1997 ASTON MARTIN DB7 Workshop Manual

^7

8-4
May
1996

Em^^^?
Air Conditioning
General Description
General Description
Specifications
Refrigerant
Designation
Refrigerant R134A

(HFCUAA)

Compressor
Type
&
model
SD-7H15
Charge weight
1050g±50g
Configuration
7 cylinder
Compressor Lubricants
Designation
Polyalkylene glycol
(PAG)

Standard
for
Recovery, Recharge
and
Recycle Equipment,
System Capacity
120-150
ml

Manufacturer and Type
ICI Klea
or
equivalent

Manufacturer

Sanden
155 cm^
per
revolution
Manufacturer and Type
Sanden SP
20

Feature

Recovery rate
Cleaning capability
Oil separator
Vacuum pump
Filter

Charge

Hoses
Charge pressure
Compressor Belt Tension
Type
Vee belt
Burroughs method
Clavis method
Requirement

0.014-0.062
mVmin.
(1.36 kg in 20
minutes)
15
ppm
moisture; 4000
ppm oil; 330 ppm
non-condensable gases
in air

With hermetic compressor and automatic
oil
return
2 stage
0.07
-0.127 mVmin.
Replaceable with moisture indicator
Selectable charge weight and automatic delivery
Dedicated Refrigerant R134A port connections.
Heating element
to
increase pressure
Condition and range
All figures apply
to a
cold belt.
New belt
578 to 623 N

If tension
is
below
356 N,
reset
at 512 to 534 N

New belt
147 to 153 Hz

If tension
is
below
110 Hz,
reset
at 132 to 138 Hz

Note:
The
tension
is
measured
midway between the
compressor
and crankshaft pulleys. For a new
belt,
rotate engine three
revolutions minimum and then re-check the tension.

May 1996
8-5

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
System Description
System Description
The in-car temperature and humidity are regulated by the electronically controlled air conditioning system. The
system comprises four subsystems:
• heater matrix, supplied with water from the engine cooling system
• refrigeration
• vacuum
• electronic control
Apart from the ambient temperature sensor and the aspirated in-car temperature sensor, most of the components
are housed in the air conditioning unit (Fig. 1) situated behind the dash board, or in the engine compartment.
Figure 1.
Key to Fig. 1 - Left Hand Air Conditioning Unit

1.
Upper feedback potentiometer

2.
Water temperature switch
3. Lower feedback potentiometer

4.
Vacuum valve block
5. Vacuum restrictor
6. Condensate drain tube
Figure 2.
Key to Fig. 2 - Right Hand Air Conditioning Unit

1.
Upper servo motor

2.
Electronic control module
3. Lower servo motor

4.
Evaporator sensor
5. Condensate drain tube
Special Servicing Tools and Equipment
1 PDU system
1 Charging station
1 Leak detector
1 Temperature test box
1 Sanden compressor service tool kit
1 CM Type compressor service tool kit
1 Digital voltmeter
1 Multimeter
May 1996 8-7

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

^7
Air Conditioning
Temperature Distribution System
Temperature Distribution System
The heating and ventilation unit case consists of three sections:
• the front, which contains the air conditioning system evaporator
• the rear section, which consists of two parts and contains the heater matrix and rotary flaps
• the lower outlets which direct air to footwell and rear passenger compartment and are removable.
Temperature variation within the car
is
achieved by all incoming air passing through the evaporator and then being
directed through or around the heater matrix by rotary flaps:
• Full heating (Fig.1)
• Defrost (Fig. 2)
• Full cooling (Fig. 3)
Blend (Fig. 4)
Figure 1.
Figure
2.

Figure
3.
Figure
4.
The rotary flaps are opened or closed by servo motors, as directed by the control system, and flap position
information is relayed to the ECM by feedback potentiometers.
(Solid arrow = Hot, Line arrow = Cold)
May 1996 8-9

Air Conditioning
Temperature Distribution System
The Control Panel (Fig. 4) contains:
• Fan speed-defrost rotary switch (Mode-Switch),
• Air Conditioning Function Switch
• Temperature differential rotary control
• Temperature rotary control,
The control panel relays information to the ECM.
Figure 4.
Fan Speed Control (Mode Switch)
The rotary switch controls airflow from the blower motors. The switch has five positions: 3C, 1, 2,3 and DEFROST.
«» The system is not operational; a residual signal is sent to the Electronic Control Module (ECM)
to ensure that the blower flaps are closed to prevent outside air from entering the system.

1,
2,3 Selection information is relayed to the ECM. Signals are also relayed to the ECM from the
temperature selector feedback circuits and various sensors. Fan speed is steplessly controlled
by the ECM, within the ranges 1, 2 and 3.
DEFROST the fans operate at maximum speed, front screen vents open fully, lower flaps close fully and
maximum output is directed to the windscreen (there may be a delay of up to 30 seconds from
selection to execution of this function).
Face Level Temperature Differential
This control is used to vary the temperature difference between the air coming through the face vents and that coming
through the lower vents into the footwell.
Temperature Rotary Control
This is used to preset the in car heat level in either automatic or manual mode. There are three temperature sensors
located in the system:
• Exterior ambient
• In-car
• Evaporator.
An input voltage is supplied to the sensors from AC4-13 of the control module. The temperature sensing signal from
the sensors is transmitted to the control module via AC4-4 and AC2-4 respectively. The sensors are semiconductor
devices which provide a voltage output proportional to the sensed temperature.
8-10 May 1996

^7
Air Conditioning
Temperature Distribution System
Air Conditioning Function Switch
When AC, DEM or Re-circulation ^v is selected the system engages the Air conditioning compressor using the
electromagnetic clutch. The in-car temperature is automatically corrected to the pre selected level by the system
sensors.
When MAN (manual mode) is selected it provides the operator selection of fan speed and in-car temperature
selection facilities. The in-car temperature is not thermostatically corrected to a predetermined level by the system
sensors.
When ECO is selected the system is in economy mode which allows the fan speed and heating levels to be selected
but gives no cooling. The air conditioning compressor is not engaged putting a minimum load on the engine.
When manual re-circulation is selected the blower flaps are closed and only that air which is in the vehicle is re­

circulated.
When the ignition is turned off the blower flaps revert to the fresh air position.
Refrigeration Cycle
The Compressor draws low pressure refrigerant from the evaporator and by compression, raises refrigerant
temperature and pressure. High pressure, hot vaporised refrigerant enters the Condenser where it is cooled by the
flow of ambient air. A change of state occurs as the refrigerant cools in the condenser and it becomes a reduced
temperature high pressure liquid.
Figure 5.

1.

2.

3.
Compressor
Condenser
Receiver-Drier

4.
Expansion Valve
5. Evaporator
6. Triple Pressure Switch (Trinary switch)
May 1996 8-11