Accumulator HVAC: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

WARNING: REVIEW SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS BEFORE PERFORMING THIS PROCEDURE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

NOTE: The Accumulator tubes can be serviced separately from the accumulator.

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
2. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system.
3. If equipped, relocate the vehicle speed control servo as necessary to access the accumulator.

Accumulator And Accumulator Tubes - LHD Shown, RHD Similar:

4. Disconnect the wire harness connector from the A/C low pressure switch.
5. Remove the nuts that secure the A/C suction line and the A/C liquid line to the accumulator tube tapping block.
6. Disconnect the A/C suction line and the A/C liquid line from the accumulator tube tapping block and remove and discard the O-ring seals.
7. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened suction and liquid line fittings and the accumulator tapping block ports.
8. Remove the bolt that secures the accumulator bracket to the frame rail.
9. Remove the two bolts securing the accumulator tubes to the evaporator tube tapping block.
10. Disconnect the accumulator tubes from the evaporator tube tapping block and remove and discard the gasket.
11. Install a plug in, or tape over the opened accumulator tube fittings and the evaporator ports.
12. Remove the accumulator and evaporator tubes as an assembly from the engine compartment and place them on a workbench.
13. Remove the bolts that secure the accumulator tubes to the accumulator.
14. Disconnect the accumulator tubes from the accumulator and remove and discard the O-ring seals.
15. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened accumulator tube fittings and the accumulator ports.
16. Remove the A/C low pressure switch from the accumulator and remove and discard the O-ring seal.

INSTALLATION

NOTE:
- If the accumulator is being replaced, add 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the refrigerant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
- The Accumulator tubes can be serviced separately from the accumulator.

1. Install the A/C low pressure switch onto the accumulator using a new O-ring seal. Hand-tighten the switch securely.
2. Remove the tape or plugs from the opened accumulator tube fittings and the accumulator ports.
3. Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them onto the accumulator tube fittings. Use only the specified O-rings as they are made of a special material for the R-134a system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
4. Connect the accumulator tubes to the accumulator.
5. Install the two bolts that secure the accumulator tubes to the accumulator. Tighten the bolts to 11 N.m (97 in.lbs.).
6. Position the accumulator and accumulator tubes into the engine compartment as an assembly.
7. Remove the tape or plugs from the opened accumulator tube fittings and the evaporator ports.
8. Lubricate a new gasket with clean refrigerant oil and install it onto the evaporator tube tapping block. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
9. Connect the accumulator tubes to the evaporator tube tapping block.
10. Install the two bolts that secure the accumulator tubes to the evaporator tube tapping block. Tighten the bolts to 11 N.m (97 in.lbs.).
11. Install the bolt that secures the accumulator bracket to the frame rail. Tighten the bolt to 10 N.m (89 in.lbs.).
12. Remove the tape or plugs from the opened suction and liquid line fittings and the accumulator tube tapping block.
13. Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them on the suction and liquid line fittings. Use only the specified O-rings as they are made of a special material for the R-134a system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
14. Connect the A/C suction line and the A/C liquid line to the accumulator tube tapping block.
15. Install the nuts that secure the A/C suction line and the A/C liquid line to the accumulator tube tapping block. Tighten the nuts to 5 N.m (44 in.lbs.).
16. Connect the wire harness connector to the A/C low pressure switch.
17. If equipped, reinstall the vehicle speed control servo.
18. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
19. Evacuate the refrigerant system.
20. Charge the refrigerant system.