Accumulator HVAC: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

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

1. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery for the proper procedures.
2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
3. If the vehicle is so equipped, relocate the vehicle speed control servo as necessary to access the accumulator. Refer to Vehicle Speed Control System for the proper procedures.
4. Remove the low pressure clutch cycling switch from the accumulator. Refer to Low Pressure Clutch Cycling Switch for the proper procedures.

Fig.13 Accumulator Remove/Install:

5. Remove the two screws that secure the two refrigerant line fittings of the suction and liquid line assembly to the accumulator connector block inlet and outlet ports.
6. Disconnect the two refrigerant line fittings of the suction and liquid line assembly from the accumulator connector block inlet and outlet ports.
7. Remove the rubber O-ring seal from the refrigerant line fittings of the suction and liquid line assembly and discard.
8. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened accumulator connector block inlet and outlet ports and the refrigerant line fittings of the suction and liquid line assembly
9. Remove the screw that secures the accumulator mounting bracket to the right side rail.
10. Remove the accumulator from the engine compartment.

INSTALLATION

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

1. Position the accumulator into the engine compartment.
2. Install and tighten the screw that secures the accumulator mounting bracket to the right side rail. Tighten the screw to 11.3 Nm (100 in. lbs.).
3. Remove the tape or plugs from the accumulator connector block inlet and outlet ports and the refrigerant line fittings of the suction and liquid line assembly
4. Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them on the refrigerant line fittings of the suction and liquid line assembly 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 compressor in the vehicle.
5. Reconnect the refrigerant line fittings of the suction and liquid line assembly to the accumulator connector block inlet and outlet ports.
6. Install and tighten the two screws that secure the two refrigerant line fittings of the suction and liquid line assembly to the accumulator connector block inlet and outlet ports. Tighten the screws to 2.3 Nm (20 in. lbs.).
7. Reinstall the low pressure clutch cycling switch onto the accumulator.
8. If the vehicle is so equipped, reinstall the vehicle speed control servo. Refer to Vehicle Speed Control System for the proper procedures.
9. Reconnect the battery negative cable.
10. Evacuate the refrigerant system.

NOTE: If the accumulator is replaced, add 89 milliliters (3 fluid ounces) of refrigerant oil to the refrigerant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the compressor in the vehicle.

11. Charge the refrigerant system.