An automatic system manages the passenger compartment climate control, in other words the temperature and the ventilation, with recirculation and direction of the air flows, with separate management for the left and right sides of the passenger compartment and the rear seats (optional).

A special control unit manages the operation of the system by controlling:

- air temperature at the vents - driver's/passenger side;

- air distribution to the vents;

- fan speed (continuous variation);

- compressor engagement (air refrigeration circuit);

- air recirculation engagement;

- MAX-DEF rapid defrosting function (which consists of a collection of measures which make it possible to demist both the windscreen and the rear window quickly);

The control unit sets the above parameters so that temperature of the passenger compartment is adjusted to the desired temperature. The system controls are located on the outside of the container which houses the control unit.

The following parameters/functions can be altered manually:

- fan speed;

- distribution arrangement;

- compressor disabling;

- defrosting/demisting;

- recirculation.

Manual selections always take priority over automatic ones and are memorised until the user cancels the command by returning to automatic operation.

The control unit acquires information on the temperature and climate conditions both inside and outside the vehicle by means of special sensors:

- outside temperature sensor, located on the passenger door mirror: the sensor value is acquired by the Body Computer and is then sent, via the CAN, to the climate control system control unit as well as to the instrument panel and to other consumers;

- solar sensor, which measures the sun rays on the windscreen;

- four treated air sensors: measures the temperature at the vent outlet and send this information to the control unit;

- passenger compartment air sensor; this is incorporated in the control unit; it is also suitably ventilated and measures the temperature inside the vehicle.

On the basis of the calculations made, the following are set:

- the speed of the air introduced into the passenger compartment by means of an electronic governor that controls the fan;

- the temperature of the air itself by means of two mixture actuators (one for the right side of the passenger compartment and one for the left side)

- the distribution of the flows with another two actuators (left and right);

- the interior/exterior air recirculation function by means of another specific actuator.

All actuators are controlled by an electronic control unit.

If the conditions require it, the control unit also switches on the air cooling and dehumidification circuit, activating the air conditioning compressor

  See E6021 COMPRESSOR ENGAGEMENT 

For more details,   See descriptions 5040 AIR CONDITIONING CASING AND COMPONENTS

When the outside temperature measured is less than 3 °C the message "Danger of Ice" is shown on the instrument panel display with the snow symbol; this situation is also signalled by a buzzer.

The climate control system control unit M070 receives a direct supply at pin 30 from the line protected by fuse F36 of M001, whilst pin 39 receives an ignition-controlled supply (INT) from the line protected by fuse F51 of M001.

Pin 40 of M070 is earthed.

The climate control system control unit M070 is connected – from pins 1 and 2 - via the CAN line, to the Body Computer M001 and to the other network nodes.

  See E1050 CAN CONNECTION LINES 

Solar sensor K090 informs the control unit of the heat coming from the sun's rays: it receives a 5 V power supply from pin 7 of control unit M070 and gives out two signals: to pin 19 for the right area, to pin 10 for the left area.

Sensors K111 (right lower treated air) and K113 (left lower treated air), K110 (right upper treated air) and K112 (left upper treated air) are connected to control unit M070: these sensors receive a reference earth from pin 11 and send signals to pins 20, 17, 9 and 18 of M070.

The sensor which measures the outside temperature is located on the passenger door mirror P61: the sensor is connected to Body Computer M001 and from there, via the CAN, to M070.

Recirculation actuator N082 is controlled by control unit M070 by pins 12 and 22.

The mixture actuators N078 and N079 are controlled by control unit M070 from pins 32-37 and 35-24 respectively, they receive a power supply for the potentiometer from pin 31 of M070, a reference earth from pin 11 of M070 and send a feedback signal to pins 25 and 26 of M070.

The distribution actuators N112 and N113 are controlled by control unit M070 from pins 33-34 and 36-38 respectively, they receive a power supply for the potentiometer from pin 31 of M070, a reference earth from pin 11 of M070 and send a feedback signal to pins 27 and 28 of M070.

The sensor that measures the outside temperature is located in the passenger door mirror P061; the sensor is connected to the Body Computer M001 and from there to M070 via the CAN.

The outside temperature sensor signal is sent to the Body Computer M001 - pin 37 of connector B - whilst pin 52 provides the reference earth.

The Body Computer M001 - connector A - receives a direct power supply from the battery through the line protected by maxi fuse F01 of the engine compartment junction unit B001.

The Body Computer M001 receives an ignition-operated (INT) power supply at pin 11 of connector E, whilst the ignition-operated (INT/A) signal reaches pin 1 of connector E.

Pin 9 of connector E of M001 provides the Body Computer with a reference earth.

The fan N085 is supplied, via the electronic governor M072 - by the dedicated fuse F08 in the engine compartment junction unit B001 from the line supplied by relay switch T08 in B001: it involves an ignition-operated power supply - start-up excluded (INT/A) controlled by pin 21 of connector C of the Body Computer M001 via the line protected by fuse F31 of M001.

It receives commands for the various speeds from electronic governor M072: the latter receives the PWM adjustment signal from pin 5 of control unit M070 and sends a feedback signal to pin 29 of M070.