Opposite of the usual question: Heater Controls

[dwsiddall]

I have two Avalanches.  Both 2005.  One is a donor vehicle and is used as a "yard truck" and cannot be driven on the road due to a rusty frame.

The other Avalanche is a sweet ride.  I will keep it pristine using parts from the donor vehicle.

To my question:  My good Avalanche has the digital heater controls.  I like the simpler manual controls.  I don't see why I can't pull the digital control and swap in the regular control.  Their functionality is identical.  They are both dual zone and they have all the exact same functions (temp, fan speed, a/c, rear defrost, etc).

But I do notice that while on the back the left wire clip is the same, the one on the right is different.  Why would they do this? 

Anyone have any idea what would be involved in doing this.  I am not afraid to take the dash apart.  (I know most people ask the opposite question, to go from manual controls to digital.)

PS:  I would also need to replace the lights in the manual controls behind the temp sliders.  I understand they are soldered in.  I am not daunted by that, but just wonder if there is a video showing someone doing that for reference.

-Daniel

 

[ckeene]

I also would like to swap to the manual controls in my Avalanche . Hopefully someone with experience will chime in .

 

[buickwagon]

There are other differences too. For example, the manual system uses a resistor pack to control blower motor voltage, but the automatic system uses an electronic blower motor control module. That's not going to be plug-and-play, since the module has power at all times but the resistor pack gets power from the control.

 

[dna9656]

"The more they over think the plumbing the easier it is to stop the works"
Captain Montgomery Scott
Captain of Engineering
Enterprise 1701 B
Star Fleet.
UFP

My '71 C-10 pick up had a wire in sheath control for the heater, the handles broke (pot metal) if you didn't keep the cable lubed but you sure change the &^#$* light bulb without a solder gun!