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Climate Control System Description




Climate Control System Description

The air conditioning (A/C) system removes heat from the passenger compartment by transferring heat from the ambient air to the evaporator. The A/C system refrigerant expands in the evaporator, and the evaporator becomes very cold and absorbs the heat from the ambient air. The blower fan pushes air across the evaporator where the heat is absorbed, and then it blows the cool air into the passenger compartment.





This vehicle uses HFC-134a (R-134a) refrigerant, which does not contain chlorofluorocarbons. Pay attention to the following service items:

- Use only the recommended polyalkylene glycol (PAG) refrigerant oil (DENSO ND-OIL 8) designed for the R-134a A/C compressor. Intermixing the recommended (PAG) refrigerant oil with any other refrigerant oil will result in A/C compressor failure.
- All A/C system parts (A/C compressor, discharge line, suction line, evaporator, A/C condenser, receiver/dryer, expansion valve, O-rings for joints) are designed for refrigerant R-134a.
- Use a halogen gas leak detector designed for refrigerant R-134a.
- Use only a recovery/recycling/charging station that is U.L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2788 to service the R-134a air conditioning systems.
- Always recover refrigerant R-134a with an approved recovery/recycling/charging station before disconnecting any A/C fitting.

A/C Pressure Sensor

The A/C pressure sensor converts A/C pressure into electrical signals to the PCM.









The response of the A/C pressure sensor is shown in the graph.

NOTE: When the refrigerant is below 196 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm2, 28 psi) or above 3,138 kPa (32 kgf/cm2, 455 psi), the PCM turns the A/C compressor clutch relay off to protect the A/C compressor. When the refrigerant pressure is above 1,470 kPa (15.0 kgf/cm2, 213 psi), the PCM switches the radiator and A/C condenser fans to high speed.






Continuously Variable Capacity Compressor

When the shaft rotates, the slope plate rotates by means of the lug plate which is attached to the shaft. The rotational movement of the slope plate is converted through the use of shoes to the reciprocal movement of the pistons, which in turn take in, compress, and discharge the refrigerant.

The inner pressure of the slope plate chamber is controlled between low to mid range, and the pressure determines the slope angle, determining the piston stroke as well and further controlling the discharge amount, resulting in the continuously variable capacity.

The amperage to the variable capacity control solenoid valve is controlled to obtain continuously variable low pressure, further achieving the continuous control of variable compressor capacity resulting in the continuous control of the cooling capacity.

On/Off of the compressor clutch is eliminated in the system, hence no shock of the clutch engaging/disengaging, and the idle speed becomes stable.






Climate Control Door Positions










Dual Air Mix Control System





Dual Cool Vent Control System





i-Dual Zone Climate Control System

This system automatically controls the temperature and the vent mode of the air direction to the driver and passenger's side depending on the angle of the sun and the direction of the vehicle. It calculates information such as date, time, longitude, and latitude from the navigation system, as well as the radiant strength of the sun from the sunlight sensor, to determine the appropriate mode position and temperature to be directed to each side.





In the event that the navigation system malfunctions, or when driving in areas where the navigation cannot determine the vehicle position (non-coverage areas, tunnels, etc.), the climate control system will operate the same as a vehicle without navigation system.

Climate Control Unit Inputs and Outputs