Equity and Noncontrolling Interests Equity Attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc. and Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 11,625	$ 11,154	$ 10,183
Beginning balance	11,773
Beginning balance	148
Net income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.	1,178	1,184	1,415
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	119	127	117
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(20)	(222)	(110)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable common stock	2	(1)	3
Pension and postretirement plans	(16)	(8)	4
Other comprehensive loss	(39)	(192)	(150)
Comprehensive income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.	1,138	993	1,266
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	120	126	116
Comprehensive income	1,258	1,119	1,382
Cash dividends - common stock	(520)	(492)	(435)
Redemption value adjustment attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	59	(35)	(32)
Repurchases of common stock	(350)	(102)
Other, including options exercised	362	107	172
Ending balance	12,314	11,625	11,154
Ending balance	12,574	11,773
Ending balance	260	148
Parent
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	11,625	11,154	10,183
Net income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.	1,178	1,184	1,415
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(21)	(221)	(109)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives	(5)	39	(47)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable common stock	2	(1)	3
Pension and postretirement plans	(16)	(8)	4
Other comprehensive loss	(40)	(191)	(149)
Comprehensive income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.	1,138	993	1,266
Cash dividends - common stock	(520)	(492)	(435)
Dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Redemption value adjustment attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	59	(35)	(32)
Repurchases of common stock	(350)	(102)
Change in noncontrolling interest share	0		0
Other, including options exercised	362	107	172
Ending balance	12,314	11,625	11,154
Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	148	138	106
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	71	58	53
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0	(1)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable common stock	0	0	0
Pension and postretirement plans	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss	0	0	(1)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	71	58	52
Cash dividends - common stock	0	0	0
Dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	(39)	(48)	(32)
Redemption value adjustment attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Change in noncontrolling interest share	80		12
Other, including options exercised	0	0	0
Ending balance	260	148	138
Stockholders' Equity, Total
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	11,773	11,292	10,289
Net Income	1,249	1,242	1,468
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(21)	(221)	(110)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives	(5)	39	(47)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable common stock	2	(1)	3
Pension and postretirement plans	(16)	(8)	4
Other comprehensive loss	(40)	(191)	(150)
Comprehensive income	1,209	1,051	1,318
Cash dividends - common stock	(520)	(492)	(435)
Dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	(39)	(48)	(32)
Redemption value adjustment attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	59	(35)	(32)
Repurchases of common stock	(350)	(102)
Change in noncontrolling interest share	80		12
Other, including options exercised	362	107	172
Ending balance	$ 12,574	$ 11,773	$ 11,292