2001 DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY steering

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the center bezel from the instrument
panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
INSTRUMENT PANEL CENTER BEZEL - REMOV-
AL).
(3) Place the center bezel face down on a suitable
work surface. Be certain to take the proper precau-
tions to protect the face of the center bezel from cos-
metic damage.
(4) If the vehicle is equipped with the optional
ATC system, disconnect the ATC remote infrared
temperature sensor jumper harness from the sensor
connector receptacle located on the bottom of the cen-
ter outlet housing (Fig. 3).(5) Remove the three screws that secure the bot-
tom of the outlet housing to the center bezel.
(6) Roll the bottom of the outlet housing upwards
towards the top of the center bezel far enough to dis-
engage the retainer features on the top of the outlet
housing from their receptacles at the top of the cen-
ter bezel.
(7) Remove the center bezel outlets and housing
from the center bezel as a unit.
REMOVAL - DEMISTER OUTLET
(1) Using a trim stick or another suitable wide
flat-bladed tool, gently pry the outer perimeter of the
demister outlet away from the instrument panel top
pad until the snap features on the outlet are released
(Fig. 4).
(2) Remove the demister outlet from the demister
duct opening in the instrument panel top pad.
REMOVAL - FRONT DOOR REAR OUTLET
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the trim panel from the front door
inner panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/DOOR - FRONT/
TRIM PANEL - REMOVAL).
(3) Using a trim stick or another suitable wide
flat-bladed tool, depress the four latch features (two
top and two bottom) that secure the outlet to the
inside of the trim panel rear outlet opening and push
the outlet unit out through the opening (Fig. 5).
(4) Remove the front door rear outlet through the
outside of the front door trim panel outlet opening.
Fig. 3 Center Bezel Outlets
1 - CENTER BEZEL
2 - CENTER BEZEL OUTLETS
3 - SCREW (3)
4 - INSTRUMENT PANEL SWITCH BANK
5 - CONNECTOR (ATC ONLY)
6 - JUMPER HARHESS (ATC ONLY)
Fig. 4 Demister Outlet
1 - DEMISTER OUTLET
2 - INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP PAD
3 - TRIM STICK
RSDISTRIBUTION - FRONT24-43
AIR OUTLETS (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

BLOWER MOTOR
DESCRIPTION
The blower motor is a 12-volt, Direct Current (DC)
motor with a squirrel cage-type blower wheel that is
secured to the blower motor shaft (Fig. 7). The
blower motor and wheel are located near the passen-
ger side end of the heater-A/C unit within the two
halves of the intake air housing in the passenger
compartment below the instrument panel. The
instrument panel must be rolled rearward to access
the blower motor and blower wheel for service. The
blower motor and blower motor wheel are a factory
balanced unit and cannot be adjusted or repaired. If
faulty or damaged, the blower motor and blower
wheel must be replaced as a unit.
OPERATION
The blower motor will operate whenever the igni-
tion switch is in the On position and the heater-A/C
control power is turned on. The blower motor can
only be turned off by turning off the power at the
heater-A/C control. The blower motor receives battery
current whenever the front blower motor relay is
energized. The front blower motor relay output cir-
cuit is protected by a fuse in the Intelligent Power
Module (IPM) located in the engine compartment
near the battery. In the Manual system, the blower
motor speed is controlled by regulating the path to
ground through the blower control switch and the
blower motor resistor. In the ATC system, the blower
motor speed is controlled by an electronic blower
power module, which uses a pulse width modulated
input from the ATC module and feedback from the
blower motor to regulate the blower motor ground
path it provides. The blower motor and wheel are
used to control the velocity of air moving through the
heater-A/C unit housing. The blower motor controls
the velocity of the air flowing through the heater-A/C
housing by spinning the blower wheel within the
housing at the selected speed or, in the ATC system,
at the selected or programmed speed.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FRONT BLOWER
MOTOR
BLOWER MOTOR INOPERATIVE
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
Fig. 7 Blower Motor
1 - BLOWER MOTOR
2 - RUBBER GROMMET
3 - BLOWER MOTOR CONNECTOR
4 - MOUNTING TABS
RSDISTRIBUTION - FRONT24-45
ProCarManuals.com

WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - FRONT - WARNING - A/C PLUMBING),
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - FRONT - CAUTION - A/C PLUMBING),
and (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - FRONT - WARNING - HEATER PLUMB-
ING).
(1) Gently flex the recirculation air door far
enough to position the blower motor and blower
wheel into the blower housing in the lower half of the
evaporator housing (Fig. 9).
(2) Relocate the recirculation air door as necessary
to install and tighten the three screws that secure
the blower motor to the blower housing in the lower
half of the evaporator housing (Fig. 11). Tighten the
screws to 2 N´m (18 in. lbs.).
(3) Reach through the fresh air intake opening to
access and engage the upper pivot receptacle of the
recirculation air door with the pivot post of the upper
intake air housing.
(4) Feed the blower motor pigtail wires and har-
ness connector through the grommet hole in the
lower intake air housing and seat the rubber grom-
met (Fig. 10).
(5) Position the lower intake air housing onto the
evaporator housing and upper intake air housing. Be
certain that the splined output shaft of the recircula-
tion air door actuator is properly engaged with the
splined receptacle on the bottom of the recirculation
air door.(6) Install and tighten the three screws that secure
the lower air intake housing to the lower half of the
evaporator housing. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (18
in. lbs.).
(7) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the upper intake air housing to the lower intake air
housing. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (18 in. lbs.).
(8) Engage the HVAC wire harness take out for
the recirculation air door actuator with the routing
clips molded into the bottom of the lower intake air
housing.
(9) Reconnect the blower motor pigtail wire har-
ness connector to the connector receptacle of either
the blower motor resistor or power module, as the
vehicle is equipped.
(10) Reinstall the instrument panel into the vehi-
cle. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/DISTRIBUTION - FRONT/HVAC HOUSING -
INSTALLATION).
DEFROSTER DUCT
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the instrument panel from the vehicle.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY - REMOVAL).
(3) Place the instrument panel face down on a
suitable work surface. Be certain to take the proper
precautions to protect the face of the instrument
panel from cosmetic damage.
(4) Remove the fasteners that secure the defroster
duct to the instrument panel armature.
(5) Remove the defroster duct from the instrument
panel.
Fig. 11 Blower Motor Mounting Tabs
1 - BLOWER MOTOR
2 - RUBBER GROMMET
3 - BLOWER MOTOR CONNECTOR
4 - MOUNTING TABS
RSDISTRIBUTION - FRONT24-49
BLOWER MOTOR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

INSTALLATION
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Position the defroster duct to the instrument
panel.
(2) Install the fasteners that secure the defroster
duct to the instrument panel armature.
(3) Reinstall the instrument panel in the vehicle.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY - INSTALLA-
TION).
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
DEMISTER DUCTS
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the instrument panel from the vehicle.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY - REMOVAL).
(3) Place the instrument panel face down on a
suitable work surface. Be certain to take the proper
precautions to protect the face of the instrument
panel from cosmetic damage.(4) Remove the fasteners that secure the demister
ducts to the instrument panel armature.
(5) Disengage the demister ducts from the demis-
ter outlets.
(6) Remove the demister ducts from the instru-
ment panel.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Position the demister ducts to the instrument
panel.
(2) Engage the demister ducts to the demister out-
lets.
(3) Install the fasteners that secure the demister
ducts to the instrument panel armature.
(4) Reinstall the instrument panel into the vehicle.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY - INSTALLA-
TION).
(5) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
FLOOR DISTRIBUTION DUCTS
REMOVAL
(1) Roll back the carpet on the front floor from
under the instrument panel toward the rear of the
vehicle. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/CARPETS
AND FLOOR MATS - REMOVAL).
(2) Lift the center floor distribution duct upward
far enough to disengage its locator hole from the
weld stud on the front floor panel (Fig. 12).
(3) Pull the floor distribution duct assembly rear-
ward far enough to disengage the center floor distri-
bution duct from the outlet on the bottom of the
heater-A/C housing unit.
(4) Disassemble the right and/or left floor distribu-
tion ducts from the center floor distribution duct as
required.
24 - 50 DISTRIBUTION - FRONTRS
DEFROSTER DUCT (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

