2 questions about festiva a/c set-up

[treetrun]

Hello all you festiva owners out there. I am trying to get two questions answered about the ford festiva air conditioning set-up. First, are festivas pre wired to accomidate air conditioning being installed( if the festy doesn't have a/c installed from the factory or dealer). Sort of like it is prewired to accomidate power mirrors and also the cargo light. Secound question:
The festiva with automatic transmission has 3 inline relays in the a/c wiring loom, and the manual transmission has only two in the a/c wiring loom. I have the 3 inline relay a/c loom, and need to install it and all the other mechanical gadgets into a manual festiva. Will or is the difference going to matter or make any difference in the electrical side or operation of the a/c unit. I know there are some festiva owner-experts out there with some knowledge about this. Any comments and answers most appreciated. Im trying to get this a/c unit in before summer. Your help is greatly appreciated.many thanks in advance...festy b4 summer....

[wybnrml]

I don't think Festiva's are pre wired, you need to get it all from the donor I think, but here is a link to the A/C instalation http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=438

[Tim]

Festivas are not pre-wired for A/C. The main harness, however, does have connectors for the A/C harness to plug into.

80s and 90s Festivas had different harnesses. So did aftermarket and dealer A/C, which are slightly different. It's easier just to use one complete system instead of trying to piece one together from several cars. Although you can use parts from different systems, provided the component is the same as the one you are replacing.

Hope this helped.

-Tim

[Festiva_tunner]

I've found two differnt factory air set ups and harnesses - each has a diferent harness and hose routing but the components are all the same.
The first harness has no kick down solinoid or switch (replaces the stop under the gas pedal) - the other has these items and an additional modual box.
The A/C harness is actually comprised of two seperate harnesses - one on the interior and one in the engine compartment.
The diferences in hose routing I've noticed is that one set up goes under the air box and the other over and around the air box.

You will need all of the following:
Compresser
Evaporator
Condensor
High pressure line
Low pressure line
Suction line
Discarge line
Engine A/C Harness
Dash Harnsess
A/C compressor Bracket
A/C Idler Pulley
Crank Pulley with Grove for A/C belt
Rock Guard to protect the compressor
Connection pipe from the Evaporator to the Heater box
Theres a actuator cable that runs from the door actuator (on the heater box) on the drivers side to a switch on the Evaporator
You will also need the A/C switch that goes in where the blanking plate is on your HVAC control unit
If your pulling it of an auto you will have the option to pull the condensor fan and the metal center bar that the grill and hood release bolt to
The only issue you may run into installing the Air option from an auto to a manual is the plug for the condensor fan may not be there (my 91 does not have it)
make sure you grab all the rubber boots and drain lines

Other than that all the rest of the plugs are there - the dash harness plugs in to a connector that may be visible from below (4 pin) but you may have to pull the cluster to find it. trace your harness back from where it meets the HVAC unit and you will find it.

Edit: my experience is only with three different Factory set ups (2 manual 1 auto) I've never personaly seen the dealer set up - but it functions similar with mild differences - they all plug in the same places though