2002 CHRYSLER CARAVAN coolant temperature

FRONT CONTROL PANEL
The front control panel and integral computer is
mounted in the instrument panel.
The instrument panel mounted control and inte-
gral computer contains:
²a power button which allows the system to be
completely turned off.
²rear window defogger on/off switch.
²slide controls for completely independent side-to-
side temperature control of the discharge air. The full
range of temperature that the system can produce in
any mode is available on either side of the vehicle by
independently positioning the slide controls on the
instrument panel.
²air recirculation button. The Recirculate button
contains an LED that illuminates to show when the
function is in operation.
²an air conditioning button that allows the com-
pressor to be turned on/off. The Snowflake button
contains an LED that illuminates to shown when the
function is in operation.
²rotary knobs for front and rear fan speed selec-
tion.
²a rotary knob for mode control.
REAR CONTROL PANEL
A rear control panel centrally mounted on the
headliner has a rotary adjustment for temperature
and fan speed control of the rear unit by intermedi-
ate seat passengers when the front control rear knob
is set to the rear position.
DESCRIPTION - THREE ZONE AUTOMATIC
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
The Three-Zone Automatic Temperature Control
(ATC) allows occupants to select a comfort tempera-
ture, which is the perceived temperature level not
the actual passenger compartment air temperature.
The Three Zone Automatic Temperature Control
system includes a dust and odor air filter. The filter
element is the same size as the air conditioning evap-
orator to ensure ample capacity. A door at the base of
the heater and air conditioning housing below the
glove box provides easy access to the filter element.
The ATC computer utilizes integrated circuitry and
information carried on the Programmable Communi-
cations Interface (PCI) data bus network to monitor
many sensors and switch inputs throughout the vehi-
cle. In response to those inputs, the internal circuitry
and programming of the ATC computer allow it to
control electronic functions and features of the ATC
system. The inputs to the ATC computer are:
²Vehicle Speed/Engine RPM± The ATC com-
puter monitors engine RPM, vehicle speed and Man-
ifold Absolute Pressure information from the PCM.²Coolant Temperature± ATC computer moni-
tors Coolant temperature received from the PCM and
converts it to degrees Fahrenheit.
²Ambient Temperature± ATC computer moni-
tors Ambient temperature from the Compass Mini
Trip Computer (CMTC) and converts it to degrees
Fahrenheit.
²Engine Miscellaneous Sensor Status±ATC
computer monitors A/C disable information from the
PCM.
²Refrigerant Pressure± ATC computer moni-
tors Barometric Pressure, Intake Air Temperature,
High Side Pressure and Methanol Content as broad-
cast by the PCM.
²Door Ajar Status± The ATC computer moni-
tors Driver Front Door, Passenger Front Door, Left
Rear Door, Right Rear Door and Liftgate ajar infor-
mation, as identified by the Body Control Module
(BCM), to determine if all in-car temperatures should
be maintained.
²Dimming± The ATC computer monitors dim-
ming status from the BCM to determine the required
level of brightness and will dim accordingly.
²Vehicle Odometer± The ATC computer moni-
tors the vehicle odometer information from the BCM
to prevent flashing the VF tube icons if the manual
motor calibration or manual cool down tests have
failed. Flashing of the display icons will cease when
the vehicle odometer is greater than 3 miles.
²English Metric± The ATC computer monitors
the English/Metric information broadcast by the
CMTC. The set temp displays for both the front and
rear control heads will be set accordingly.
²Vehicle Identification Number± The ATC
computer monitors the last eight characters of the
VIN broadcast by the PCM and compares it to the
information stored in EEPROM. If it is different, the
new number will be stored over the old one and a
motor calibration shall be initiated.
²A/C System Information± The ATC computer
will send a message for Evaporator Temperature too
Low, Fan Blower Relay status, Evaporator Sensor
Failure, Rear Window Defogger Relay and A/C Select.
FRONT CONTROL PANEL
The front control panel and integral computer is
mounted in the instrument panel.
