1997 ASTON MARTIN DB7 oil pressure

Air Conditioning
General Description 5^^?
climate Control System
Features
Refrigerant R134A (Hydro fluorocarbon), non ozone depletory.
PAG (polyalkylene glycol) synthetic compressor lubricating oil.
Dedicated and improved compressor for Refrigerant R134A.
Quick fit and release self sealing charge and discharge ports.
Triple pressure (Trinary) switch to control the compressor (incorporated into the liquid line).
Clamp retained 'O' ring seals at the expansion valve and evaporator.
All aluminium evaporator matrix and pipe work.
Aluminium receiver-dryer (without sight glass) and HFC dedicated desiccant.
Parallel flow extended height condenser.
Single muffler situated in the suction hose.
Improved electrical system connectors.
Improved system control panel.
System Recognition
Identification Features
Aluminium pipes.
Large diameter, quick release charge and recovery ports.
No sight glass.
8-6 May 1996

Air Conditioning
Working Practices O" 15-^?
Working Practices
General
Be aware of, and comply
with,
all health and safety
requirements.
Before beginning any repair or service procedure,
disconnect the vehicle battery ground connection
and protect the vehicle from dirt or damage.
Work in a well ventilated, clean and tidy area.
Recovery and chargeequipment must comply
with,

or exceed the standard detailed in the General
Description.
Handling Refrigerant
Wear eye protection at all times.
Use gloves, keep skin that may come into contact
with refrigerant covered. If the refrigerant comes
into contactwith youreyesorskin wash the affected
area immediatelyw'ith cool water and seek medical
advice, do not attempt to treat yourself.
Avoid inhaling refrigerant vapour, it wil
your respiratory system.
irritate
Never use high pressure compressed air to flush out
a system. Under certain circumstances a
combination of HFC 134A and compressed air in
the presenceofa source ofcombustion (for instance,
welding or brazing equipment), results in an
explosion that releases toxic compounds into the
atmosphere.
The refrigerant and CFC 12 must never come into
contact with each other
as
they form an inseparable
mixture that can only be disposed of by incineration.
Do not vent refrigerant directly into the atmosphere,
always use approved recovery equipment.
Refrigerant is costly but it can be recycled. Clean
the refrigerant, using the recovery equipment and
reuse it.
Carry out LeakTestsonly with an electronic analyser
dedicated to Refrigerant El 34A.
Do not attemptto guess the amount of refrigerant in
a system, always recover it and recharge with the
correct charge weight. Do not depress the charge or
discharge port valves to check for the presence of
refrigerant.
Handling Lubricating Oil
Avoid breathinglubricantmist,itwillcauseirritation
to your respiratory system.
Always decant fresh oil from a sealed container. Do
not leave oil exposed to the atmosphere for any
reason other than to fill or empty a system; PAG oil
is hygroscopic (it absorbs water) and iscontaminated
rapidly by atmospheric moisture.
Following the recovery cycle do not reuse the oil
when it has been separated from the refrigerant;
dispose of the oil safely.
System Maintenance
Do not leave the system open to the atmosphere. If
a unit or part of the system is left open for more than
five minutes, it is advisable to renew the receiver-
dryer. There is not a safe period in which work is to
be carried out. Always plug pipes and units
immediately after disconnection and only remove
plugs when re-connecting.
If replacement parts are supplied without transit
plugs and seals do not use the parts. Return them to
your supplier.
Diagnostic equipment for pressure, mass and
volumeshouidbecalibrated regularly and certified
by a third party organisation.
Use extreme care when handling and securing
aluminium fittings, always use a backing spanner
and take special care when handlingtheevaporator.
Use only the correct or recommended tools for the
job and apply the manufacturer's torque
specifications.
Keep the working area, all components and tools

clean.

