What's behind the passenger kick panel under the dash?

I am curious what's behind that black piece of plastic that is right above the passenger's toes in a third gen. I opened it up and saw a black box but wasn't sure if it was just an empty compartment or if it was a vent, etc. Does anyone know whats under there? I need room for some more electronics... Thanks!!!

I am curious what's behind that black piece of plastic that is right above the passenger's toes in a third gen. I opened it up and saw a black box but wasn't sure if it was just an empty compartment or if it was a vent, etc. Does anyone know whats under there? I need room for some more electronics... Thanks!!!

Right behind the plastic kick panel is your HVAC ducting, including the heater box. Right above the kick panel and immediately behind the map pocket is the ECM.

The heater core is up there somewhere too. There is some extra room under the console.

A bunch of wiring goes through a connector to the inside of the fender. I'm not sure of all the wiring but I know the antenna and power wires for a power antenna are some of them. Not all the engine compartment wiring comes into the car at the fuse panel area.

Thanks guys, I guess my nintendo will have to find a different home.

Don't rice out your camaro :)

A bunch of wiring goes through a connector to the inside of the fender. I'm not sure of all the wiring but I know the antenna and power wires for a power antenna are some of them. Not all the engine compartment wiring comes into the car at the fuse panel area.

That wiring you are writing about is the harness to your car's engine control module: It's the harness that not only runs the injectors, and reads your engine sensors, but also controls the transmission.

There really isnt much room under the dash in that section for anything. However, if you have an auto transmission, you may very well be able to find a four inch by eight inch by two inch tall section underneath the driver's dash, directly above the fuse box, to the left of the steeing column, immediately underneath the drip panel. That's where I had my Crane Hi-6 ignition hidden for close to eight years.

--drb

I thought that the tranny was all mechanical in thirdgens, isn't that what the TV (or whatever it is) cable is for?

No, the transmission is mostly mechanical but does contain a couple of switches and at least one solenoid. The TV detent cable is used to assist in sensing load on the transmission and for adjusting line pressure for shift firmness as well as adjust the shift points.

The computer receives a telltale signal of when the transmission is in 4th gear and (I think maybe) reverse. In return, the computer can energize a solenoid in the transmission that forces the torque converter to lock up its clutch during cruise operations. That's why you cannot just simply rip out the computer and expect to have decent operation of the powertrain: The computer controls that clutch. Without it, you reduce the efficiency of the transmission.