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Dodge Viper SRT-10 (ZB). Manual - part 268

the refrigerant to boil and vaporize. The refrigerant
becomes a low-pressure gas before it leaves the A/C
evaporator.

The A/C evaporator cannot be repaired and, if

faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.

REMOVAL

(1) Remove HVAC housing (Refer to 24 - HEAT-

ING & AIR CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION/HVAC
HOUSING - REMOVAL).

(2) Disassemble the HVAC housing as necessary to

access the A/C evaporator (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR

CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION/HVAC

HOUSING - DISASSEMBLY).

(3) Carefully lift the A/C evaporator out of the

lower half of the HVAC housing (Fig. 11).

(4) If required, remove the insulator from around

the A/C evaporator. If the insulator is deformed or
damaged, it must be replaced.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: If the A/C evaporator is being replaced, add
60 milliliters (2 fluid ounces) of refrigerant oil to the
refrigerant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the

type recommended for the A/C compressor in the
vehicle.

(1) Install the A/C evaporator into the lower half of

the HVAC housing. Make sure that the evaporator
drain is clean and unrestricted and that the evapora-
tor insulator is properly installed.

(2) Assemble the HVAC housing (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION/
HVAC HOUSING - ASSEMBLY).

(3) Install the HVAC housing (Refer to 24 - HEAT-

ING & AIR CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION/HVAC
HOUSING - INSTALLATION).

A/C VARIABLE ORFICE TUBE

DESCRIPTION

A variable orifice valve (VOV) is factory installed

in the liquid line between the outlet of the A/C con-
denser and the inlet of the A/C evaporator (Fig. 12).
The VOV is located in the end of the liquid line that
is closest to the A/C condenser. The inlet end of the
VOV has a nylon mesh filter screen, which filters the
refrigerant and helps to reduce the potential for
blockage of the metering orifices by refrigerant sys-

Fig. 11 HVAC Housing - Disassembled

1 - PANEL MODE DOOR ACTUATOR
2 - FLOOR/DEFROST MODE DOOR ACTUATOR
3 - UPPER HVAC HOUSING
4 - RECIRCULATION-AIR DOOR
5 - RECIRCULATION DOOR ACTUATOR
6 - FOAM SEAL
7 - A/C EVAPORATOR
8 - HVAC WIRE HARNESS
9 - LOWER HVAC HOUSING

10 - BLOWER MOTOR AND WHEEL
11 - BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR BLOCK
12 - HEATER CORE
13 - BLEND-AIR DOOR
14 - BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR
15 - FOAM SEAL
16 - PANEL-AIR DOOR
17 - FLOOR/DEFROST-AIR DOOR

24 - 46

PLUMBING

A/C EVAPORATOR (Continued)

tem contaminants. The outlet end of the tube has a
nylon mesh diffuser screen. The O-rings on the plas-
tic body of the VOV seal the tube to the inside of the
liquid line and prevent refrigerant from bypassing
the metering orifices.

OPERATION

The variable orifice valve (VOV) is used to meter

the flow of liquid refrigerant into the A/C evaporator.
The high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the A/C
condenser expands into a low-pressure liquid as it
passes through the metering orifices and diffuser
screen of the VOV. There are two parallel flow paths
integral to the VOV, a fixed port and a variable port.
As the temperature of the refrigerant increases, the
bimetal coil moves the variable port to the closed
position. High temperature results in more restric-
tion, and lower temperature results in less restric-
tion. This design improves A/C cooling at high loads
and or city traffic.

The VOV is not serviceable. It cannot be repaired,

and if faulty or plugged, it must be replaced as part
of the liquid line.

ACCUMULATOR

DESCRIPTION

The accumulator (Fig. 13) is mounted in the engine

compartment between the A/C evaporator and the
A/C compressor. An integral mounting bracket is
used to secure the A/C accumulator to the right side
frame rail. The A/C low pressure switch is mounted
on a fitting located on the top of the A/C accumulator.

The A/C accumulator cannot be repaired and, if

faulty or damaged, it must be replaced. The rubber
O-rings used on accumulator connections and the A/C
low pressure switch are available for service replace-
ment.