8-8 May 1996

Air Conditioning //~-->> ^/zz:^^ • ^ ^
General Svstem Procedures ' —"^ ^ '^ General System Procedures
From the condenser the liquid passes into the Receiver-Drier which has three functions:
• Storage vessel for varying system refrigerant demands.
• Filter to remove system contaminants.
• Moisture removal via the desiccant.
With the passage through the receiver-drier completed the, still high pressure liquid refrigerant, enters the Expansion
Valve where it is metered through a controlled orifice which has the effect of reducing the pressure and temperature.
The refrigerant, now in a cold atomised state, flows into the Evaporator and cools the air which is passing through
the matrix.
As heat is absorbed by the refrigerant it once again changes state, into a vapour, and returns to the compressor for
the cycle to be repeated (Fig. 5).
There is an automatic safety valve incorporated in the compressor which operates should the system pressure be
in excess of
41
bar. The valve re-seats when the pressure drops below 35 bar.
Note: The division of HIGH and LOW side is simply the
system pressure
differential created by the
compressor
discharge

(pressure),
suction
(inlet)
ports and
the
relative inlet and outlet
ports
of the
expansion
valve.
This
differential is critical to
system

fault
diagnosis
and efficiency checks.
System Protection
The trinary pressure switch, located in the liquid line, cuts electrical power to the compressor clutch if the system
pressure is outside of the range of 2 Bar
(1
st Function) to 27 Bar (2nd Function). The third function is to switch on
the cooling fans when pressure exceeds 20 bar.
General System Procedures
Leak Test
Faults associated with low refrigerant charge weight and low pressure may be caused by leakage. Leaks traced to
mechanical connections may be caused by torque relaxation or joint face contamination. Evidence of oil around
such areas is an indicator of leakage. When checking for non visible leaks use only a dedicated Refrigerant El 34A
electronic analyser and apply the probe all round the joint connection. Should a leak be traced to a joint, check that
the fixing is secured to the correct tightening torque before any other action is taken.
Do not forget to check the compressor shaft seal and evaporator.
Note: Never
use
a dedicated
CFC 12
or
naiced
flame type
analyser.

Charge Recovery (System Depressurisation)
The process of refrigerant recovery depends on the basic characteristics of your chosen recovery-recycle-recharge
equipment, therefore, follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. Remember that compressor oil may be drawn
out of the system by this process, take note of the quantity recovered so that it may be replaced.
CAUTION: Observe all relevant safety requirements.
• Do not vent refrigerant directly to atmosphere and always use approved recovery-recycle-recharge
equipment.
• Wear suitable eye and skin protection.
• Do not mix the refrigerant with CFC 12.
• Take note of the amount of recovered refrigerant, it indica
tes the
state of the
system
and
thus the
magnitude
of any problem.
8-12 May 1996

Air Conditioning //—->> "^^Izz^^ • ^ ^
General System Procedures L ^—/ ' —^ ^./^
Adding Refrigerant
In order that the air conditioning system may operate efficiently it must contain a full refrigerant charge. The
indications of some system defects, and the results of certain tests, shows that
a
low charge
is
the most probable cause
of the fault. In such cases the charge shou
Id
be recovered from the
system,
the weight noted, and the correct amount

installed.

Note: Never attempt to
guess the
amount of refrigerant in
a
system.
Always recover and
recharge
with
the
correct
charge
weight,
this is the only
accurate
method.
Caution: If oil is drawn out during the recovery
process,
the correct amount can be added directly from your
recovery-recycle-

recharge station
(if so
equipped)
prior to the charging
process.
It must be
stressed
that the need to protect
compressor
oil from
moisture is vital, observe
the procedures
in Handling Lubricating Oil.
Warning: Liquid refrigerant boils at -29°C (-20°F) at atmospheric pressure. Serious injury, even blindness, can occur if
the refrigerant comes into contact with the eyes.
Goggles and gloves must be warn while working with refrigerant.
First Aid
If refrigerant should contact the eyes or
skin,
bathe the eyes or affected area with cold water for several minutes. Do
not rub. As soon as possible thereafter, obtain treatment from a doctor or eye specialist.
8-14 May 1996

^=2?
Air Conditioning
System Trouble Shooting
System Trouble Shooting
There are five basic symptoms associated with air conditioning fault diagnosis. It is very important to identify the area of
concern before starting a rectification procedure. Spend time with your customer on problem identification, and use the
following trouble shooting guide.
The following conditions are not in order of priority.
No Cooling

