Accumulator HVAC: Service and Repair

Air Conditioning Accumulator Replacement

Tools Required

J 39400-A Halogen Leak Detector

Removal Procedure

1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging).
2. Disconnect the electrical connector from the A/C pressure switch.
3. Remove the A/C low pressure switch.




4. Remove the nut (3) retaining the accumulator (4) to evaporator (1).
5. Remove the compressor suction hose assembly from the accumulator.
6. Remove and discard the O-ring seals.
7. Remove the accumulator clamp nut.
8. Remove the accumulator from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

Important: If replacing the accumulator, add the refrigerant oil to the accumulator. Refer to Refrigerant System Capacities (First Design Compressor) (Refrigerant System Capacities (First Design Compressor))Refrigerant System Capacities (Second Design Compressor) (Refrigerant System Capacities (Second Design Compressor)) for the capacity information.


1. Install the accumulator to the vehicle.
2. Install the accumulator into the accumulator clamp.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice.

3. Install the accumulator clamp nut.

Tighten the nut to 10 Nm (88 in. lbs.).

4. Install the A/C low pressure switch.

Tighten the A/C low pressure switch to 5 Nm (44 in. lbs.).




5. Install new O-ring seals. Refer to O-Ring Replacement (O-Ring Replacement).
6. Install the accumulator to the evaporator.
7. Install the accumulator retaining nut.

Tighten the nut to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).

8. Connect the compressor suction hose to the accumulator (4).
9. Install the suction hose nut.

Tighten the nut to 48 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).

10. Connect the electrical connector to the A/C low pressure switch.
11. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging).
12. Leak test the fitting of the component using the J 39400-A.