Condenser HVAC: Description and Operation

A/C CONDENSER
The A/C condenser is integral to a cooling module which includes the radiator, the electric cooling fan, the fan shroud, air seals and an automatic transmission oil cooler. The cooling module is located in the air flow in the front of the engine compartment behind the radiator grille. The A/C condenser is a heat exchanger that allows the high-pressure refrigerant gas being discharged from the compressor to give up its heat to the air passing over the condenser fins. The A/C condenser may be removed from the cooling module for service without removing the cooling module from the vehicle.

When the refrigerant gas gives up its heat, it condenses. When the refrigerant leaves the condenser, it has become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The volume of air flowing over the condenser fins is critical to the proper cooling performance of the air conditioning system. Therefore, it is important that there are no objects placed in front of the radiator grille openings in the front of the vehicle or foreign material on the condenser fins that might obstruct air flow. Also, any
factory-installed air seals or shrouds must be properly reinstalled following radiator or condenser service.

The A/C condenser cannot be repaired or adjusted, and if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.