sure...

 

Can be done with Durametric Pro too. Use the backup coding feature, remove old unit, install new unit, and then restore. I replaced mine without a dealer trip & PIWIS.

 

Last two posts were excellent fellas.

I brought up the PIWIS question as I had swapped out my unit on my old 997TT - and did not own my own PIWIS unit at the time. I must have used Durametric, although I'm not sure if the coding program was available back then. Regardless, good posts fellas.

 

Wow, great info gentlemen!

Since I don't own a Durametric cable and don't want to pay the dealer's confiscatory rates, I think I'll follow Joel's suggestion and change the face plate instead. It doesn't sound too bad, even for a ham-fisted wrench like me, as long as I can source the appropriate torx drivers.

Thank you!

Pete

 

let me know when you get to it, if you need any help

 

Thanks Joel! Will do. Keepin' those Fisters in mind, too!

Pete