Auto A/C Terms - Glossary
Control Head

Every auto A/C system provides controls in the passenger compartment. Those controls are typically mounted onto one assembly and that assembly is mounted on the dashboard of the vehicle. That entire assembly, which typically includes a temperature selector, mode selector, blower control switch and possibly a temperature knob or lever is considered the control head of the A/C system.

Control heads vary depending on the type of system. That is, manual systems will include a very basic control head that will provide a temperature slide lever for warm and cool along with a blower selector switch. More complex systems use control heads that include an actual temperature selector lever or knob that will allow the user to select a temperature for the passenger compartment. Those control heads are typical of automatic control systems and they will maintain the operation of the blower, mode doors and temperature blend door automatically so that the selected temperature is maintained in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.