Condenser HVAC: Description and Operation

A/C Condenser:

The A/C condenser is located in the front of the engine compartment behind the front fascia. The A/C condenser is a heat exchanger that allows the high-pressure refrigerant gas being discharged by the A/C compressor to give up its heat to the air passing over the condenser fins, which causes the refrigerant to cool and change to a liquid state.

The A/C condenser is equipped with mounting provisions for the automatic transmission fluid cooler.

The A/C condenser may be removed for service without removing the radiator from the vehicle.

When air passes through the fins of the A/C condenser, the high-pressure refrigerant gas within the A/C condenser gives up its heat. The refrigerant then condenses as it leaves the A/C condenser and becomes a high-pressure liquid. The volume of air flowing over the condenser fins is critical to the proper cooling performance of the A/C system. Therefore, it is important that there are no objects placed front of the radiator grille openings at the front of the vehicle or foreign material on the condenser fins that might obstruct proper air flow. Also, any factory-installed air seals or shrouds must be properly reinstalled following radiator or A/C condenser service.

The A/C condenser cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.