1.
Is the electrical circuit to the compressor clutch functional?

2.
Is the electrical circuit to the blower motor(s) functional?
3. Slack or broken compressor drive belt.

4.
Compressor partially or completely seized.
5. Compressor shaft seal leak (see 9).
6. Compressor valve or piston damag^ (may be indicated by small variation between HIGH & LOW side pressures
relative to engine speed).
7. Broken refrigerant pipe (causing total loss of refrigerant).
8. Leak in system (causing total loss of refrigerant).
9. Blocked filter in the receiver drier.

10.
Evaporator sensor disconnected?

11.
Dual pressure switch faulty?
Note:
Should a
leak or low
refrigerant be established as
the
cause,
follow
the procedures
for
Recovery-Recycle
-Recharge,
and
observe all refrigerant and oil handling instructions.
insufficient Cooing

1.
Blower motor(s) sluggish.

2.
Restricted blower inlet or outlet passage
3. Blocked or partially restricted condenser matrix or fins.

4.
Blocked or partially restricted evaporator matrix.
5. Blocked or partially restricted filter in the receiver drier.
6. Blocked or partially restricted expansion valve.
7. Partially collapsed flexible pipe.
8. Expansion valve temperature sensor faulty (this sensor is integral with valve and is not serviceable).
9. Excessive moisture in the system.

10.
Air in the system.

11.
Low refrigerant charge.
May 1996 8-17

Air Conditioning
/J=y>f^^^
—p )
System Trouble Shooting

12.
Compressor clutch slipping.

13.
Blower flaps or distribution vents closed or partially seized.

14.
Water valve not closed.

15.
Evaporator sensor detached from evaporator.
Intermittent Cooling
Is the electrical circuit to the compressor clutch consistent?

2.
Is the electrical circuit to the blower motor(s) consistent?
3. Compressor clutch slipping.

4.
Faulty air distribution flap potentiometer or motor.
5. Motorised in-car aspirator or evaporator temperature sensor faulty, causing temperature variations.
6. Blocked or partially restricted evaporator or condenser.
Noisy System

1.
Loose or damaged compressor drive belt.

2.
Loose or damaged compressor mountings.
3. Compressor oil level low, look for evidence of leakage.

4.
Compressor damage caused by low oil level or internal debris.
5. Blower(s) motor(s) noisy.
6. Excessive refrigerant charge, witnessed by vibration and 'thumping' in the high pressure line (may be indicated by
high HIGH & high LOW side pressures).
7. Low refrigerant charge causing 'hissing' at the expansion valve (may be indicated by low HIGH side pressure).
8. Excessive moisture in the system causing expansion valve noise.

Note;
Electrical faults
may
be more rapidly traced using PDU.
Insufficient Heating

1.
Water valve stuck in the closed position.

2.
Motorised in-car aspirator seized.
3. Blend flaps stuck or seized.

4.
Blocked or restricted blower inlet or outlet.
5. Low coolant level.
6. Blower fan speed low.
7. Coolant thermostat faulty or seized open.
8-18 May 1996

Air Conditioning
Refrigeration /s:s^°27
Refrigeration
Safety Precautions
The air conditioning system is designed to use only
Refrigerant E134A (dichlorodifluoromethane). Extreme
care must betaken NOT to use
a
methylchloride refrigerant.
The chemical reaction between methylchloride and the
aluminium parts ofthe compressor results in the formation
ofproductswhich burn spontaneously on exposure toair,
or decompose with violence in the presence of moisture.
The suitable refrigerant is supplied under the following
names.
El 34A KLEA or equivalent
Warning: Take care when handling refrigerant. Serious
damage will occur if it is allowed to come into
contact with the eyes. Always wear with goggles
and gloves when working with refrigerant
First Aid
If refrigerant should come into contact with the
eyes or
skin,
splash the eyes or affected area with
cold water for several minutes. DO NOT RUB. As
soon as possible thereafter, obtain treatment from a
Doctor or an eye specialist.
Good Practice

1.
Protective sealing plugs must be fitted to all
disconnected pipes and units.

2.
Theprotectivesealingpiugsmustremain inposition
on ail replacement components and pipes until
immediately before assembly.
3. Any part arriving for assembly without sealing
plugs in position must be returned to the supplier as
defective.