The instrument panel mounted control and inte-
gral computer contains:
²A power button which allows the system to be
completely turned off. The display is blank when the
system is off.
²Three rocker switches that select comfort tem-
peratures from 15É to 30É C (59É to 85É F), which are
shown in the vacuum-fluorescent digital control dis-
play. If the set temp is 59 and the down button is
24 - 2 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONINGRS
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

REAR CONTROL PANEL
With the rear control active, temperature selection
dictates indirectly the mode (floor or overhead air) of
the rear unit: a low temperature setting directs flow
to the overhead outlets and a high temperature set-
ting to the floor.
OPERATION - THREE ZONE ATC
Comfort temperature or perceived temperature is
affected by air flow, sun impinging on exposed skin,
etc. The air temperature may be higher or lower than
the comfort temperature. Three infrared sensors, two
in the instrument panel center stack, and one in the
overhead-mounted rear control panel, independently
measure the temperature of the driver, front passen-
ger, and rear compartment occupants to determine
their comfort level relative to the selected comfort
temperature. The HVAC computer in the control
module adjusts the air flow rate and temperature to
maintain the customer-perceived comfort tempera-
ture. The air temperature in the passenger compart-
ment at any time may be slightly higher or lower
than the comfort temperature. For instance, on
sunny summer days the air flow will probably be
cooler than the comfort temperature; on cold or
cloudy days and at night it will probably be slightly
warmer. Infrared Three-Zone Temperature Control
provides side-to-side and front-to-rear variation in
comfort temperature settings. The Infrared Three-
Zone Automatic Temperature Control fan provides a
continuously variable air flow rate to meet occupant
comfort requirements.
FRONT CONTROL PANEL
²AUTO HI/LO± This system features two sets of
automatic control logic that allow either a rapid cool-
down rate or a somewhat slower cool-down rate with
less fan noise. HI-AUTO controls the system to reach
its assigned temperature quickly with a higher fan
speed. LO-AUTO controls the system to reach its
assigned temperature somewhat slower with less fan
noise. Both modes will automatically engage auto
recirculation.
²DE-FROST± The front de-frost function is
active when the rear window defogger function is
active or when the defog/defrost mode is selected.
²RECIRC± The RECIRC button will close the
air inlet door. If the system is in auto recirc (indica-
tor being displayed automatically), pressing the man-
ual recirc button will disable the auto recirc function
until one of the auto keys are pressed or the ignition
is cycled. If Auto HI/LO is pressed while manual
recirc is active, manual recirc will be deactivated.
²REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER± Pushing the
button sends a PCI bus message to the Intelligent
Power Module which controls the Rear WindowDefogger and side view mirror (if equipped) circuitry.
The defogger function will be active for 10 minutes
and can be turned off by a switch press. The defogger
will function while the control is in the OFF mode.
²FAN/MODE± The Fan and Mode knobs have
17 manual selectable positions. Manually changing
either of the rotary knobs for mode or fan speed set-
tings makes control of that function alone manual for
as long as the ignition is on. If only one is changed
manually, the other remains under automatic control.
Pressing the HI-AUTO/LO-AUTO rocker switch
restores full automatic control.
²REAR CONTROL± When the Rear System
control knob is moved to the OFF position, there will
be a delay of approximately 1 second before the sys-
tem actually turns off. This delay is to prevent an
undesired blower dropout if the knob is moved
through OFF to the other selections.
²BLOWER DELAY TIMER± The word DELAY
is displayed at start-up to signify that the system is
waiting so that cold air will not be blowing. This tells
the operator that it is unnecessary to turn the sys-
tem off, raise the temperature setting or turn the fan
speed setting down to prevent cold air from blowing.
A countdown in minutes and seconds until the engine
is warm enough to begin delivering heat to the pas-
sengers alternates with the DELAY message at 25
second intervals. This countdown is based on actual
measurement of the rate of engine coolant tempera-
ture change. During the delay time, Defrost mode is
selected and the fan operates at a low speed to keep
the windshield fog free.