INSTALLATION
(1) Assemble the right and/or left floor distribution
ducts onto the center floor distribution duct as
required (Fig. 12).
(2) Slide the floor distribution duct assembly
under the instrument panel center stack far enough
to engage the center floor distribution duct with the
outlet on the bottom of the heater-A/C housing unit.
(3) Align the locator hole on the center floor distri-
bution duct with the weld stud on the front floor
panel.
(4) Using hand pressure, push the locator hole of
the center floor distribution duct down over the weld
stud on the front floor panel.
(5) Reinstall the carpet onto the front floor panel
and under the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INTERIOR/CARPETS AND FLOOR MATS -
INSTALLATION).
HVAC HOUSING
REMOVAL
WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - FRONT - WARNING - A/C PLUMBING),
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - FRONT - CAUTION - A/C PLUMBING),
and (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - FRONT - WARNING - HEATER PLUMB-
ING).WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant
system. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/PLUMBING - FRONT/REFRIGERANT -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT
RECOVERY).
(2) Drain the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM DRAIN).
(3) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(4) Disconnect the liquid line and suction line from
the expansion valve. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR
CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - FRONT/LIQUID
LINE - REMOVAL) and (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - FRONT/SUC-
TION LINE - REMOVAL).
(5) Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater
core tubes. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/PLUMBING - FRONT/HEATER HOSE -
REMOVAL).
(6) Remove the four nuts that secure the heater-
A/C unit housing studs to the engine compartment
side of the dash panel (Fig. 13).
(7) Remove the instrument panel from the passen-
ger compartment. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRU-
MENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY -
REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the floor distribution duct from the
heater-A/C unit housing. (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION - FRONT/
FLOOR DISTRIBUTION DUCTS - REMOVAL).
(9) Remove the one screw that secures the heater-
A/C unit housing bracket to the passenger compart-
ment side of the dash panel (Fig. 14).
(10) Pull the heater-A/C unit housing rearward far
enough for the mounting studs to clear the dash
panel and remove the unit from the passenger com-
partment.
Fig. 12 Floor Distribution Ducts
1 - CENTER FLOOR DISTRIBUTION DUCT
2 - RIGHT FLOOR DISTRIBUTION DUCT
3 - LEFT FLOOR DISTRIBUTION DUCT
4 - WELD STUD
RSDISTRIBUTION - FRONT24-51
FLOOR DISTRIBUTION DUCTS (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

INSTALLATION
(1) Position the heater-A/C unit housing against
the dash panel in the passenger compartment with
the four mounting studs located in their proper
mounting holes in the dash panel (Fig. 14).
(2) Install and tighten the one screw that secures
the heater-A/C unit housing bracket to the passenger
compartment side of the dash panel. Tighten the
screw to 3 N´m (26 in. lbs.).
(3) Install and tighten the four nuts that secure
the heater-A/C unit housing studs to the engine com-partment side of the dash panel (Fig. 13). Tighten
the nuts to 7 N´m (62 in. lbs.).
(4) Reinstall the floor distribution duct onto the
heater-A/C unit housing. (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION - FRONT/
FLOOR DISTRIBUTION DUCTS - INSTALLATION).
(5) Reinstall the instrument panel into the passen-
ger compartment. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRU-
MENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY -
INSTALLATION).
(6) Reconnect the heater hoses to the heater core
tubes. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING - FRONT/HEATER HOSE -
INSTALLATION).
(7) Reconnect the suction line and liquid line to
the expansion valve. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR
CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - FRONT/SUCTION
LINE - INSTALLATION) and (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - FRONT/
LIQUID LINE - INSTALLATION).
(8) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
(9) Refill the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM REFILL).
(10) Evacuate the refrigerant system. (Refer to 24
- HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT/REFRIGERANT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE).
(11) Charge the refrigerant system. (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT/REFRIGERANT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE).
PANEL DUCTS
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
Fig. 13 Heater-A/C Unit Housing Studs
1 - HEATER-A/C UNIT HOUSING
2 - DASH PANEL
3 - NUT (4)
4 - STUD (4)
Fig. 14 Heater-A/C Unit Housing
1 - HEATER-A/C UNIT HOUSING
2 - SCREW
3 - BRACKET
4 - DASH PANEL
24 - 52 DISTRIBUTION - FRONTRS
HVAC HOUSING (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