4.
It is essential that a second backing spanner is
always used when tightening or loosening all joints.
This minimises distortion or strain on components
or connecting hoses.
5. Components must not be lifted by connecting

pipes,
hoses or capillary tubes.
6. Care must be taken not to damage fins on the
condenser or evaporator matrices. Any damage
must be rectified by the use of fin combs.
7. Before assembly oftube and hosejoints, use
a
small
amount of clean new refrigerant oil on the sealing
seat.
8. Refrigerant oil for any purpose must be kept very
clean and capped at all times. This prevents the oil
absorbing moisture.
9. Before assembly the condition of joints and flares
must be examined. Dirt and even minor damage
will cause leaks at the high pressure points
encountered in the system.

10.
Dirty end fitting can only be cleaned using a cloth
wetted with alcohol.

11.
Afterremovingsealingplugsand immediatelybefore
assembly, visually check the bore of pipes and
components. Where any dirt or moisture is

discovered,
the part must be rejected.
12. Ail components must be allowed to reach room
temperature before sealing plugs are removed.
This prevents condensation should the component
be cold initially.

13.
Before finally tightening hose connections ensure
that the hose lies in the correct position, is not
kinked or twisted and will not be trapped by
subsequent operations, e.g., refitting or closing
bonnet.

14.
Check that hoses are correctly fitted in clips or
straps.

15.
The compressor must be stored horizontally with
the sump down. It must not be rotated before fitting
and charging. Do not remove the shipping plate
until immediately before assembly. Always use
new "O" ring seals in those joints that incorporate

them.
"O" ring seals should be coated with
compressor oil before fitting.

16.
Components or hoses removed must be sealed
immediately after removal.
1 7. Afterthe system has been opened the receiver-drier
must be renewed.

18.
Before
testing,
run the engine until normal running
temperature is reached. This ensures that sufficient
vacuum is available for test. For cooling tests the
engine must be running for the compressor clutch
to operate.
8-34 May 1996

'^T?
Air Conditioning
Compressors
Compressors
Compressor Clutch Control
The compressor
pu I
ley
is
driven continuously when
the engine is running. An electromagnetic clutch
allows the compressortobeengagedordisengaged.
The clutch is energised by battery supply voltage
when the clutch relay RF3 is closed by a signal from
the ECM (pin 21) via the engine management

system.

6^
o>o 1
4
Figure 1
Figure 2
Key to Fig. 2

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
Condenser
Clutch relay supply
Compressor clutch
HSLP switch
Protection diode
Earth-ground
Key to Fig. 1

1.
+ve battery supply

2.
Clutch relay
3. Compressor clutch

4.
Pin 20 ECM supply to clutch relay solenoid
5. Earth-Ground
6. Earth-Ground
Trinary Switch
High Side Low Pressure Switch
The high side low pressure switch (HSLP) is
connected in the earth-ground return lead of the
compressor clutch
coil.
The switch is a function of
the trinary switch and monitors the pressure on the
high side of the refrigeration system. If the pressure
drops below 25 psi (+ 5 psi) the contacts open to de-
energise the clutch coil and disengage the clutch.
Low pressure occurs when there is a fault in the

system,
and the HSLP switch contacts remain open
until the fault has been rectified.
The condenser (Fig, 3) consists of a refrigerant coil
mounted in a series of thin cooling fins to provide
maximum heat transfer in the minimum amount of

space.
It is mounted directly behind the car radiator
and receives the fu
11
flow of ram air induced by the
forward motion of the car and the suction of the
cool ing
fan.
Refrigerant enters the inlet at the top of
the condenser as a high pressure hot vapour. As the
vapour passes down through the condenser coils
cooled by ram air, a large quantity of heat is
transferred to the outside air and the refrigerant
changes to a high pressure warm liquid.
May 1996 8-35