1997 HONDA CIVIC Temperature

Overhaul -'96 - 98 Models
HEATER FAN SWITCHTest, page 21-49
Air Mix Control Cable Replacomenl
1. Cut the inner cable on the lever side of the cable holder, then remove both pieces of the inner cable.
2. Using a sharp knife, cut completely through the end of the cable housing at the two locations.
3. Slidethe largesection ofthecable housing outofthe cable holder, being careful not to da mage the cable stops.
4. Carefully remove the cut pieces of the cable housing with a small flat tip screwdriver.
5. Hook the tip of the new air mix control cable to the temperature control lever, then push the cable housing into the
cable holder until it locks into place.
NOTE: After assembly, check that the temperature control lever slides smoothly through the full stroke lrom right to left.
21-43

Temperature Control
Adjustment -'96 - 98 Models
1. From under the hood, disconnect the heater valve
cable from the heater valve.
TERVALVECABLEHEATER VALVE ARM
2.From under the dash, disconnect the air mix control
cable housing from the cable clamp,
AIR MIXCONTROLARM
3.Set the temperature control lever to MAX. COOL.
With the air mix control cable attached to the air
mix control arm, gently pull on the outer cable
housing to fully close the door and to remove any
slack in the cable. Don't pullto hard, or the temper-
ature control lever will move.
Hold the air mix control arm against the stop. then
snap the air mix control cable housing into the
cable clamp.
21-44
6. From under the hood. move the heater valve arm to
the fully closed position. then attach the heater
valve cable to the heater valve arm.
7. Hold the heater valve arm in the closed position,
and gently pull on the heater cable outer housing to
take up any slack. then install the heater valve cable
housing into the cable clamp.
HEATER VALVE ARM

Adjustment -'99 - 00 Models
1. From under the hood, open the cable clamp, then
disconnect the heater valve cable from the heater
valve arm.
From under the dash. disconnect the heater valve
cable housing from the cable clamp, and disconnect
the heater valve cable from the air mix control arm.
HEATER VALVE CABLE
Set the temperature control dial on MAX COOL with
the ignition switch ON {ll).
Attach the heater valve cable to the air mix control
arm as shown above. Hold the end of the heater
valve cable housing against the stop, then snap the
heater valve cable housing into the cable clamp.
HEATER VALVE ARM
5. From under the hood. turn the heater valve arm to
the fullv closed oosition as shown, and hold it,
Attach the heater valve cable to the heater valve
arm, and gently pull on the heater valve cable hous-
ing to take up any slack, then install the heater valve
cable housing into the cable clamp.
HEATER VALVE ARM
21-45

Description
Outline
The air conditioner system removes heat from the passenger compartment by circulating refrigerant through the system
as shown below.
BLOWER FAN
EVAPORATOR(Absorption of heati
EOUALIZING TUBE(Meters pressure andimproves the expansionvalve reaction time)
into the evaporator)CAPILLATY TUBE SENSING BULB
lControls the temPerature of the
ref rigerant leaving the evaporator
by metering the expansion valve)
/\
THERMOSTAT
A/C PRESSURE SWITCH
When the refrigerant is below
200 kPa (2.0 kgtcm',28 Psi)or above 3,200 kPa 132 kgflcm',
455 psi), the Ay'C pressure
switch opens the circuit to
the A,/C switch and stops the
EXPANSION VALVE(Meters the requiredamount of refrigerant
airconditioning to Protect the
compressor.
RECEIVER/DRYER(Traps debris, andremoves morsturel
THERMAL PROTECTOR
{Opens the comPressorclutch circuit when the
compressor temPeraturebecomes too high)
RELIEF VALVE(Relieves pressure at the
compressor when thepressure is too high)
(Radiation of heat)
I
f-r--; I
(Suction and comPression,
HIGH PRESSURE VAPOR
HtGH PRESSUBE LIOUID
LOW PRESSURE LIOUID
This car uses HFC-134a (R-134a) refrigerant which does not contain chlorofluorocarbons Pay attention to the following
service items:
. Do not mix refrigerants CFC-12 (R-12) and HFC-134a (R-134a)' They are not compatible'
. Useonlythe recommended polyalkyieneglycol (PAG) refrigerant oil designedforthe R-134a compressor (SANDEN: SP-
10; DENSO: ND_OIL8). Intermixing ihe re-commended (pAG) refrigerant oil with any other refrigerant oil will result in
compressor failure.
. All A,,ic system parts {compressor, discharge line, suction line, evaporator, condenser, receiver/dryer, expansion valve'
O-rings for joints) have to be proper for refrigerant R- 134a Do not confuse with R-l2 parts'
. Use a halogen gas leak detector designed for refrigerant R-134a
. R-12 and R-134a refrigerant servacing equipment are not interchangeable. Use only a recovery/recycling/charging station
that is u,L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of sAE J2210 to service R-134a air conditioning systems'
. Always recover the refrigerant R-134a with an approved recovery/recycling/charging station before disconnecting any
A,/C fitting.
S]
22-5