REAR CONTROL PANEL
Primary control of the rear compartment unit is in
the instrument panel center stack. The rear unit con-
trol knob there allows the driver to turn the rear
unit off, allow control by the intermediate seat occu-
pants by switching to the REAR position, or provide
fully automatic control based on the temperature set-
ting shown on the front control display.
²REAR CONTROL± Selecting automatic control
of the rear unit at the instrument panel, illuminates
a Locked Padlock in the rear control panel display.
Selecting REAR activates the rear control panel and
the Padlock then appears unlocked.
²FAN KNOB± The rear fan control has Off and
AUTO positions and a range of manual speed set-
tings that override the AUTO setting.
²MODE KNOB± The mode control allows inter-
mediate seat occupants to manually override the
automatic mode and select any balance of air flow
between overhead and floor outlets from full over-
head to full floor.
²SET TEMP± The rear set temp control will
operate identical to the front controls. If the front
24 - 4 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONINGRS
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(7) With the compressor clutch engaged, record the
left center panel outlet discharge air temperature,
the discharge pressure (high side service port), and
the suction pressure (low side service port). The com-
pressor clutch may cycle, depending upon the ambi-
ent temperature and humidity. If the clutch cycles,
use the readings obtained before the clutch disen-
gaged.
(8) Compare the discharge air temperature read-
ing to the Performance Temperature and Pressurechart. If the temperature reading is high, check the
refrigerant system for leaks and proper refrigerant
charge level. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/PLUMBING - FRONT/REFRIGERANT -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM LEAKS) and (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR
CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - FRONT/REFRIGER-
ANT - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REFRIGER-
ANT SYSTEM CHARGE LEVEL).
Performance Temperature and Pressure
Ambient Temperature 21É C
(70É F)27É C
(80É F)32É C
(90É F)38É C
(100É F)43É C
(110É F)
Left Center Panel
Outlet Discharge Air
Temperature1to8ÉC
(34 to 46É F)3to9ÉC
(37 to 49É F)4 to 10ÉC
(39 to 50É F)6to11ÉC
(43 to 52É F)7 to 18É C
(45 to 65É F)
Discharge Pressure
(High Side Service
Port)1034 to 1724
kPa
(150 to 250
psi)1517 to 2275
kPa
(220 to 330
psi)1999 to 2620
kPa
(290 to 380
psi)2068 to 2965
kPa
(300 to 430
psi)2275 to 3421
kPa
(330 to 450 psi)
Suction Pressure (Low
Side Service Port)103 to 207 kPa
(15 to 30 psi)117 to 221 kPa
(17 to 32 psi)138 to 241 kPa
(20 to 35 psi)172 to 269 kPa
(25 to 39 psi)207 to 345 kPa
(30 to 50 psi)
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HEATER
PERFORMANCE TEST
PRE-DIAGNOSTIC PREPARATIONS
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).
Check the coolant level, drive belt tension, radiator
air flow, and cooling fan operation. Start the engine
and allow it to warm up to normal temperature.
MAXIMUM HEATER OUTPUT: TEST AND ACTION
Engine coolant is provided to the heater system by
two 16 mm (5/8 inch inside diameter) heater hoses.
With the engine idling at normal running tempera-
ture, set the heater-A/C controls as follows. Temper-
ature control to full Heat, Mode control to Floor,
Blower control to the highest speed setting. Using a
test thermometer, check the air temperature coming
from the center floor outlets and compare this read-
ing to the Temperature Reference table.
TEMPERATURE REFERENCE
AMBIENT
TEMPERATUREMINIMUM FLOOR
OUTLET
TEMPERATURE
CELSIUS FAHRENHEIT CELSIUS FAHRENHEIT
15.5É 60É 62.2É 144É
21.1É 70É 63.8É 147É
26.6É 80É 65.5É 150É
32.2É 90É 67.2É 153É
If the floor outlet air temperature is insufficient,
check that the cooling system is operating to specifi-
cations. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE - DIAGNO-
SIS AND TESTING). Both heater hoses should be
HOT to the touch (the coolant return hose should be
slightly cooler than the supply hose). If the coolant
return hose is much cooler than the supply hose,
locate and repair the engine coolant flow obstruction
in heater system.