connector receptacle on the top of the expansion
valve.
(7) Remove the tape or plugs from the front liquid
line rear section and suction line fittings for the
expansion valve and both ports on the front of the
expansion valve.
(8) Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean
refrigerant oil and install them on the front liquid
line rear section and suction line fittings for the
expansion valve.
(9) Reconnect the liquid line and suction line fit-
tings to the expansion valve.
(10) Install and tighten the nut that secures the
suction line and liquid line fittings to the stud on the
expansion valve. Tighten the nut to 23 N´m (17 ft.
lbs.).
(11) Remove the tape or plugs from the liquid line
rear section fitting for the filter-drier and the filter-
drier outlet port.
(12) Lubricate a new rubber O-ring seal with clean
refrigerant oil and install it on the liquid line fitting.
(13) Reconnect the liquid line fitting to the filter-
drier outlet port on the top of the filter-drier.
(14) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
liquid line fitting to the filter-drier. Tighten the screw
to 2 N´m (18 in. lbs.).
(15) Reconnect the headlamp and dash wire har-
ness connector for the A/C pressure transducer to the
transducer on the front liquid line rear section.
(16) Reconnect the drain tube to the wiper module
drain on the right side of the engine compartment.
(17) Reinstall the air cleaner housing into the
right side of the engine compartment.
(18) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
(19) Evacuate the refrigerant system. (Refer to 24
- HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT/REFRIGERANT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE).
(20) Charge the refrigerant system. (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT/REFRIGERANT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE).
HEATER CORE
DESCRIPTION
The heater core is located in the distribution hous-
ing of the heater-A/C unit, under the instrument
panel. It is a heat exchanger made of rows of tubes
and fins. One end of the core is fitted with a molded
plastic tank that includes integral heater core inlet
and outlet ports. The removable heater core tubes
are held in place these ports by a sealing plate
secured with a screw to the heater core tank. This
removable heater core tube arrangement allows theheater core to be serviced without removing the heat-
er-A/C unit housing from the vehicle. The heater core
cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must
be replaced.
OPERATION
Engine coolant is circulated through heater hoses
to the heater core at all times. As the coolant flows
through the heater core, heat removed from the
engine is transferred to the heater core fins and
tubes. Air directed through the heater core picks up
the heat from the heater core fins. The blend air door
allows control of the heater output air temperature
by controlling how much of the air flowing through
the heater-A/C unit housing is directed through the
heater core.
REMOVAL- HEATER CORE EXTENSION TUBES
WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING FRONT - WARNING - HEATER PLUMB-
ING).
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Drain the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM DRAIN).
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater
hose tubes. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/PLUMBING - FRONT/HEATER HOSE -
REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the silencer from beneath the driver
side end of the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT
PANEL SILENCER - REMOVAL).
24 - 76 PLUMBING - FRONTRS
EXPANSION VALVE (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(5) Remove the three screws that secure the heater
core shield to the left end of the HVAC distribution
housing (Fig. 15).
(6) Pull the heater core shield rearward far enough
to disengage the two location tabs that position the
front of the shield to the receptacles in the two lower
finger formations of the evaporator housing near the
dash panel.
(7) Remove the heater core shield from the distri-
bution housing.
(8) Take the proper precautions to protect the car-
peting below the heater core from spilled engine cool-
ant and have absorbent toweling readily available to
clean up any spills.
(9) Remove the screw that secures the heater core
tube sealing plate to the heater core supply and
return ports (Fig. 16).
(10) Push both heater core tubes simultaneously
toward the dash panel far enough to disengage their
fittings from the heater core supply and return ports.
(11) Install plugs in, or tape over the opened
heater core tube fittings and both heater core ports.
(12) Use absorbent toweling to mop up any engine
coolant spills from the preceding operation.
(13) Pull both heater core tubes simultaneously
slightly away from the distribution housing and rear-
ward far enough to disengage the engine compart-
ment ends of the tubes from the dash panel seal.
(14) Remove the heater core tubes and sealing
plate as a unit from beneath the instrument panel.
(15) Use absorbent toweling to clean up any
engine coolant spills from the preceding operation.
REMOVAL - HEATER CORE
WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING FRONT - WARNING - HEATER PLUMB-
ING).
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Drain the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM DRAIN).
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
Fig. 15 Heater Core Shield
1 - HEATER/ AIR CONDITIONER HOUSING
2 - HEATER CORE SHIELD
3 - DISTRIBUTION HOUSING
4 - SCREWS (3)
5 - LOCATION TABS (2)
Fig. 16 Heater Core Tubes
1 - SEAL
2 - HEATER CORE TUBES
3 - SCREW
4 - HEATER CORE
5 - DISTRIBUTION HOUSING
6 - SEALING PLATE
RSPLUMBING - FRONT24-77
HEATER CORE (Continued)
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