Aircon to Climate control swap on a 987.1, is it possible ?

[The_Voices1]

I have searched several forums and still cannot find a definitive answer.

My car is a 2006 Cayman S, it has the sport chrono pack (not the sport chrono +), not got PASM or PSE features.

It has 'manual' air conditioning, with a digital display, so I have to set the fan speed and temperature and adjust both when needed.

All of my other cars have climate control, where once the desired temperature has been set, the car adjust the fan speed and air temperature automatically to maintain the target figure.

Some info I have read suggests that it is not as simple as just swapping the control panel, because cars with standard air con do not have all of the sensors required for 'climate' to work properly.

Alternative info says it will work on cars that don't have the sport chrono + pack / Porsche satellite navigation system ?

Some owners claim that they have simply swapped the HVAC control panel for one with auto climate, and it has worked without issues ?


This post dated from 2013, so couldn't get an answer from the original poster.

It is a bit ambiguous, ref the part I have highlighted in bold ?

Actually I did this on my 2006 and it works just fine. I purchased a used automatic climate control module on ebay (price was reasonable since the fan/temp switches were worn out). I removed the switches (see Article here) and sent them to StickyNoMore.com to be refinished. The thermostat is built into the module, so there are no other sensors. As noted above, you still have to use the switches to adjust the fan speed/temp setting, however, the refinished switches have a more durable coating than the original soft touch material.
However this earlier post from the same thread is what he is talking about:

You still need to use the fan speed switch to turn off the unit. Plus, you did not mention if you have a Boxster or Cayman. With my Boxster, I also crank the temp up when I have the top down on cold days, so you may still end up using the buttons.


Has anyone actually done this swap and was it successful ?

I don't want to waste the money buying a used climate control panel if it isn't going to work.

 

[Motorhead]

Hi,

Unfortunately I can’t give you a definitive answer to this but just to note that I have climate control on my 987.2 CS and I’m sure that the cabin temperature sensor is remote from the unit. I don’t know if this arrangement differs from that for the 987.1, although the post you referenced mentions a built-in thermostat.

Anecdotally, I’ve never understood why Porsche have never fitted climate control as standard on these cars, even the top-of-the-range GTS/GT4. It’s supposed to be a premium car, so why give it an aircon control system that you’d find in a bog-standard Fiesta? Absolutely ridiculous!

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

I agree Jeff, although it did become standard fitment on all Cayman and Boxster models two or three years go.....

 

[The_Voices1]

I was very surprised to find that it had aircon with a digital display but not 'real' climate control (prior to purchase)

Porsche however do seem to have a reputation for selling you a car that needs another 10-20% spending on 'extras', that other premium brands have as standard !

The cost to try it with a used control unit from Ebay isn't ridiculous (maybe under £200 ?), but I know if it didn't work, I couldn't be bothered to re-sell it !

 

[malarcy]

The climate control unit has the cabin temp sensor as part of it (it’s behind the little grill in the middle of the buttons). Non climate cars only have this if they have heated seats (there’s an ambient temp range in which the seats will operate that’s measured from the cabin temp sensor )

There are also other sensors. Don’t know how many of those a non climate car will have.

In additional to the outside air temp there’s another on the “heater box” that measures the incoming air temp.

There’s a sensor (possible light possibly temp as well) in the centre of the dash in the little binnacle near the screen.

I would expect there to be coding needed to activate it and the suggestion the you still need to work the fans manually suggests that it’s not quite plug and play.

I would suggest you may get a better idea if you can get the Porsche pet parts list ( they have removed 987 onwards from the official site weirdly - but I imagine they are available online somewhere ) then find the option number for climate and search the docs for parts that are only listed for that PR (option) number. You will get a view of things that are in “climate” cars only.

 

[Motorhead]

I agree Jeff, although it did become standard fitment on all Cayman and Boxster models two or three years go.....

It’s standard on the 718 RS models Dave, but an option on the other cars … and as far as I know on the GT4 and Spyder when they were available from what I’ve seen. See Comfort & usability on the Porsche Configurator.

Some progress at least - if very late in the day! - and you’d have thought that with 718 production ending next month Porsche would have fitted it to the GTS models at least. Keen to grab the extra £593 no doubt!

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

I stand corrected - thanks Jeff! I thought it was across all models.

As you were then - yes, it's rubbish that it's a cost option!

 

[Motorhead]

I seem to recall that it’s been a recurring subject over the years Dave. I can’t understand why anyone spending £80k+ on a GTS/GT4 in particular wouldn’t spec the option, and I’ve seen a surprisingly large number of those cars without it.

I think we’re of the same mind that some of the fault lies with the porsche sales force, many of whom don’t understand the difference between the basic aircon offering and climate control and instead guide the purchaser to other “essential” add-ons like embossed leather and glossy black bits.

Taking this to its logical conclusion, I wouldn’t be surprised if a heat pump will be on the options list on the upcoming electric Caymans and Boxsters, which I think I read won’t now be available until some time in 2026?

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

I think we've discussed this before Jeff, but you're right about the sales teams.

If I remember correctly, the option is called Dual Zone Climate Control with the key part being "Climate Control" not "Dual Zone". I think people don't spec it because they think the standard is a single zone climate system, when in fact it's just basic air conditioning as you know.

 

[Motorhead]

Yes, I’m sure that’s where the confusion lies Dave … even with the sales force! If that’s the case it doesn’t say much for their product knowledge though.

Jeff