POSSIBLE LOCATIONS OR CAUSE OF OBSTRUCTED
COOLANT FLOW
²Pinched or kinked heater hoses.
²Improper heater hose routing.
²Plugged heater hoses or supply and return ports
at cooling system connections.
²Plugged heater core.
²Air locked heater core.
²Restrictor in backwards.
24 - 6 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONINGRS
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

If coolant flow is verified and the heater floor out-
let temperature is insufficient, a mechanical problem
may exist.
POSSIBLE LOCATION OR CAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT HEAT
²Obstructed cowl air intake.
²Obstructed heater system outlets.
²Blend-air door not functioning properly.TEMPERATURE CONTROL
If heater floor outlet temperature cannot be
adjusted with the heater-A/C control temperature
control lever, one of the following could require ser-
vice:
²Blend-air door binding.
²Faulty blend-air door motor.
²Improper engine coolant temperature.
²Faulty heater-A/C control.
SPECIFICATIONS - HEATER-A/C SYSTEM
ITEM DESCRIPTION NOTES
Vehicle RS - Caravan, Town & Country, Voyager
System R134a with expansion valve(s)
Compressor Nippondenso - 10S20 ND-8 PAG Oil
Freeze±up Control evaporator temperature sensor expansion valve mounted - input
to heater-A/C control module
Low PSI Control liquid line mounted - input to
Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
- PCM opens compressor clutch
relay < 29.4 psi
High PSI Control pressure transducer liquid line mounted - input to
PCM - PCM opens compressor
clutch relay > 450 psi
pressure relief valve compressor mounted - opens >
495 psi
Control Head single zone, dual zone, and three zone
Manual Temperature Control (MTC) - or three
zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)PCI data bus messaging - ATC
uses three infrared temperature
sensors - two front/one rear
Mode Door electric actuator Control head driven
Blend Air Door electric actuator
Fresh/Recirc Door electric actuator
Blower Motor control head switch resistor and relay with MTC,
power module and relay with ATC
Cooling Fans pulse width modulated variable speed PCM control through solid state
fan relay
Clutch
Clutch Control PCM PCM control through compressor
clutch relay
Clutch Coil Draw 2.2 amps @ 12V   0.5amps@ 70É F
Compressor Clutch Air Gap 0.0209- 0.0359
Diagnostics DRBIIITscan tool
RSHEATING & AIR CONDITIONING24-7
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

PLUMBING - FRONT
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE DCHA IN AN
ENCLOSED AREA SUCH AS A GARAGE THAT
DOES NOT HAVE EXHAUST VENTILATION FACILI-
TIES. ALWAYS VENT THE DCHA'S EXHAUST WHEN
OPERATING THE DCHA. FAILURE TO FOLLOW
THESE INSTRUCTION MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL
INJURY OR DEATH.
ALLOW THE DCHA ASSEMBLY TO COOL BEFORE
PERFORMING A COMPONENT INSPECTION/RE-
PAIR/REPLACEMENT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS MY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
VERIFY THAT ALL DCHA FUEL LINES ARE
SECURELY FASTENED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE
COMPONENTS BEFORE THIS PROCEDURE.
WARNING
WARNING:: THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM IS
DESIGNED TO DEVELOP INTERNAL PRESSURES
OF 97 TO 123 KILOPASCALS (14 TO 18 POUNDS
PER SQUARE INCH). DO NOT REMOVE OR
LOOSEN THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP, CYLIN-
DER BLOCK DRAIN PLUGS, RADIATOR DRAIN,
RADIATOR HOSES, HEATER HOSES, OR HOSE
CLAMPS WHILE THE SYSTEM IS HOT AND UNDER
PRESSURE. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING
CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS BURNS FROM THE
HEATED ENGINE COOLANT. ALLOW THE VEHICLE
TO COOL FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 MINUTES
BEFORE OPENING THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR
SERVICE.
