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Climate Control Unit Change - 2013 to 2015

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by TheTimob, Jul 21, 2016.

  1. TheTimob

    TheTimob Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Divide, CO
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    One thing that always annoyed me about my 2013 Prius C was that screen on the climate controls is SO BRIGHT at night, and turning the dimmer down didn't do anything to change it. I like a very dark dash when driving at night.

    A bit after I bought the car, Toyota sent me a very detailed engineering survey about the car where I was able to explain these issues. I suggested replacing the screen with the black/white type of vacuum fluorescent displays used in other Toyotas for the odometers. Now - I'm not taking credit for this change - but Toyota DID change the climate controls to EXACTLY what I wanted - in the refreshed, mid model change 2015 Prius C. I found a climate unit on eBay from a 2015 and went to town.

    The 2013 Screen - with the lights off:
    01_LightsOff.jpg
    The 2013 Screen - with the lights on: (the only difference is the indicator lights being slightly dimmer)
    02_LightsOn.jpg
    First thing is to take off the radio trim. Grab it at the lower right corner and pull it straight out. The hazard switch has a wire going to it - so disconnect it.
    03_radioTrim.jpg
    The dash trim comes off too, pull the passenger side vent assy straight out, then pull the trim up from the top, out towards the right.
    04_dashTrim.jpg
    The lower trim rail thing also has clips, pull down.
    05_lowerTrim.jpg
    The climate unit is only retained by more clips, so pull it straight out and disconnect the harness from the back.
    06_unitOut.jpg
    Here's a comparison of the two units side-by-side
    07_comparison.jpg
    Here's the new display with the lights off, bright, easy to read in daylight
    09_lightsOff.jpg
    Here's the new display with the lights on, this new screen changes brightness with the dimmer knob!
    10_lightsOn.jpg

    One really cool touch of the new climate control is that the picture of the car on the recirculation button is now the outline of a Prius C - not a generic car!
    PriusOutline.jpg

    One detail to note - the radio trim on the 2015 C is very slightly different from the 2013 on the bottom left where it touches the climate unit's front left. The 2013 controls have a ridge in that area, and the 2015 controls do not, so the radio trim does not quite fit perfectly in that area. Some slight trimming of the tiny ribs on the back of the radio trim piece help this be almost unnoticeable. The 2015 dash has a lot of glossy black accents to it, but the 2013 has a "brushed" look in those same spots. The difference between those two looks should be noted - it does not bother me at all. I'm very happy with this modification!
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 TheTimob, Jul 21, 2016
    djdawn, MagnusAG99, Brandon Most and 5 others like this.
  2. TC400

    TC400 Active Member

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    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    wow so funny. I was thinking about doing this wondering if it would work and it does. Neat!
     
    #2 TC400, Jul 25, 2016
  3. Veliksam

    Veliksam Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Two
    Thank you for this thread, you answered my question.

    Now I'm on the look out for a gently used unit that's not too expensive.

    Update: I just bought 15+my climate control for $64. Yesssss.
     
    #3 Veliksam, Oct 9, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2016
  4. -y0-

    -y0- Member

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    2013 Prius c
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    Four
    Can you take a pic of the part that needs to be trimmed? Also, does the climate control still work?
     
    #4 -y0-, Nov 2, 2016
  5. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Cool mod! (y)
     
    #5 ILuvMyPriusToo, Nov 2, 2016
  6. Veliksam

    Veliksam Member

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    I'll take a pic when I do my install, hopefully I'll figure out what exactly needs to be trimmed
     
    #6 Veliksam, Nov 2, 2016
  7. Veliksam

    Veliksam Member

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    Ok so I just got my new climate control today, took off all the trim pieces and indeed discovered that it is not a very good fit for the old radio trim.

    Took out my dremel and started hacking away at the corner of the lower left part of the radio trim piece, I got it to fit as good as possible but it's still not 100% perfect.

    I will keep using the old radio trim piece for the time being, however in the near future I will purchase the new model radio trim piece plus the new display audio radio. Only then everything will snap in nice and flush.

    Anyways, I'm really happy that I have the newer climate control, looks very nice and the controls and display are much better!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 Veliksam, Nov 4, 2016
  8. -y0-

    -y0- Member

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    Any pics of that part?
     
    #8 -y0-, Nov 4, 2016
  9. Veliksam

    Veliksam Member

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    There really isn't a point in taking a pic, it's just something you have to work on with the dremel and carve a little at a time until you get enough of the plastic off and it's thin enough to fit.

    If you want a pic of the radio trim, go online and search for 2015 Prius c radio trim and then you'll see the difference.

    I'll take a pic of the unit installed.
     
    #9 Veliksam, Nov 4, 2016
  10. Veliksam

    Veliksam Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
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    Two
    I just purchased a used radio trim piece from a 2015, now with this piece it'll sit nice and flush with my 2015 climate control.

    I know the 2014 radio won't fit with the 15 radio trim piece, so I'll be purchasing a 15 radio dash kit from Metra to fit an aftermarket double din pioneer.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #10 Veliksam, Dec 15, 2016
  11. nikoloza

    nikoloza New Member

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    where you buy this part plz link it ok if any one know link just ty
     
    #11 nikoloza, May 28, 2018
  12. nikoloza

    nikoloza New Member

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    where you buy and how this panel called prius c climate control lcd display or some different ? can you link for me this from ebay or amazon or nwm :) ty early
     
    #12 nikoloza, May 28, 2018
  13. mohsin

    mohsin Member

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    Great upgrade. ;)
     
    #13 mohsin, Jun 21, 2018
  14. HasuPK

    HasuPK New Member

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    One
    Interesting modification!
     
    #14 HasuPK, Jul 10, 2018
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