A/C System - Manual

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The climate control assembly performs mainly four functions, five if equipped with air conditioning (A/C):
^ Function control (air distribution)
^ RECIRC/Fresh air control
^ Temperature control
^ Blower motor control
^ A/C control (if so equipped)

COMPONENTS
These vehicles use a cycling clutch, fixed orifice tube refrigerant system. The air-conditioning system consists of:
^ A/C Compressor (1)
^ Suction Accumulator/Drier (2)
^ A/C Cyclic Switch (3)
^ Blower Motor (4)
^ A/C Evaporator Core (5)
^ A/C Evaporator Core Orifice (6)
^ A/C Condenser Core (7)
^ Climate Control Assembly
^ Refrigerant Lines

OPERATION
This system is designed to cycle the A/C compressor on and off to maintain desired cooling and prevent the A/C evaporator core from freezing. Passenger compartment comfort is maintained by the mix of cooled and heated air as controlled by the temperature control lever on the climate control assembly.

System operation is controlled by the A/C evaporator core orifice and the A/C cyclic switch.

Refrigerant Flow
The A/C compressor pulls in low-pressure vapor and pumps out high-pressure vapor to the A/C condenser core. The high-pressure vapor entering the A/C condenser core is cooled by outside air passing over the A/C condenser core cooling fins. This heat loss causes the high-pressure vapor to become high-pressure liquid.

High Pressure
The high-pressure liquid enters the condenser to evaporator tube where it is restricted by the A/C evaporator core orifice. This restriction in the refrigerant flow allows the A/C compressor discharge to build pressure in the A/C condenser core while the A/C compressor suction lowers the pressure in the A/C evaporator core.

Low Pressure
Low-pressure liquid from the A/C condenser core then enters the A/C evaporator core where hot, humid air passes over the A/C evaporator core coils. The A/C evaporator core coils remove the heat and humidity from the air being circulated in the passenger compartment. When the low-pressure liquid absorbs the heat in the A/C evaporator core, it again becomes a low-pressure gas. The low-pressure gas then enters the suction accumulator/drier.