Condenser HVAC: Description and Operation

Air Conditioning

A/C Condenser

The A/C condenser is an aluminum fin-and-tube design heat exchanger located in front of the vehicle radiator. It cools compressed refrigerant gas by allowing air to pass over fins and tubes to extract heat and by condensing gas to liquid refrigerant as it is cooled.

The receiver/drier is incorporated onto the LH side of the condenser core. The receiver/drier (desiccant) cartridge is a separate component and can be removed and installed separately from the condenser core.

On 3.5L vehicles only, the top portion of the condenser/power steering combo cooler is partitioned from the refrigerant system and is used for power steering fluid cooling.