280z Climate Control Mechanism Restoration

Hey guys, this was my take at restoring my old climate control box. Hopefully it helps someone in the future in case they didn't take good photos:) This is on a 77 280z. I am not sure if all years are the same.

My module was really sticky, which was presumably caused by rust and lack of lubrication, so I went the extra mile and redid everything so as to never have to touch this box again.

Here is the start take note that I swept every lever to the left so that everything is in sync. The module is upside down.

Next is a close up photo of the Hot/Cold switch. It is held on by a pressure washer and snap ring. There is a black mechanism with a spring and ball bearing inside pressed against it. MAKE SURE NOT TO LOOSE THESE! The spring can cause the ball bearing to fly out and dissapear when removing, be careful. Although not in this photo, the Hot/Cold switch is connected to a mechanical wire that travels to the heater valve.

The fan switch is removed by removing the nut that holds the black gear on, and two screws on the side of the module. You can then remove the arm by removing the pressure washer and ring. 

Torwards the rear on this side another pressure washer and snap ring are clipped (holds two halves of the module in place) you can also see the two screws to remove the vacuum selector valve. I will not cover how to rebuild this valve, however to do it you just need to pop it apart and put vacuum grease on the inside so it seals. Very simple mechanism.

Here is the top side of the module. Take note of the relationship between the throm arm gear and the vacuum selection switch. This is its relationship with the throw arm pushed all the way left.

Unscrew the two screws that hold the control module halves together. You can see them in my first photo. 

It pops off and you can see the two black spring tabs that hold it together with the metal spacers (0ne is missing from this photo). Take note of the coors in the background and follow suite.

Here is a good view of the throw arm mechanism for the selector switch once the half is removed. The arm is attached by a snap ring and pressure washer. Although not in this photo, below the arm is also a plastic circular spacer. It is easy to forget during reassembly, but don't.

The black arm also has a tab that controls the plastic throw arm. This plastic arm can crack, so if it is just fill it with epoxy or other strong glue.

remove this arm, the plastic peice, and then unscrew the spring loaded pressurre tab from the arm making sure not to loose the spring and ball bearing.

 

Next, Just remove the fan switch and its correlating electrical thing if you haven't already (sorry mine worked perfect before removal so I did not research its proper name.

Simple as that. I then proceeded to powder coat all my parts and get new matching hardware. I found Misumi to be a good source for hard to find hardware that matches the original. Ace hardware didn't make the cut, haha. If you wan't you can also go more OEM and plate the parts, but I wanted a more permanent solution.... hopefully.

Reassembly is just the reverse of this! Here are some helpful photos. Make sure to grease any areas the control arms pivot on.

 

 

If you want a guide on how to restore the HVAC plastic faceplate a guide to do that is here (done on the radio bezel). Same principles apply.

At some point in the future I will post heater and AC box restorations, and I will cover how this module connects to everything else then:)

Edited July 14, 20231 yr by ckurtz2