depends how much you've had to drink. j/k

Alcohol and a hot solder iron don't go well together boys and girls.

It took me about 20 minutes. I simply flash heated one solder terminal at a time and gently lifted the button piece with one of those really small flathead screwdrivers (like the one you would use to fix eyeglasses). Then I used one of those plastic model kit tweezers, held the button and carefully put as little solder as it took to attach it on the new ACC. I don't know if the button orientation is essential but I would attach it in the same orientation as you took it off. If you mess up the orientation, you can always look at the other buttons on the controller and reorient the button.

 

Just a little tip about disconnecting the stock AC Controller.

Before you unplug the AC controller plug, there are 2 plastic pieces on the bracket that need to be removed first, one from the top of the plug and one from the obttom of the plug. These plastic pieces are on the car side of the plug and not on the side of the ACC plug.

The 2 plastic retaining pieces are each held on by 2 little clips on either side of the clip that can be detached by inserting a precision flathead screwdriver. Once you remove both plastic retaining pieces, you can now acutally disconnect the plugs. I wish I had taken a picture b/c it was kind of tricky at first.

 

Hey,

First off, thanks for all the great pictures and commentary. I look forward to applying all the help you have provided in adding my system to my g35.

Here are my questions:

1) Is this process the same for someone who doesn't have dual climate control?

2) It looks like if I were to get a button from radio shack and put it on the new v35 a/c controller, I could turn on DCC and use it if I didn't have it to begin with. (I hope that made sense). I guess I'm wondering if there is more to DCC than simply the button hardware that isn't in the car if you don't have DCC.

3) Do I have to replace the DCC button on the new controller for the A/C and heat to work properly, or if I don't put the button on there, is DCC the *only* thing I will lose?

4) What if I do not have the premium stereo; will this impact the installation of a new head unit?

5) How did you handle the power, ground, remote etc. on your new aftermarket head unit?

Thank you so much for all the help!!
-Chris

 

ok. I am planning on creating a DIY guide today so I'll give you some info right now.

Answers:
1. This would be the same for someone who doesn't have DCC on stock ACC. You simply would not do the DCC button switch (remove "dead" button, desolder/resolder green ACC circuit button)
2. I don't know about this. I guess if you found a similar button with 4 connection terminals, you could potentially solder on a Radio Shack circuit button. The v35 ACC is already wired for DCC except no green button. BUT, I'm not sure if a Radio Shack circuit button would have same resistance or capacity electrical stuff to work correctly. Plus, you wouldn't have the DCC button (not circuit button, but controller button), don't know how you would fashion a similar button.
3. You don't have to replace the DCC circuit or controller button on the v35 ACC for the AC to work properly. If you correctly hook up the v35 controller, it should work. Yes, the only thing you would lose would be DCC (but if you didn't have it in the first place i.e. non-premium package AC, it won't be any different)
4. IF you don't have a premium stereo, it shouldn't make any difference in terms of installing an aftermarket HU. I think the only difference between the Premium and non-Premium Audio packages are the addition of 2 6x9" subs on the rear shelf and a Bose Amp (for coupe).
5. To do the wiring, you can either just spliceand crimp the wires which are color-coded so it makes it easy (blue/black/red, etc.) I wouldn't recommend this b/c once your clip you stock wiring harness, it would be hard to put back stock deck if you decided to sell car or something.
To make it super simple, I used this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-oem8EkM...=0&cc=01&avf=N

or

http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/SCONN03B

All you have to do is crimp the color-coded wires together between your aftermarket deck and the wiring harness. This was really easy!

Hope this helps.

 

crutchfield rules!!! nice work.