WARNING: THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM CON-
TAINS ANTIFREEZE. ANTIFREEZE IS AN ETHYLENE
GLYCOL BASED COOLANT AND IS HARMFUL IF
SWALLOWED OR IF THE VAPORS ARE INHALED. IF
SWALLOWED, DRINK TWO GLASSES OF WATER
AND INDUCE VOMITING. IF VAPORS ARE INHALED,
MOVE TO AN AREA FOR FRESH AIR. SEEK MEDI-
CAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT STORE IN
OPEN OR UNMARKED CONTAINERS. WASH SKIN
AND CLOTHING THOROUGHLY AFTER COMING IN
CONTACT WITH ETHYLENE GLYCOL. KEEP OUT
OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
WARNING: DISPOSE OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL
BASED COOLANT PROPERLY. CONTACT YOURDEALER OR A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY FOR
THE LOCATION OF AN APPROVED ETHYLENE GLY-
COL COLLECTION AND/OR RECYCLING CENTER IN
YOUR AREA.
WARNING - A/C PLUMBING
WARNING:: THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CON-
TAINS REFRIGERANT UNDER HIGH PRESSURE.
SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY MAY RESULT FROM
IMPROPER SERVICE PROCEDURES. REPAIRS
SHOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: AVOID BREATHING THE REFRIGERANT
AND REFRIGERANT OIL VAPOR OR MIST. EXPO-
SURE MAY IRRITATE THE EYES, NOSE, AND/OR
THROAT. WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN SERVIC-
ING THE AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM. SERIOUS EYE INJURY CAN RESULT FROM
DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE REFRIGERANT. IF
EYE CONTACT OCCURS, SEEK MEDICAL ATTEN-
TION IMMEDIATELY.
WARNING: DO NOT EXPOSE THE REFRIGERANT
TO OPEN FLAME. POISONOUS GAS IS CREATED
WHEN REFRIGERANT IS BURNED. AN ELEC-
TRONIC LEAK DETECTOR IS RECOMMENDED.
WARNING: IF ACCIDENTAL SYSTEM DISCHARGE
OCCURS, VENTILATE THE WORK AREA BEFORE
RESUMING SERVICE. LARGE AMOUNTS OF
REFRIGERANT RELEASED IN A CLOSED WORK
AREA WILL DISPLACE THE OXYGEN AND CAUSE
SUFFOCATION.
WARNING: THE EVAPORATION RATE OF R-134a
REFRIGERANT AT AVERAGE TEMPERATURE AND
ALTITUDE IS EXTREMELY HIGH. AS A RESULT,
ANYTHING THAT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE
REFRIGERANT WILL FREEZE. ALWAYS PROTECT
THE SKIN OR DELICATE OBJECTS FROM DIRECT
CONTACT WITH THE REFRIGERANT.
WARNING: THE R-134a SERVICE EQUIPMENT OR
THE VEHICLE REFRIGERANT SYSTEM SHOULD
NOT BE PRESSURE TESTED OR LEAK TESTED
WITH COMPRESSED AIR. SOME MIXTURES OF AIR
AND R-134a HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE COMBUS-
TIBLE AT ELEVATED PRESSURES. THESE MIX-
TURES ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, AND MAY
RESULT IN FIRE OR EXPLOSION CAUSING INJURY
OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
24 - 60 PLUMBING - FRONTRS
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(14) Remove the two screws that secure the expan-
sion valve to the evaporator tube tapping plate.
(15) Disconnect the HVAC wire harness connector
for the evaporator temperature sensor from the sen-
sor on the top of the expansion valve.
(16) Remove the expansion valve from the evapo-
rator inlet and outlet tube fittings.
