Cab Climate Control Panels
The standard cab climate control panel has a fan switch, a temperature control switch, and a mode control switch that allows the driver to control heating, cooling, defrosting, and ventilating. The control panel may also be equipped with an optional A/C switch and/or an optional BUNK switch. See Fig..
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Fan Off Position
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Fan Switch
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Bunk Switch
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Indicator
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Temperature Control Switch
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Mode Control Switch
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Air Conditioner Switch
Fig. 1, Cab Climate Control Panel, No ATC
Vehicles equipped with ATC have an LED display. See Fig..
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Fan Off Position
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LED Display
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Mode Control Switch
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Bunk Switch (optional)
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Temperature Up/Down Switch
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Fan Switch
Fig. 2, Cab Climate Control Panel With ATC
Controls
Fan Switch
The fan switch activates the fan, which forces fresh air or recirculated air through the air outlets. The fan switch has four fan speed settings and an off position. See Fig..
To operate the fan switch, turn the fan switch clockwise to increase airflow; turn the fan switch counterclockwise to decrease airflow.
On vehicles equipped with ATC, the AUTO setting on the fan switch places the heater and air conditioner system in the automatic fan speed control mode. When the fan switch is set to AUTO, the fan speed will vary as necessary to maintain the temperature set by the user.
Temperature Control Switch
To select the desired temperature:
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Vehicles Without ATC: Turn the switch to the left (counterclockwise) for cool air, or to the right (clockwise) for hot air.
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Vehicles With ATC: Press and release the right side of the temperature up/down switch to increase the temperature to the desired setting. Press and release the left side of the temperature up/down switch to decrease the temperature to the desired setting. Press and hold the temperature up/down switch to change the desired temperature in large increments.
Mode Control Switch
The mode control switch allows the driver to control the flow of air through the face outlets, the floor outlets, the defrost (windshield) outlets, or a combination of these outlets to provide six air selection modes. See Fig..
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Face Mode (using recirculating air): Directs all airflow through the face or instrument panel outlets, using recirculated air.
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Face Mode (using fresh air): Directs all airflow through the face or instrument panel outlets, using fresh air.
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Bi-Level Mode: Directs the airflow equally to the face outlets and the floor outlets.
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Floor Mode: Directs all airflow through the floor outlets.
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Floor/Defrost Mode: Directs the airflow equally to the floor outlets and the defrost outlets.
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Defrost Mode: Directs all airflow through the defrost outlets.
Note: The face mode using recirculating air is the only mode that recirculates the air in the cab. All other modes draw in fresh air from outside the vehicle.
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Face Mode (recirculating air)
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Face Mode (fresh air)
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Bi-Level Mode
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Floor Mode
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Floor and Defrost Mode
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Defrost Mode
Fig. 3, Mode Control Switch Settings
Bunk Switch
The optional BUNK switch allows the driver to control the sleeper heater and air conditioner from the cab. Press the BUNK switch to turn the sleeper heater and air conditioner on. When the bunk switch is on, the indicator light is on. The sleeper heater and air conditioner can still be controlled from the sleeper when the BUNK switch is on.
Air Conditioner (A/C) Switch
The air conditioner cools and dehumidifies the air inside the cab. Press the optional A/C switch to turn the air conditioner on or off. When the air conditioner is on, the A/C switch illuminates.
Important: Operate the air conditioner at least five minutes each month, even during cool weather. This helps prevent drying and cracking of the refrigerant compressor seals and reduces the chance of refrigerant leaks in the system.
LED Display, Vehicles With ATC Only
The LED display shows the temperature to which the heater or air conditioner has been set in degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Celsius.
Changing Temperature Units
The temperature units can be changed from Fahrenheit (°F) to Celsius (°C) or from Celsius to Fahrenheit by turning the ignition on, turning the fan switch off, and pressing and holding the left side of the temperature up/down switch for five seconds. The current temperature unit will then be shown on the LED display. Press the left side of the temperature up/down switch again to toggle between °F and °C. Changing the temperature units on the cab climate control panel will also effect the sleeper climate control panel.
Error Codes
Error codes can be displayed by turning the ignition on, turning the fan switch off, and pressing and holding the right side of the temperature up/down switch for five seconds. The current error status will be shown on the LED display. Press the right side of the temperature up/down switch again repeatedly to scroll the display through any existing error codes. If an error code is displayed, contact your Western Star dealer for service.
Modes
Recirculation Mode
Warning: Do not use the recirculation mode when the heater is on and the vehicle is in motion. Driving with the recirculation mode on while the heater is on may cause the windows to be obscured by moisture or ice, which could result in an accident possibly causing personal injury or property damage.
Do not use the recirculation mode for more than 20 minutes at a time because the air inside the cab may become stuffy and the windows may become obscured by moisture, which could result in an accident possibly causing personal injury or property damage.
When the mode control switch (see Fig.. ) is turned to the face mode using recirculating air, the air in the cab is recirculated through the heater and air conditioner system. This is the only mode that uses recirculated air. Fresh air, or outside air, is circulated through the heating and air conditioning system when any other mode is selected.
The recirculation mode can be used to prevent dusty or smoky air from entering the cab, or to decrease the time required to cool or heat the cab interior during extreme outside temperature conditions. When the outside air is clear or the desired cab temperature is reached, change the mode control switch to a fresh-air mode. The recirculation mode can be used when the air conditioner is on whether the vehicle is moving or not.
Defrost Mode
The defrost mode is used to deice, defrost, or defog the windows.
Note: When the defrost mode is on, the air conditioner is on. The air conditioner is used to dehumidify the air entering the cab and to remove the moisture from the windshield.