Compressor HVAC: Service and Repair
Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor
Removal and Installation
NOTICE: If installing a new Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor due to an internal failure of the old unit, the following procedures must be carried out to remove contamination from the A/C system. Failure to remove contamination from the A/C system, if present, will result in poor A/C system performance and/or damage to the new A/C compressor and other components.
- If A/C flushing equipment is available, carry out the A/C system flushing procedure prior to installing a new A/C compressor. For additional information, refer to Climate Control System - General Information and Diagnostics Air Conditioning (A/C) System Flushing.
- If A/C flushing equipment is not available, carry out the refrigerant system filtering procedure following A/C compressor installation. For additional information, refer to Climate Control System - General Information and Diagnostics Refrigerant System Filtering Following Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor Installation.
- Install a new Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV), as directed by the A/C flushing or filtering procedure.
- Install a new receiver/drier as directed by the A/C flushing or filtering procedure.
NOTE: Installation of a new receiver/drier is not required when repairing the A/C system, except when there is physical evidence of contamination from a failed A/C compressor or damage to the receiver/drier. Damage to the receiver/drier includes leaks in the receiver/drier, physical damage to the receiver/drier shell or desiccant, or moisture contamination. Moisture contamination results only from a complete loss of refrigerant, and equalization of the refrigerant system pressure with atmospheric pressure for a period longer than one hour. If even a slight amount of positive refrigerant pressure is present, and physical evidence of contamination from an A/C compressor failure is not present in the system before repairs are carried out, a new receiver/drier should not be installed.
All vehicles
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Jacking and Lifting Service and Repair.
2. Recover the refrigerant. For additional information, refer to Climate Control System - General Information and Diagnostics Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging.
3. NOTE: The A/C compressor discharge line is held in place by a bracket attached to the lower rear A/C compressor stud-bolt. The A/C compressor discharge fitting cannot be easily disconnected until later in this procedure when the bracket is detached.
Remove the A/C compressor suction and discharge fitting nuts and disconnect the suction fitting.
- Discard the O-ring seal and gasket seal.
- To install, tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
Vehicles with manual transmission
4. Remove the engine cooling fan assembly. For additional information, refer to Engine Cooling Service and Repair.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
5. Remove the lower radiator air deflector. For additional information, refer to Front End Body Panels Service and Repair.
All vehicles
6. Remove the 2 drive belt shield bolts and remove the shield.
7. Release the tensioner and remove the drive belt from the A/C compressor pulley.
8. Remove the power steering line bracket nut at the transmission.
- To install, tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
9. Remove the compressor-to-condenser discharge line bracket nut from the lower rear A/C compressor stud-bolt and detach the discharge line and power steering line brackets.
- To install, tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
10. Disconnect the A/C compressor discharge fitting.
- Discard the O-ring seal and gasket seal.
11. Disconnect the clutch field coil electrical connector.
12. Remove the 2 A/C compressor bolts and the A/C compressor stud-bolt.
- To install, tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
13. Remove the A/C compressor.
14. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
- Install new gasket seals and O-ring seals.
- Lubricate the refrigerant system with the correct amount of clean PAG oil. For additional information, refer to Climate Control System - General Information and Diagnostics Specifications.
15. Evacuate, leak test and charge the refrigerant system. For additional information, refer to Climate Control System - General Information and Diagnostics Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging.