Eunos Air Con

Does anyone know where I can get an A/C fan switch? Mine is set with a UK switch which I have to take off so I can push the stalk to activate the A/C. Is there a UK switch for A/C and can I get one without the Mazda dealer waving anti Eunos crucifixes and garlic at me? (11/99)

There should be a UK air con switch available - it was a UK option from the start. But why not contact Jay Ng (Powerdrift) - and for UK spec owners - Roadster parts fit UK spec cars as well you know! And Jay doesn't charge Mazda UK prices :-) (11/99)

Or look on miata.net - especially Roebuck Mazda and Finish Line Performance - buying parts from them (even with post and sometimes duty) is often cheaper than buying the same part from Mazda UK. One day, MCL will see sense - maybe! (11/99)

Is it possible to turn off the air con but leave the fan working. I have tries to push in the button in the middle of the switch but the air con stays on? (12/99)

Yes. You should be able to use the fan without the a/c on. When working a blue light will illuminate to identify this. It sounds like you may have a faulty switch. try Jay Ng at powerdrift. (12/99)

The air con should be on with the switch pushed in, off with it out (which you achieve by pushing it in a bit). It's independent of the fan. There's a (very dim) blue warning light under the switch when it's on. (12/99)

The fan (technically "blower") is independent of the air conditioning. Pressing in the button should turn on the blue light and you should hear, feel (and see if you look) the a/c compressor engaging. If your blue light is stuck on you need a new a/c switch or to do a cunning repair job. If your blue light doesn't come on (and the compressor doesn't engage) then most likely your need the a/c recharging.

I have swapped the central heat/cool controller and electrically this is easy. But the vents are opened and closed by wires in tubes (like bike brakes) and these are fiddly. An in-situ switch repair might be easier. I can't recall if the cables detach at the controller end but we didn't detach them and there must have been a reason. (12/99)

When the middle switch is out, the aircon should be off. If not you have a defective switch (12/99)

Thanks for the e mails received...I have found a second hand switch but wonder if the whole centre console needs to come out to fit it or can you get to it via a side trim panel or radio panel (12/99)

Sadly it isn't that easy. You need to remove the centre armrest by removing the screws under the ashtray, in the storage box and a couple at the front, then you need to unscrew the gearstick and move the unit to one side. I don't bother disconnecting wires and just throw the armrest on the passenger seat, but for this job you might want to pull the window switch connectors and the connector for the ashtray light.

You then need to pull out the eyeball vents. I use a stiff metal rod with a hook bent on the end. They need a *serious* pull! Once these are out you can remove the screws behind and above them. I *think* this then frees the centre console. I've pulled mine off a few times but can't remember if there are any more screws. No more hidden ones anyway!

At this stage your radio might get in the way unless you slide it free first. I left my radio fitted and just moved the console back a few inches.

The heater panel is fastened by 2 or 4 screws at its edges. You can undo these and ease it back to see what you're doing. The electrical connectors are easy to remove but the cables in tubes (belden?) need unhooking under the dash and numerous clips removing. Taking out the heater control unit complete with cables is fiddly and uncomfortable but not rocket science. I managed it! Hopefully removing the whole unit won't be required and you'll have enough slack to operate on the switch. (12/99)

Sorry, there's no easy way. Remove the centre console between the seats (most screws obvious), remove the centre dash section (eyeball vents must come out - prise them VERY carefully with the protected tip of an electrical screwdriver - the surround marks easily if you don't protect carefully). A screw at the top of each vent hole, other screws at the bottom of the dash section.

I haven't done the next bit, but I think you'll need to remove the wire links to the heater slider controls, then you'll be able to remove the heater controls panel to replace the air con/blower switch.

Fairly straightforward but time consuming! (12/99)

There are 3 more screws holding on the front console other than the 2 behind the eye ball vents, these are obvious as 1 each side at the bottom and one on the left front at the bottom (which is hidden by the centre console before removal). If you disconnect the popup switch plug then remember to plug it back as it is $"$*&( annoying if you forget as once you have turned the headlamps on they do not go down again although dont stay lit ! (12/99)

The connector is for popups and hazards. I tried to lift my lights to clean the car on the morning of Billing (after installing air conditioning the day before). I timed myself at removing armrest, vents and centre console. I got everything to bits and back together inside 10 minutes but had had a fair amount of practice the day before! (12/99)

There might be enough slack. If there isn't the ends of the wires have loops that go around studs to work the various flaps. The wires are then clipped at various points. Once you get upside down with your head in both footwells it all makes sense. (12/99)

Come to think about it - actually the knobs for the slider controls should pull off (they need a firm pull) - then you should be able to remove the controls panel without disconnecting anything - just undo the screws. (12/99)

To get the heater controls out you need to remove the glove box and the panel under the steering column, each side of the heater assembly has a control wire, one for the temperature (right side) and the other for the airflow position (left) and the fresh air control wire goes across to the far left side of the car. The best way to find them is move the controls while looking, its quite awkward to get them out as they are quite stiff and resist bending (its harder to get them back in) I replaced all the bulbs in the panel at the same time as sods law says that a week after putting it back together a bulb will blow ;-) Its all fiddly - not very technical. (12/99)