Condenser HVAC: Description and Operation

A/C Condenser - Description:

The A/C condenser is located in the front of the engine compartment behind the front fascia. The A/C condenser is a heat exchanger that allows the high-pressure refrigerant gas being discharged by the A/C compressor to give up its heat to the air passing over the condenser fins, which causes the refrigerant to cool and change to a liquid state.

The A/C condenser is equipped with tapping blocks or a quick connect fitting for refrigerant line connections (depending on engine application), tapping blocks for the integral automatic transmission cooler and mounting provisions for the power steering cooler, when equipped.

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

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