'95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

What exactly is different about the '95 HVAC control panel and the '96-'00s? Mine needs replaced and I see some listed as '95-up and some '96-up. Somebody's wrong. I've caught wind about the '95s being different under the dash but I never knew exactly how. Connectors? What are the differences? What do I have to look for to know it's the right panel?

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

OBD1 (95) computer doesn't get any signals from the climate control but OBD2 does.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

So you're saying I'm looking for a '95-only part, right? Is there a physical difference I can look for when buying a used one? I'll grab the part# off mine and ask any seller for the number off of theirs

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Auto Zone doesn't list one for the 95, but has one for my 99 so I guess there is a difference. This is a spare I have from a 99 Suburban so it has the rear window defroster. Looks like the blower switch is busted off.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

That's my concern with buying used. I saw one listed and they made a point to say "no broken tabs", so it must be a common thing. That one was going for $129 on Ebay. But it was listed as 95-00. I think most don't know there is a difference and they all look the same

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Have you checked car-part.com? I looked in the Northeast section, and there are quite a few available. Most yards will send out a part to a customer. Just give them a call

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

The plugs on the back are different. 95 is the red headed step child of the obss in my opinion have the new interior but still tbi one year only trans that will definitely go out and also one year only ash try that part doent matter to much but still.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Here's a close up of where the plug goes.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

I think I saw new ones somewhere in my search somewhere. I'll check them out. Thanks
I guess that's what I had heard...after I bought it. I had another '95 from '98-'04 but never had dash issues. It was a 6.5TD and a bit odd along with the '94s, first EFI/non-programmable ECM.

I don't get offended by it but it's funny I had been hearing that redheaded stepchild term used for years, maybe even used it myself, before it struck me that I raised one myself and she got all the love and then some. Her hair color was more a plus if anything. And she had the name to match, Shannon. :cool:
Thanks!

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

You can get adapters for the newer ones to fit the 95. Some advertised as 95 are really newer ones with pigtails to fit the 95 dash.

71gmc: 95&96 dash are the same save for the obd connector. 97up have the airbag or pocket (2500/3500). The transmission isn't that bad - it's mostly just different electronics and they don't die quickly if you take care of them, like adding a cooling fan and using an all aluminum high quality radiator.

Yes it is a bastard year so it does make some repairs interesting :)

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

I bought this '95 Suburban in Dec '14 and have put 100k on it. No issues with the 4L80E.

So the electronics are compatible, it's just the difference in connector? I looked at Car-part.com and found some for '95 but haven't bought one yet. The closest (drivable) and cheapest ($40) says one broken tab (honest at least) and useable (still honest?). I want to call for more details on which tab.

I wonder if the adaptor pigtail is still offered

EDIT: I found one, n.o.s. $200. I also found the '95 control panel n.o.s. over $500. I wonder if any aftermarket were made

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Can you get the newer plug end and transfer your wires to it?

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

After spending tons of time researching the 95 model I found a good used one off ebay $100 + . Just for giggles use a jumper wire from the ground wire on the fan to a good ground on the truck . I read where the problem is the ground wire burried in the dash and by jumping the fan ground to the dash support fixes the fan control switch . it worked on mine :chevy:

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Due to electrical issues on my '93 I ran a blower motor ground directly to the battery.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

One of the more interesting things is the interface to the PCM and other computer controls. It's ALDL serial datalink using the 16 terminal J1962 "OBD II" jack instead of the 12 terminal North America ALDL jack that GM used up to 1994.

You can talk to it with a Tech2.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

That's what I'll do. This is the solution GM offered for servicing the '95s. Then I have any 96-00 control panel at my disposal. I'll take a crap shoot on an aftermarket unit. I'll run a better ground for the fan switch.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Wow, I'm late to the party...

Yes plug end is different, most companies used to offer a harness to adapt, LMC used to...I now see they don't.

What is the issue with the panel now?

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

I had it out to replace the fan switch. The plastic is very brittle and at least one panel tab broke as well as the fan switch tabs. I was going to JB Weld the switch to the panel but that one stopped working. I figured replace the whole deal.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

That is frustrating. Might be worth hitting the yards or finding a reseller that will honor some kind of warranty. Price for that NOS stuff is pretty salty! But there again....that one lasted a "few" years.....

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Yeah, it's take a chance on replacement crap/new plastic or take a chance on OEM being brittle. These ain't no metal '72 parts. We are now seeing plastic is not best for the long haul (no news here). I'm trying to find that adapter harness used. $200 for some wire and plugs so I can use a $100 replacement control panel doesn't set well.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Can you get a 96 and later plug off a salvage machine and move the terminals from the 95 plug to the replacement?
Making the rash assumption that GM used the same connector family.

I would assume you could clip off enough of the 96 wiring to marry it onto the 95 cab harness with solder and heatshrink.

The 95 HVAC schematic starts on page 238 of the 1995 electrical troubleshooting manual.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

That's something I'm unsure about. If I had both to compare I 'might' be able to figure that out. But I'm guessing different connector family is the issue here.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

IIRC the control panel in my 2000 has a similar plastic printed circuit to the one pictured in post #8.