A/C System Service
Performance Test
The performance test will help determine if the air con-
ditioner system is operating within specifications.
Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is cer-
tified to meet the reouirements of SAE J2210 to remove
HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioner system.
CAUTION: Exposure to air conditionor rofrigerant and
lubricant vapor or mist can irrilalo €yes, nose and
throat. Avoid breathing tho air conditioner rstrigerrnt
and lubricant vapor or mist,
lf accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work
area before resuming service.
R-134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioner sys-
tems should not be pressure tested or leak tested with
compressed air.
@ some mixtur$ of air and R-134a have been
shown lo b9 combustible rt glgvatad pr€ssur63 and can
resull in tire 01 oxplosion causing inlury ot property
damage. Never uao compre33ed air to pressure t99t R-
134a ssrvico 6quipmsnt or vohicla air conditioner sys-
tems.
Additional health and safety information may be obtained
from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.
'1. Connect a R-134a refrigerant recover/recycling/
charging station to the vehicle, as shown, following
the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
2. lnsert a thermometer in the center vent outlet.
Determine the relative humidity and air tempera-
ture,
Test conditions:
. Avoid direct sunlight.
. Open hood.
. Open front doors.
. Set the temDerature control lever or dial to MAX,
COOL, the mode control switch or dial on VENT
and the recirculation control switch on RECIRCU-
LATE.
. Turn the A,/C switch on. and the heater fan switch
on MAX.
. Run the engine at 1,500 rpm.
. No driver or passengers in vehicle
After running the air conditioning for 10 minutes
under the above test conditions, read the delivery
temperature from the thermometer in the dash vent
and the high and low system pressure from the A,/C
gauges.
Recovery/Rocycling/Charging Station
22-24

5. To complete the charts:
. Mark the delivery temperature along the venical line.
. Mark the intake temperatu re (am bient a ir temperatu re) alongthe bottom line.
. Draw a line straight up from the air temperature to the humidity.
. Mark a point 10% above and 10% below the humidity level.
. From each point. draw a horizontal line across the delivery temperature.
. The deliverv temperature should fall between the two lines.
. Complete the low side pressure test and high side pressure test in the same way.
. Any measurements outside the line may indicate the need for further inspection.
rct86 -l
r3ol
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nt
300{3}I€I
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kPalkgf/cm'llpsilaoy.30io2900 -
(30)
I€OI
2500 -
(25)
13601
2000 -
t20lt280t
1500 -
{15112101DELIVERYPRESSURE980 -
(101
lr40l
DELIVERYPRESSURE
80%
kPa{kgf/cm')lpsil
400 -
{4)t571
INTAXEPRESSURE
100tll
INTAKE 1141
PRESSURE
0
DELIVERYTEMPERATURE
68 77 86 95 10il 'F
(2ot t2sl t3o) 135) l4ol {"c)
INTAKE TEMPERATURE
22-25