(17) Remove the seals from the evaporator inlet
and outlet tube fittings and discard.
(18) Install plugs in, or tape over the opened evap-
orator inlet and outlet tube fittings and both expan-
sion valve ports.
INSTALLATION
(1) Remove the tape or plugs from the evaporator
inlet and outlet tube fittings and both ports on the
back of the expansion valve.
(2) Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean
refrigerant oil and install them on the evaporator
inlet and outlet tube fittings.
(3) Position the expansion valve onto the evapora-
tor inlet and outlet tube fittings.
(4) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the expansion valve to the evaporator tube tapping
plate plate. Tighten the screws to 11 N´m (97 in.
lbs.).
(5) Reconnect the HVAC wire harness connector
for the evaporator temperature sensor to the sensor
connector receptacle on the top of the expansion
valve.
(6) 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.
(7) 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.
(8) Reconnect the liquid line and suction line fit-
tings to the expansion valve.
(9) 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.).
(10) Remove the tape or plugs from the liquid line
rear section fitting for the filter-drier and the filter-
drier outlet port.
(11) Lubricate a new rubber O-ring seal with clean
refrigerant oil and install it on the liquid line fitting.
(12) Reconnect the liquid line fitting to the filter-
drier outlet port on the top of the filter-drier.
(13) 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.).(14) 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.
(15) Reconnect the drain tube to the wiper module
drain on the right side of the engine compartment.
(16) Reinstall the air cleaner housing into the
right side of the engine compartment.
(17) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
(18) Evacuate the refrigerant system. (Refer to 24
- HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT/REFRIGERANT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE).
(19) 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 the
heater 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.
RSPLUMBING - FRONT24-73
EXPANSION VALVE (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

INSTALLATION
(1) Remove the tape or plugs from the evaporator
tube fittings and both expansion valve ports.
(2) Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean
refrigerant oil and install them on the evaporator
tube fittings.
(3) Position the expansion valve onto the evapora-
tor tubes.
(4) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the expansion valve to the evaporator tube sealing
plate. Tighten the screws to 11 N´m (97 in. lbs.).
(5) Reinstall the rear evaporator line extension
onto the expansion valve. (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - REAR/EVAPO-
RATOR - INSTALLATION - EVAPORATOR LINE
EXTENSION).
(6) Install the foam insulator wrap over the rear
expansion valve.
(7) Reinstall the rear heater-A/C unit housing into
the vehicle. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/DISTRIBUTION - REAR/REAR HEATER-
A/C HOUSING - INSTALLATION).
(8) Run the HVAC Cooldown Test to verify proper
operation.
HEATER CORE
DESCRIPTION
The rear heater core is located near the front of
the rear heater-A/C unit housing, behind the right
rear wheel house. 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 nipples. The heater core
can be serviced without removing the rear heater-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 rear heater-A/C unit housing is directed through
the heater core.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - HEATER CORE
FILLING
In its final installed position, the rear heater core
is positioned higher than the radiator fill cap. There-fore, when the cooling system is drained and refilled,
gravity will not refill the heater core with coolant to
the proper level. This may result in two problems:1.
Insufficient coolant level in the engine cooling sys-
tem, which may result in engine overheating.2.Air
entrapped within the rear heater core, which may
result in insufficient rear heater performance. There
are two methods that may be employed to prevent
these problems:1.Pre-filling of the rear heater core.
2.Thermal cycling of the engine cooling system. Fol-
lowing are descriptions of both prevention methods,
as well as a method to verify rear heater perfor-
mance.
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).
PRE-FILLING
If the rear heater core or the rear heater-A/C hous-
ing have been removed from the vehicle for service,
the rear heater core may be pre-filled with the proper
engine coolant mixture prior to reconnecting the
heater hoses to the heater core hose fittings.
(1) The heater core should be installed in the rear
heater-A/C unit housing, and the rear heater-A/C
unit housing should be installed in the vehicle.
