Boxster AC Hack

[insite]

I remember that there's a sequence of buttons on the AC controller that trigger diagnostic readouts on the AC unit. Does anyone remember which buttons to press and what the readouts are? thanks.

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insite

[Loren]

Here is what someone sent me (quite a while ago). I haven't tried everything but most of it seems correct.

The AC Climatronic unit is actually manufactured by Audi.  There is some sort of serial data stream or CAN interface that allows the AC unit to display engine parameters.  This works on 97-00 boxsters.  Here is a list of what can be seen:

To switch from F to C:

Hold down the recirculating button then push both the temperature + - buttons.

To access diagnostics:

Hold down the Recirculating & Air up buttons for 5 seconds.  The + - buttons go up and down through the list of "c" codes.  The center vent button switches the left display between the "c" code and its actual value.  Press the Auto button to exit.

0c - ERL

1c - Oil Temp?

2c - Inside temp. Sensor mounted in the aspirator assembly at the side of the dash.

3c - Outside temp.  Sensor located inside the air inlet of the A/C unit.

4c - Outside temp.  Sensor located in front grill of the radiator. The data is fed to the Climatronic from the instrument cluster.  When not moving, the instrument cluster OBC temp display retains it's last setting until moving. This is to prevent heat emanating from the radiator affecting the temp. sensor. The A/C unit uses the lower of the two outside air temp values in determining fresh-air temp.

5c - Outside temp. (matches with OBC outside temp display)

6c - Coolant temp.

7c - Footwell discharge temp.

8c - Sun sensor (dash top)

9c - Sun sensor.

10c - Passenger compartment fan speed.

11c - Passenger compartment fan voltage.

12c - Temperature mix Flap command 1=COLD, 100=HOT

13c - Temperature mix Flap position

14c - Central Flap command

15c - Central Flap position

16c - Footwell/Defrost Flap command

17c - Footwell/Defrost Flap position

18c - Recirculation Valve command 1=OFF, 100=RECIRC

19c - Recirculation Valve position (feedback)

20c - Vehicle speed in kph, updating only once per second. (real speed, not speed+safety margin as in the speedometer)

21c - Engine RPM in hundreds.  This too only updates once per second.

22c - ?

23c - ?

24c - Sun sensor, exterior lights switch & panel lights control (term. 58 & 58d voltage) - used for A/C panel display illum.

25c - ?

26c - ?

27c - ?

28c - Fan speed?

29c - ?

30c - Engine run time in seconds (255 max.)(=0xff)

31c - Timing counter

32c - Displays test

33c - Software version?  Mine states 3.4

34c - ?

35c - Outside temp. from inlet sensor (filtered?)

36c - temp?

[tscl]

I have a 2001 S and I tried it anyway but it did not work. So are there any hacks for the 2001.

Thanks

Darryl

[Loren]

I have a 2001 S and I tried it anyway but it did not work.  So are there any hacks for the 2001.

Thanks

Darryl

Try the process here.

[joee]

Very interesting and helpful. This worked on our '98 986. Either approach did not work on our '02 996. Since the 996 came with the computer built in I wonder if this is done through the computer. I could not get anything to work. Anyone got any ideas or info.

Thanks again to Loren!!!

[insite]

Thanks, guys. Doing some 'testing' on air intake mods and the AC data complements the OBD data. All best.

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insite