A/C System Service
Pressure Test Chart
NOTE: Performance Test is on page 22-24,
Test resultsRelated symptomsProbabl€ causeRemedy
Discharge (high)
pressure aDnor-
mally high
After stopping compressor. pres-
sure drops to about 200 kPa
{2.0 kgflcm,,28 psi) quickly, and
then falls gradually.
Air in systemRecover, evacuate, and
recharge with specified amount.
Evacuation: see page 22-45
Charging: see page 22-46
Reduced or no air flow through
condenser
. Clogged condenser fins. Condenser fan not work-
ing properly
Clean.
Check voltage and fan rpm.
Check fan direction.
Line to condenser is excessively
hot.
Restricted flow of refriger-
ant in system
Restricted lines
Discharge pres-
sure abnormally
High and low pressures are bal-
anced soon after stopping compres-
sor, Low side is higher than normal.
. Faulty compressor dis-
charge valve. Faulty compressor seal
Replace the compressor.
Outlet of expansion valve is not
frosted, low pressure gauge indi-
cales vacuum.
. Faulty expansion valve. Moisture in system
. Replace,. Recover, evacuate, and
recharge with specified
amount.
Suction (low)
pressure abnor-
mally low
Expansion valve is not frosted, and
low oressure line is not cold. Low
pressure gauge indicates vacuum.
. Frozen expansion valve. Faulty expansion valve
ReDlace the exoansion valve.
Discharge temperature is low. and
the air flow from vents is restricted.
Frozen evaporatorRun the fan with compressor
off. then check A,/C thermostat.
Exoansion valve is frosted.Clogged expansion valveClean or replace.
Receiver/dryer outlet is cool, and
inlet is warm (should be warm
during operation).
Clogged receiver/dryerReplace.
Suction pres-
sure abnormally
hig h
Low pressure hose and check
joint are cooler than the tempera-
ture around evaporator.
. Expansion valve open too
long. Loose expansion capillary
tube
Repair or replace.
Suction oressure is lowered when
condenser is cooled bv water.
Excessive refrigerant in sys-
tem
Recover. evacuate, and
recharge with specified amount.
High and low pressure are equal-
ized as soon as the compressor is
stopped, and both gauges fluctu-
ate while running.
Faulty gasket
Faulty high pressure valve
Foreign particle stuck in
high pressure valve
Replace the compressor.
Suction and dis-
charge pres-
sures abnormally
h igh
Reduced air flow through con-
denser.
. Clogged condenser fins. Condenser fan not work-
ing properly
Clean condenser.
Check voltage and fan rpm.
Check fan direction.
Suction and dis-
charge pressure
abnormally low
Low pressure hose and metal end
areas are cooler than evaporator.
Clogged or kinked low pres-
sure hose parts
Repair or replace.
Temperature around expansion
valve is too low compared with
that around receiver/dryer.
Clogged high pressure lineRepair or replace.
Refrigerant leaksCompressor clutch is diny,Compressor shaft seal leakingReplace the compressor.
Compressor bolt{s) are diny.Leaking around bolt(s)Tighten bolt(s) or replace com-
pressor.
Compressor gasket is wet with oil.Gasket leakingReplace the compressor.
22-26

Evaporator
1.
Replacement
4.
Move the temperature control to "HOl"
'96-98: Slide the temoerature control lever.'99-00: Turn the ignition switch ON (ll), then turn
the temperature contol knob. Turn the ignition
switch off.
Remove the battsry.
Rgcover the refrigerant with a rocovery/recycling/
charging station (see page 22-271.
Remove the bolts, then disconnect th6 suction 8nd
receiver lines from th6 evaoorator.
NOTE: Plug or cap the lines imm€diatoly after dis-
connecting them to avoid moisture and dust con-
tamination.
6xl.0mm9.8 n*ln ll.0 tg6m.7.2 lbt frl
RECEiVER UNE
Remove the glov6 box (see section 20).
Removo the self-tapping scr€w and the passeng€r's
dashboard lower cover. Removs the bolt. the nut
8nd the kn€e bolst6r, th6n r6mov6 th6 fiv6 bolts and
the glove box frame.
6.
srrcrrc u E
22-28
7. Disconnect the connector from th€ Ay'C thermostat,
and r€movs the wire harness from the ovaporator.
Remov6 tho four self-tapping screws, tho mounting
bolt and ths mounting nut. Disconnect th€ drain
hose, then remov€ th6 avagorator.
6 x l.0.nm9.8 l$m lt.o ldm, 7.2 bl.tt)
Install in the reverse order of removal. Make note of
th€ following items.
o lf you'r6 installing a new evaporator, add rofriger-
ANt OiI {SANDEN, SP-10 Or DENSO, ND-OIL 8)
lsas page 22-221.
. Replace the O-rings with now ones 8t 68ch titting,
and apply 8 thin coat of r€frlgersd oil before
installing them.
NOTE: Be sure to use the right O-rings for HFC-
134a (R-134a) to avoid loakago.
. Apply s€alant to tha grommets.
. Mske sure that ther€ is no air leakage.
. Chargs ths system {s€€ page 22-161, and tost its
performance (see pags 22-211.