Refrigerant system service equipment. Vacuum system

Refrigerant system service equipment

WARNING: EYE PROTECTION MUST BE WORN WHEN SERVICING AN AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT SYSTEM. TURN OFF (ROTATE CLOCKWISE) ALL VALVES ON THE EQUIPMENT BEING USED, BEFORE CONNECTING TO OR DISCONNECTING FROM THE REFRIGERANT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

When servicing the air conditioning system, a R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station that meets SAE Standard J2210 must be used.

Contact an automotive service equipment supplier for refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging equipment.

Refer to the operating instructions supplied by the equipment manufacturer for the proper care and use of this equipment.

A manifold gauge set may be needed with some recovery/recycling/charging equipment (Fig. 9). The service hoses on the gauge set being used should have manual (turn wheel), or automatic back-flow valves at the service port connector ends. This will prevent refrigerant from being released into the atmosphere.

MANIFOLD GAUGE SET CONNECTIONS

CAUTION: Do not use an R-12 manifold gauge set on an R-134a system. The refrigerants are not compatible and system damage will result.

LOW PRESSURE GAUGE HOSE

The low pressure hose (Blue with Black stripe) attaches to the suction service port. This port is located on the compressor manifold, directly over the suction port of the compressor.

HIGH PRESSURE GAUGE HOSE

The high pressure hose (Red with Black stripe) attaches to the discharge service port. This port is located on the liquid line between the condenser and the evaporator, near the front of the engine compartment.

RECOVERY/RECYCLING/EVACUATION/CHARGING HOSE

The center manifold hose (Yellow, or White, with Black stripe) is used to recover, evacuate, and charge the refrigerant system. When the low or high pressure valves on the manifold gauge set are opened, the refrigerant in the system will escape through this hose.

Fig. 9 Manifold Gauge Set - Typical

1 - HIGH PRESSURE GAUGE

2 - VALVE

3 - VACUUM/REFRIGERANT HOSE (YELLOW W/BLACK STRIPE)

4 - HIGH PRESSURE HOSE (RED W/BLACK STRIPE)

5 - LOW PRESSURE HOSE (BLUE W/BLACK STRIPE)

6 - VALVE

7 - LOW PRESSURE GAUGE

Vacuum system

Vacuum control is used to operate the mode doors in the heater-A/C housing. Testing of the heater-A/C mode control switch operation will determine if the vacuum, electrical, and mechanical controls are functioning.

However, it is possible that a vacuum control system that operates perfectly at engine idle (high engine vacuum) may not function properly at high engine speeds or loads (low engine vacuum). This can be caused by leaks in the vacuum system, or by a faulty or improperly installed vacuum check valve.

A vacuum system test will help to identify the source of poor vacuum system performance or vacuum system leaks. Before starting this test, stop the engine and make certain that the problem is not a disconnected vacuum supply tube at the engine vacuum source or at the vacuum reservoir.

Use an adjustable vacuum test set (Special Tool C-3707-B) and a suitable vacuum pump to test the heater-A/C vacuum control system. With a finger placed over the end of the vacuum test hose probe (Fig. 10), adjust the bleed valve on the test set gauge to obtain a vacuum of exactly 27 kPa (8 in. Hg.).

Release and block the end of the probe several times to verify that the vacuum reading returns to the exact 27 kPa (8 in. Hg.) setting. Otherwise, a false reading will be obtained during testing.

Fig. 10 Adjust Vacuum Test Bleed Valve

1 - VACUUM PUMP TOOL C-4289

2 - VACUUM TEST SET C-3707

3 - BLEED VALVE

4 - PROBE

VACUUM CHECK VALVE

(1) Remove the vacuum check valve that is to be tested. The valves are located in the vacuum supply tube (black) at the power brake booster on the left side of the engine compartment, and in the heater and air conditioner vacuum take-out of the vacuum supply tube in the engine compartment. The vacuum check valve must be removed in order to perform the following tests. See Vacuum Check Valve in the Removal and Installation section of this group for the procedures.

(2) Connect the test set vacuum supply hose to the heater-A/C control side of the valve. When connected to this side of the check valve, no vacuum should pass and the test set gauge should return to the 27 kPa (8 in. Hg.) setting. If OK, go to step Step 3. If not OK, replace the faulty valve.

(3) Connect the test set vacuum supply hose to the engine vacuum side of the valve. When connected to this side of the check valve, vacuum should flow through the valve without restriction. If not OK, replace the faulty valve.

HEATER-A/C CONTROLS

(1) Connect the test set vacuum probe to the heater- A/C vacuum supply (black) tube in the engine compartment. Position the test set gauge so that it can be viewed from the passenger compartment.

(2) Place the heater-A/C mode control switch knob in each mode position, one position at a time, and pause after each selection. The test set gauge should  return to the 27 kPa (8 in. Hg.) setting shortly after each selection is made. If not OK, a component or vacuum line in the vacuum circuit of the selected mode has a leak. See Locating Vacuum Leaks in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group.

CAUTION: Do not use lubricant on the switch ports or in the holes in the plug, as lubricant will ruin the vacuum valve in the switch. A drop of clean water in the connector plug holes will help the connector slide onto the switch ports.

LOCATING VACUUM LEAKS

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

(1) Disconnect the vacuum harness connector from the back of the heater-A/C mode control switch on the instrument panel.

(2) Connect the test set vacuum hose probe to each port in the vacuum harness connector, one port at a time, and pause after each connection (Fig. 11). The test set gauge should return to the 27 kPa (8 in. Hg.) setting shortly after each connection is made. If OK, replace the faulty heater-A/C control. If not OK, go to Step 3.

Fig. 11 Vacuum Circuit Test

(3) Determine the vacuum line color of the vacuum circuit that is leaking. To determine the vacuum line colors, see the Vacuum Circuits chart (Fig. 12).

(4) Disconnect and plug the vacuum line from the component (fitting, actuator, valve, switch, or reservoir) on the other end of the leaking circuit. Instrument panel disassembly or removal may be necessary to gain access to some components. See the Removal and Installation section of this group for more information.

(5) Connect the test set hose or probe to the open end of the leaking circuit. The test set gauge should return to the 27 kPa (8 in. Hg.) setting shortly after each connection is made. If OK, replace the faulty disconnected component. If not OK, go to Step 6.

(6) To locate a leak in a vacuum line, leave one end of the line plugged and connect the test set hose or probe to the other end of the line. Run your fingers slowly along the line while watching the test set gauge. The vacuum reading will fluctuate when your fingers contact the source of the leak. To repair the vacuum line, cut out the leaking section of the line.

Then, insert the loose ends of the line into a suitable length of 3 millimeter (0.125 inch) inside diameter rubber hose.

Fig. 12 Vacuum Circuits