Center console faceplate
 

Does anyone know how to remove the center console faceplate? I want to disconnect the airconditioning from the defrost knob. Actually, that leads me to my next question: Can the A/C be disconnected from the de-fog selector switch?
Thanks

to the first question:
The 'center console' around the radio and A/C controls in kept in place with several clips, nothing else. simply get something and pry it off. keep in mind that if you use a screw driver or something hard, and pry too hard, it will dent and f-up your dash. what i suggest is either getting a screw driver and wrapping it with a paper towel (a few layers), or using something softer.

just push it underneath, and start prying from all sides, and then it will pop out! :D

the second question:
i dunno about your pro, but in mine there is a button to turn off the A/C. i usually just press the button and turn it off when i need the defrost on.

the direction controller (where you pick defrost, foot and head air, etc) is not electrical. rather, it's a nob that turns a wire, which then turns a plastic gear, which switches where the air goes. if you were going to add something to that, it would have to be to the nob, and would be more of a headache than you'd be willing to do. :rolleyes:

but in the odd occurance that you really would want to do something like that (and i really really wouldn't), i would run a wire from the A/C button and connect it in series with each of the selections on the defrost nob that you want it to work on. on the others, i wouldnt. then, in essence, you would not ever use the A/C button again.

now, if you wanted to make it so that the defrost nob will turn the A/C off, even if it is selected, then you would have to connect an interior switch to that selection. making it cut the series when selected, and allow current to pass when not selected. keep in mind that you would have to make a sort of pressure switch, which is a piece of metal that allows current to run when pressed, and does not when depressed, for each selection... i would make you a diagram and instructions.. but im hoping with all the crap that ive written, youve lost interest. :rolleyes: :o

and by disconnected, i assume you mean 'turned off':rolleyes::p

soh554, when you select floor, floor/defrost, and defrost the A/C is automatically turned on and can't be turned off. He is asking how to make it so its only on when the A/C button is on.

Treetop flyer, if you do a search you will find the answer. I believe it requires de-soldering a few wires.

OHH! well, in that case, I would think you could simply desolder the wire coming from the actual nob.

what yr is ur pro? mine doesnt force the a/c on (i dont believe). mine is a 2k2 pro lx.

weird.

Thanks guys. I did do a search (guess I could have done that first..) and found some good info.
I am driving a 2002 P5.
Looks like too much of a pain in the butt to do. I am just too lazy in this bloody cold weather.
Cheers!

actually, I think you will find that it does. Some time when you have some spare time, pop the hood and see if the AC compressor is engaged when you have the knob in the defrost, defrost/floor, or floor positions and the switch for the AC set of off. The compressor will cycle on and off as the system runs.

I did not believe it either, until I tried it....

Are you serious?! wow.. gotta love mazda! :D :rolleyes: what's the sense of having it set up like that? usually, when i turn on the defrost, i intend for the air to be warm... soo... the a/c... doesnt fit into my equation :( :p hehe.. ohh well. just another weird mazda thing to add to the books.

When you set it on defrost, the A/C is not to cool the air... it´s to remove the humidity so it will clear your windshield faster. That´s why it helps to have the A/C on when you set it on defrost.

actually, the only "odd" position is the floor only one, the defrost ones with the A/C on automatically is pretty common in a lot of cars (at least in the Chevy, Subaru, Mitsubishi cars I have had).

-JB

so, there is no easy way to disconnect the ac from the defrost?

Except the Desoldering NO

BLAH! hehe, you learn something new everyday.

I've always found that my windshield defrost better when I have the AC on rather than off.

Yeah I heard that the floor position one was just to insure that it gets used a little during the winter to keep things in the A/C circulating.

I think it is annoying. You should be able to overide it. I hate how it hurts gas mileage when you forget to take it off defrost, or when your feet are cold.

I would have the A/C optional rather automatically comes on
You know, in the winter, I am wasting fuel and gas isn't cheap
$1.59 per gallon, f-ing gas prices are crazy