Dodge Caliber. Manual - part 1432

9. Remove the upper radiator closure panel and care-

fully pull the top of the fascia forward to gain
access to the A/C discharge line (3) (refer to 23 -
BODY/EXTERIOR/CLOSURE

PANEL-UPPER

RADIATOR - REMOVAL).

10. Reach down through the opening between the

radiator and the front fascia and disconnect the
wire harness connector (1) from the A/C pressure
transducer (2).

11. Remove the nut (5) that secures the A/C dis-

charge line to the right side of the A/C condenser
(4).

12. Disconnect the A/C discharge line from the A/C

condenser and remove and discard the O-ring
seal and gasket.

13. Install plugs in, or tape over the discharge line fit-

ting and the condenser port.

14. If necessary, remove the A/C pressure transducer

from the A/C discharge line.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: Replacement of the refrigerant line O-ring seals and gaskets is required anytime a refrigerant line is
opened. Failure to replace the rubber O-ring seals and metal gaskets could result in a refrigerant system
leak.

1. If removed, install the A/C pressure transducer (2)

onto the A/C discharge line (3). Tighten the A/C
pressure transducer securely.

2. Position the A/C discharge line into the engine

compartment.

3. Remove the tape or plugs from the discharge line

fitting and the condenser port.

4. Lubricate a new rubber O-ring seal with clean

refrigerant oil and install it and a new gasket onto
the discharge line fitting. Use only the specified
O-ring as it is made of a special material for the
R-134a system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type
recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehi-
cle.

5. Reach down through the opening between the radi-

ator and the front fascia and connect the A/C dis-
charge line to the A/C condenser (4).

6. Install the nut (5) that secures the A/C discharge

line to the A/C condenser. Tighten the nut to 5 N·m (44 in. lbs.).

7. Connect the wire harness connector (1) to the A/C pressure transducer.

8. Install the upper radiator closure panel (refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/CLOSURE PANEL-UPPER RADIATOR -

INSTALLATION).

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24 - 145

9. Raise and support the vehicle.

10. Remove the tape or plugs from the discharge line

fitting and the compressor port.

11. Lubricate a new rubber O-ring seal with clean

12. Connect the A/C discharge line (2) to the A/C

compressor (3).

13. Install the nut (1) that secures the A/C discharge

line to the A/C compressor. Tighten the nut to 20
N·m (15 ft. lbs.).

14. Install the splash shield onto the right side frame

rail (refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/SPLASH
SHIELD-RIGHT SIDE RAIL - INSTALLATION).

15. Lower the vehicle.

16. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

CAUTION: Do NOT run the engine with a vacuum pump in operation or with a vacuum present within the
A/C system. Failure to follow this caution will result in serious A/C compressor damage.

17. Evacuate the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD

PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE).

18. Charge the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PRO-

CEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE).

24 - 146

PLUMBING

LINE-A/C LIQUID

DESCRIPTION

The A/C liquid line (1) is the refrigerant line that car-
ries refrigerant from the A/C condenser to the A/C
evaporator. The A/C liquid line contains the low side
service port (2) and the variable A/C orifice tube. The
A/C liquid line is only serviced as an assembly with
the upper A/C suction line (3).

CAUTION: Use only the O-ring seals specified for
the vehicle. Failure to use the correct O-ring seals
will cause the refrigerant system connections to
leak.

The A/C liquid/suction line assembly has no service-
able parts except for the metal gaskets (4) and rubber
O-ring seals (5) and the low side service port valve
core. The O-ring seals used on the connections are
made from a special type of rubber not affected by
R-134a refrigerant. The O-ring seals and gaskets must
be replaced whenever the A/C liquid/suction line
assembly is removed and installed.

The A/C liquid/suction line assembly cannot be repaired and, if leaking or damaged it must be replaced.

REMOVAL

WARNING: Review safety precautions and warnings in this group before performing this procedure (refer to
24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - WARNING) and (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING - CAUTION). Failure to follow the warnings and cautions could result in possible personal
injury or death.

NOTE: The A/C liquid line is only serviced as an assembly with the upper A/C suction line.

NOTE: LHD model shown in illustrations. RHD model similar.

NOTE:

Illustration

shown

with

front

fascia

removed for clarity.

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.

2. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system

(refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING

STANDARD

PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).

3. Raise and support the vehicle.

4. Remove the A/C accumulator (refer to 24 - HEAT-

ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/ACCUMU-
LATOR-A/C - REMOVAL).

5. Reach up through the opening in the bottom of the

front fascia located in the right front corner of the
vehicle and remove the nut (3) that secures the
A/C liquid line (1) to the A/C condenser (2).

6. Disconnect the A/C liquid line from the A/C con-

denser and remove and discard the O-ring seal
and gasket.

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24 - 147

7. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened refrigerant line fittings and the condenser and accumulator ports.

8. Lower the vehicle.

9. Remove the three nuts (1) that secure the heat

shield (3) to the studs (2) located on the dash
panel in the engine compartment and remove the
heat shield.

NOTE: It is only necessary to position the engine coolant reservoir and the power steering fluid reservoir
out of the way. Draining of the coolant and brake fluid is not required when servicing the washer bottle.

10. Remove the windshield washer reservoir (refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/WASHER RESER-

VOIR - REMOVAL).

11. Remove the nut (1) that secures the refrigerant line retaining bracket (2) to the right front strut tower (5).

24 - 148

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