(2) Take the proper precautions to protect the car-
peting below the rear heater core from spilled engine
coolant and have absorbent toweling readily avail-
able to mop up any spills.
(3) Insert the small end of an appropriate funnel
into the upper hose fitting of the heater core (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 Pre-Filling Heater Core - Typical
1 - REAR HEATER CORE
RSPLUMBING - REAR24 - 101
EXPANSION VALVE (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(4) Carefully pour the proper pre-mixed engine
coolant solution into the rear heater core through a
funnel until coolant begins to appear at the lower
hose fitting of the heater core.
(5) Use absorbent toweling to clean up any engine
coolant spills from the preceding operation.
(6) Reconnect the heater hoses to the rear heater
core. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING - REAR/HEATER HOSE - INSTAL-
LATION).
(7) Refill the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM REFILL).
THERMAL CYCLING
If the rear heater core was emptied and was not
pre-filled, it will be necessary to thermal cycle the
vehicle at least two times to ensure that the rear
heater core is properly filled.
(1) Refill the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM REFILL).
(2) Start the engine and allow it to operate until
the thermostat opens.
(3) Turn the engine off and allow it to cool.
(4) With the engine cold and not running, check
and top off the engine coolant level as necessary.
(Refer to 7 - COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE
- COOLANT LEVEL CHECK) and (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLANT
- ADDING).
(5) Start the engine and allow it to operate until
the thermostat opens again.
(6) Turn the engine off and allow it to cool down
again.
(7) With the engine cold and not running, check
and top off the engine coolant level as necessary.
(Refer to 7 - COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE
- COOLANT LEVEL CHECK) and (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLANT
- ADDING).
(8) Check the performance of the rear heater.
Refer to REAR HEATER PERFORMANCE CHECK .
REAR HEATER PERFORMANCE CHECK
Successful completion of the rear heater perfor-
mance check will confirm that the rear heater core is
properly filled with engine coolant. If the check is not
successful, either there is still air trapped in the rear
heater core or the rear heater plumbing is restricted.
This check should be performed with the vehicle in a
shop where the ambient temperature is about 21É C
(70É F).
(1) Start the engine and allow it to idle until it
warms up to normal operating temperature.(2) Adjust the heater-A/C controls so that the front
heater is turned Off, the rear heater is set for full
Heat, and the rear blower motor is at its highest
speed setting.
(3) Use an accurate test thermometer to measure
the temperature of the air being discharged from the
rear heater outlet located at the base of the right
C-pillar.
(4) Proper discharge air temperature readings
should be from 57É to 63É C (135É to 145É F).
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 - HEATER PLUMB-
ING).
(1) Drain the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM DRAIN).
(2) Remove the right quarter trim panel and right
D-pillar trim panel from the quarter inner panel.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/QUARTER TRIM
PANEL - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the rear heater distribution duct from
the right quarter inner panel. (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION -
REAR/REAR HEATER DISTRIBUTION DUCT -
REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the screw that secures the back of the
rear heater-A/C unit housing to the right D-pillar.
(5) Remove the screw that secures the front of the
rear heater-A/C unit housing to the right quarter
inner panel.
(6) Take the proper precautions to protect the car-
peting below the rear heater core from spilled engine
coolant and have absorbent toweling readily avail-
able to mop up any spills.
(7) Disconnect the heater hoses at the rear heater
core. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING - REAR/HEATER HOSE - REMOV-
AL).
(8) Install plugs in, or tape over the opened heater
core fittings and both heater hoses (Fig. 5).
(9) Use absorbent toweling to clean up any engine
coolant spills from the preceding operation.
(10) Release the four latch tabs that secure the
heater core in the rear heater-A/C unit housing.
(11) Carefully pull the heater core straight out of
the rear heater-A/C unit housing.
(12) Use absorbent toweling to clean up any
engine coolant spills from the preceding operation.
24 - 102 PLUMBING - REARRS
HEATER CORE (Continued)
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