Since buying my LT1 Formula, one of the few things that I've really wished for was HVAC controls with lit ***** so I could see how they were set at night. I just don't understand how that could have been overlooked originally.

A while back I did some research on the parts and stuff to see if it would be possible to take the lit controls out of a 98-up Firebird or Trans-Am and install them into my 96 Formula. I saw that the controls looked almost identical (unlike Camaro which changed drastically from 1996 to 1997, so you'd have to change the WHOLE DASH to get the new controls), and it appeared to be a direct swap. The ***** themselves will NOT just move over and work because they changed the design of the control panel to allow for lit *****.

A guy I know totalled his 99 Trans-Am recently and I bought the controls from him. The swap wasn't just plug and play, but it was close, and most importantly, it works. Here's what I did:

Notes: All I really needed for the swap was the control panel with the switch controls mounted to the back. The control for the mode won't be needed as it's not compatible with the 93-97 connections. Your stock mode control can be moved from your stock control panel to the new one, and the **** will fit it.

Steps:
1) Remove dash trim ring around radio and HVAC controls. Remove two bolts (7mm) that hold the HVAC controls in the dash.
2) Remove trim in the passenger side foot well below the glove box. (You might not NEED to do this)
3) Pull controls out of dash, they won't come very far though.
4) There are several connections to the back of this thing, one is a large 4-connector plug on the left side at the back (This is for the rear window defrost), there is one for the fan speed setting, there is one on the back of the temperature control (just snaps on), and two connections for the mode control, 1 electrical and one vacuum, there are also two light bulbs. Remove all these connections. On my controls, the large 4-wire on the left went to some smaller wires, which went to a large thing that was bolted to the back (looked like a relay) of the control panel, leave all that on your stock unit as you don't need it on the new one. Disconnecting the stuff I mentioned should let it come free of the dash and out of the car. I couldn't get the controls far enough out of the dash to get the temperature control off, so I had to unbolt it from where it goes to under the glove box (to left of the blower fan, a single 7mm bolt holds it in place), just follow the black cable to it and you should be able to find it.
5) Transfer the mode control from your stock unit to the new one, because the vacuum connections are different on the two.
6) Re-connect everything and put the trim back (if you had to remove it) and go to town.

That should be it.

I do not have pictures, unfortunately.

It's wonderful knowing how the controls are set at night just by glancing.

Just thought I'd share in case anyone else was interested.

 

AWSOME! I can't wait to do that to mine! Looking is a lot easier than having to touch them to see where they are set to...

 

I used the ones from a 97 in my car.

 

The ONLY thing you have to so to make the 97-up hvacs work is swap the mode selector switch out of your old hvac controls into the 99 unit . Its the far left switch with the clear rubber vacum connector . There are 3 screws that retain that switch on back on the hvac unit . Its very easy and straightforward .

Here's a pic of 2002 unit in my 95 .

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...56200514vwIEst

 

That's exactly what I said, I just provided nice detailed instructions for the entire process is all.