The wide springy terminals for that are similar to the 73-91 instrument panel plugs. A little obnoxious to figure out how to release the terminal but once you figure it out they can be pulled out and inserted in a new shell fairly easily.

It might be worth your time to do some U-pullit trawling for the 96 & later connector along with a fair chunk of the attached wire to use as a pigtail.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Thanks for the help. I have a yard nearby. I'll go check for '96-up GMT400s

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Tagging for updates.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

As I said the 1995 manuals have the wiring diagrams.
I just looked at my 1996 & 1998 manual hardcopies. I've already scanned all that I have. It appears I don't have the electrical volumes. Incomplete sets from the dealership auction lots that I bought.
Motor or Alldata may be a source for the later HVAC control wiring diagrams. Not free but worth a subscription if you can't find the diagrams in the wild.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

I used to order the Helm manuals for every vehicle I owned. When I received three books, two of them schematics, for my '90 Blazer I gave up and didn't order one (any) for the '92 or later. I guess they'd be handy now, but back then it just made me realize I didn't want to work on anything that new or complicated. I'm a hard headed idealist. I want things like they were and stayed with old vehicles for that reason. Now that time has gone by and these are now old vehicles I want them over what's newer, and now I need to know this stuff. Yep, shot myself in the foot :lol:

But thanks for your help. I have a much younger friend who came up working on the newer stuff and it's no big deal. He gets stuck with the new stuff I throw my hands up on. Still haven't called him yet. I need to get back to this, though. I can deal with the autumn dew and cool mornings but I'm going to need defrost before too long.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

If you can't find any let me know. There are 2 yards close to me that always have these trucks in there. One I believe had a 95, caught my eye for some reason, but was pretty roached.

My 96 Yukon had a bad panel, off was hi, low didn't work, and on medium and hi it was on low. The blend door didn't work either. I found a 'burban in the yard that had brand new panel and blend door. They worked perfect. Last I checked the panel was pushing $200. I had a couple I think, they worked great and looks OEM.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Thanks for the offer. I'll see what happens

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

If you don't mind, keep us posted S-K. This stuff is helpful.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

I will certainly follow through on this thread. I've been gathering info prior to getting back into this, and have other projects mixed in at the moment. It's upper-40s this morning for the first time of the season, so I need to make this a priority once I complete a home project I'm on. I also need to replace the multifunction switch in the steering column. Not looking forward to that! The good part is when this all goes back together I will have a nicer steering wheel and stereo as well. I also just bought '94 cloth hi-back buckets. So looking forward to having the new and improved interior.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

The multifunction switch is more time consuming than terrible to swap out. Sounds like some good improvements coming up on your long roof!

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Get the lock plate tool It'll make removing and replacing the lock plate snap ring a lot easier.
If they have it, borrow it from The Borg (O'Riley, AutoZone etc)
Attachment 2134301

I know they have steering wheel pullers in the loaner tools.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Thanks for the tip. Hopefully my steering wheel puller will work on this wheel. I understand with air bag I need to disconnect the battery some time in advance due to memory.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

The SIR wiring usually has yellow connector shells with a CPA lock. The CPA is to keep the connector from accidentally coming apart.
The 2005 Silverado service manual says to disconnect the battery and then find the SIR connector at the base of the steering column, remove the CPA lock, and unplug the airbag there before removing the airbag from the steering wheel. I would think the T400 airbags are similar.

Dropping the airbag more than a foot or so will damage it. I usually put the airbags on a towel on the passenger side floor or on a towel on the ground.

https://static.summitracing.com/glob...grt-620048.pdf

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

I may be totally late to the show

On my ‘95 the fan does not go to high speed (AC or Heater). I replaced the control panel and resistor at the fan. Still no high speed fan. I have the lower speeds, just not the max high speed. Is this a ground issue that I just read on this thread ? Did others have high speed fan issues ?

I got my switch control panel from rock auto $180. Napa was $250 and was on back order for months

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

I'm not real good with these newer trucks, but I know there is a module for the controls behind the glovebox. I bought a new one I intend to install once I tear into my truck's repair. It could be as simple as a ground but I doubt it, since the switch is working on other speeds

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

There's no need for a lock plate depressor on a 95 and newer truck.

You can replaced the multifuntion switch without removing the steering wheel. I use a 1/4 wrench to turn a torx screwdriver bit. But it sounds like you want to replace the steering wheel.

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

I have still done nothing. I will be sticking another new fan switch in today to get me by. Just unsure which way to go still. I feel the plug swap may be over my head. I should be haunting Ebay for a used adapter harness, problem solved. That is my speed.

I've had enough heat w/o the fan so far but that's about to change. Been a mild December. Been getting by with closing a cut tarp in the doors and over the windshield. You all should try it, instant defrosted windshield! :lol:

Guess I'll go to Ebay now. Will post final results

Re: '95 Heater Control Panel. What's The Diff?
 

Well in case it still doesn't work you could use one of these. I've not used one myself for defrosting a windshield but I have seen a couple of guys get by through some tough times using one slightly bigger alright. ;)