OPERATION
OPERATION - HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER
Outside fresh air enters the vehicle through the
cowl top opening at the base of the windshield, and
passes through a plenum chamber to the HVAC sys-
tem blower housing. Air flow velocity can then be
adjusted with the blower motor speed selector switch
on the a/c heater control panel. The air intake open-
ings must be kept free of snow, ice, leaves, and other
obstructions for the HVAC system to receive a suffi-
cient volume of outside air.
It is also important to keep the air intake openings
clear of debris because leaf particles and other debris
that is small enough to pass through the cowl ple-
num screen can accumulate within the HVAC hous-
ing. The closed, warm, damp and dark environment
created within the HVAC housing is ideal for the
growth of certain molds, mildews and other fungi.
Any accumulation of decaying plant matter provides
an additional food source for fungal spores, which
enter the housing with the fresh air. Excess debris,
as well as objectionable odors created by decaying
plant matter and growing fungi can be discharged
into the passenger compartment during HVAC sys-
tem operation.
Both the manual and AZC heater and air condi-
tioner are blend-air type systems. In a blend-air sys-
tem, a blend door controls the amount of
unconditioned air (or cooled air from the evaporator)
that is allowed to flow through, or around, the heater
core. A temperature control knob on the a/c heater
control panel determines the discharge air tempera-
ture by energizing the blend door actuator, which
operates the blend door. This allows an almost imme-
diate control of the output air temperature of the sys-
tem. The AZC system will have separate blend doors
and temperature controls for each front seat occu-
pant.
The mode control knob on the a/c heater control
panel is used to direct the conditioned air to the
selected system outlets. On manual temperature con-
trol systems, the mode control knob switches engine
vacuum to control the mode doors, which are oper-
ated by vacuum actuators. On AZC systems, the
mode control knob switches electrical current to con-
trol the mode doors, which are operated by electronic
actuators.
The outside air intake can be shut off on manual
temperature control systems by selecting the Recircu-
lation Mode with the mode control knob. The outside
air intake can be shut off on Automatic Zone Control
(AZC) type system by pushing the Recirculation
Mode button. This will operate the recirculation door
that closes off the outside fresh air intake and recir-
culates the air that is already inside the vehicle.The air conditioner for all models is designed for
the use of non-CFC, R-134a refrigerant. The air con-
ditioning system has an evaporator to cool and dehu-
midify the incoming air prior to blending it with the
heated air. This air conditioning system uses a ther-
mal expansion valve to meter refrigerant flow to the
evaporator coil. To maintain minimum evaporator
temperature and prevent evaporator freezing, the
system utilizes an evaporator thermister probe with
the appropriate operating logic located in the body
control module (BCM).
OPERATION - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM SERVICE
PORT
The high pressure service port is located on the liq-
uid line near the receiver/drier. The low pressure ser-
vice port is located on the suction line near the
evaporator at the rear of the engine compartment.
Each of the service ports has a threaded plastic
protective cap installed over it from the factory. After
servicing the refrigerant system, always reinstall
both of the service port caps.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - A/C
PERFORMANCE
The air conditioning system is designed to provide
the passenger compartment with low temperature
and low specific humidity air. The evaporator, located
in the HVAC housing on the dash panel below the
instrument panel, is cooled to temperatures near the
freezing point. As warm damp air passes through the
cooled evaporator, the air transfers its heat to the
refrigerant in the evaporator and the moisture in the
air condenses on the evaporator fins. During periods
of high heat and humidity, an air conditioning sys-
tem will be more effective in the Recirculation Mode.
With the system in the Recirculation Mode, only air
from the passenger compartment passes through the
evaporator. As the passenger compartment air dehu-
midifies, the air conditioning system performance
levels improve.
Humidity has an important bearing on the tempera-
ture of the air delivered to the interior of the vehicle. It
is important to understand the effect that humidity has
on the performance of the air conditioning system.
When humidity is high, the evaporator has to perform a
double duty. It must lower the air temperature, and it
must lower the temperature of the moisture in the air
that condenses on the evaporator fins. Condensing the
moisture in the air transfers heat energy into the evap-
orator fins and tubing. This reduces the amount of heat
the evaporator can absorb from the air. High humidity
greatly reduces the ability of the evaporator to lower
the temperature of the air.
24 - 2 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONINGWJ
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING (Continued)
CAUTION: Remove the fuel tank filler tube cap to
relieve fuel tank pressure. The cap must be
removed prior to disconnecting any fuel system
component or before draining the fuel tank.
LEAK DETECTION PUMP
DESCRIPTION
The evaporative emission system is designed to
prevent the escape of fuel vapors from the fuel sys-
tem (Fig. 11). Leaks in the system, even small ones,
can allow fuel vapors to escape into the atmosphere.
Government regulations require onboard testing to
make sure that the evaporative (EVAP) system is
functioning properly. The leak detection system tests
for EVAP system leaks and blockage. It also performs
self-diagnostics. During self-diagnostics, the Power-
train Control Module (PCM) first checks the Leak
Detection Pump (LDP) for electrical and mechanical
faults. If the first checks pass, the PCM then uses
the LDP to seal the vent valve and pump air into the
system to pressurize it. If a leak is present, the PCM
will continue pumping the LDP to replace the air
that leaks out. The PCM determines the size of the
leak based on how fast/long it must pump the LDP
as it tries to maintain pressure in the system.
EVAP LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Service Port: Used with special tools like the Miller
Evaporative Emissions Leak Detector (EELD) to test
for leaks in the system.
EVAP Purge Solenoid: The PCM uses the EVAP
purge solenoid to control purging of excess fuel
vapors stored in the EVAP canister. It remains closed
during leak testing to prevent loss of pressure.
EVAP Canister: The EVAP canister stores fuel
vapors from the fuel tank for purging.
EVAP Purge Orifice: Limits purge volume.
EVAP System Air Filter: Provides air to the LDP
for pressurizing the system. It filters out dirt while
allowing a vent to atmosphere for the EVAP system.
Fig. 11 TYPICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS
1 - Throttle Body
2 - Service Vacuum Supply Tee (SVST)
3 - LDP Solenoid
4 - EVAP System Air Filter
5 - LDP Vent Valve
6 - EVAP Purge Orifice
7 - EVAP Purge Solenoid
8 - Service Port
9 - To Fuel Tank
10 - EVAP Canister
11 - LDP
12 - Intake Air Plenum
25 - 30 EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONSWJ
FUEL FILLER CAP (Continued)
