Accumulator HVAC: Service and Repair

WARNING: REVIEW THE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS BEFORE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system. See Refrigerant Recovery in the Service Procedures.
3. Remove the low pressure cycling clutch switch from the accumulator. See Low Pressure Cycling Clutch Switch in the Removal and Installation for the procedures.

Accumulator and Low Pressure Cycling Clutch Switch:

4. Loosen the screw that secures the accumulator retaining band to the support bracket on the dash panel.
5. Disconnect the suction line refrigerant line fitting from the accumulator outlet. See Refrigerant Line Coupler in the Removal and Installation for the procedures. Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant line fittings.
6. Disconnect the accumulator inlet refrigerant line fitting from the evaporator outlet. See Refrigerant Line Coupler in the Removal and Installation for the procedures. Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant line fittings.
7. Pull the accumulator out of the retaining band.
8. Remove the accumulator from the engine compartment.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the accumulator in the retaining band.
2. Remove the tape or plugs from the refrigerant line fittings on the accumulator inlet and the evaporator outlet. Connect the accumulator inlet refrigerant line coupler to the evaporator outlet. See Refrigerant Line Coupler in the Removal and Installation for the procedures.
3. Tighten the accumulator retaining band screw to 4.5 Nm (40 in. lbs.).
4. Remove the tape or plugs from the refrigerant line fittings on the suction line and the accumulator outlet. Connect the suction line refrigerant line coupler to the accumulator outlet. See Refrigerant Line Coupler in the Removal and Installation for the procedures.
5. Reinstall the low pressure cycling clutch switch on the accumulator. See Low Pressure Cycling Clutch Switch in the Removal and Installation for the procedures.
6. Connect the battery negative cable.
7. Evacuate the refrigerant system. See Refrigerant System Evacuate in the Service Procedures.
8. Charge the refrigerant system. See Refrigerant System Charge in the Service Procedures.

NOTE: If the accumulator is replaced, add 60 ml (2 fl. oz.) of refrigerant oil to the refrigerant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the compressor in the vehicle.