OPERATION

Refrigerant enters the A/C accumulator mostly as a

low pressure vapor through the inlet tube. Any liq-
uid, oil-laden refrigerant falls to the bottom of the

Fig. 12 Variable Orifice Valve

1 - FIXED AND VARIABLE ORIFICES
2 - O-RINGS
3 - FIXED PORT
4 - BIMETAL COIL
5 - INLET FILTER SCREEN
6 - VARIABLE PORT
7 - DIFFUSER SCREEN

Fig. 13 Accumulator - Typical

1 - A/C LOW PRESSURE SWITCH
2 - PRESSURE SWITCH FITTING
3 - OUTLET TO COMPRESSOR
4 - ANTI-SIPHON HOLE
5 - DESICCANT BAG
6 - OIL RETURN ORIFICE FILTER
7 - VAPOR RETURN TUBE
8 - ACCUMULATOR DOME
9 - O-RING SEAL
10 - INLET FROM EVAPORATOR

PLUMBING

24 - 47

A/C VARIABLE ORFICE TUBE (Continued)

canister, which acts as a separator. A desiccant bag is
mounted inside the accumulator canister to absorb
any moisture which may have entered and become
trapped within the refrigerant system A filter is also
mounted inside the canister to trap any foreign mate-
rial that may have entered the refrigerant system
during assembly. The low pressure vapor exits the
A/C accumulator through the outlet tube.

The A/C accumulator cannot be repaired. If the A/C

accumulator is faulty or damaged, or if the refriger-
ant system has been contaminated or left open to the
atmosphere for an indeterminable period or if the
A/C compressor has failed, it must be replaced.

REMOVAL

WARNING: Refer to the applicable warnings and
cautions for this system before performing the fol-
lowing operation (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR
CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - WARNINGS) and (Refer
to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
CAUTIONS). Failure to follow the warnings and cau-
tions could result in possible personal injury or
death.

(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery

cable.

(2) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant

system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING

STANDARD

PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).

(3) Remove the right front wheel (Refer to 22 -

TIRES/WHEELS - REMOVAL).

(4) Remove the right inner fender splash shield

(Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/FRONT WHEEL-
HOUSE SPLASH SHIELD - REMOVAL).

(5) Disconnect the wire harness connector from the

A/C low pressure switch (Fig. 14).

(6) Remove the two bolts that secure the suction

lines to the accumulator.

(7) Disconnect the suction lines from the accumu-

lator and remove and discard the O-ring seals.

(8) Install plugs in, or tape over the opened suc-

tion line fittings and the accumulator ports.

(9) Remove the two nuts that secure the accumu-

lator to the inner front fender and remove the accu-
mulator.

(10) If required, remove the A/C low pressure

switch from the accumulator.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: If the A/C accumulator is being replaced, add
30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the
refrigerant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the
type recommended for the A/C compressor in the
vehicle.

(1) If removed, install the A/C low pressure switch

onto the accumulator using a new O-ring seal.
Tighten the switch securely.

(2) Position the accumulator onto the mounting

studs on the right inner front fender.

(3) Install the two nuts that secure the accumula-

tor to the right front inner fender. Tighten the nuts
to 4.5 N·m (40 in. lbs.).

(4) Unplug or remove the tape from the opened

suction line fittings and the accumulator ports.

(5) Lubricate two new rubber O-ring seals with

clean refrigerant oil and install them onto the suc-
tion line fittings.

(6) Connect the suction lines to the accumulator.
(7) Install the two bolts that secure the suction

lines to the accumulator. Tighten the bolts to 18 N·m
(13 ft. lbs.).

(8) Connect the wire harness connector to the A/C

low pressure switch.

(9) Install the right inner fender splash shield

(Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/FRONT WHEEL-
HOUSE SPLASH SHIELD - INSTALLATION).

(10) Install the right front wheel (Refer to 22 -

TIRES/WHEELS - INSTALLATION).

(11) Reconnect the negative battery cable.
(12) Evacuate the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -

Fig. 14 Accumulator

1 - NUT (2)
2 - ACCUMULATOR
3 - A/C LOW PRESSURE SWITCH
4 - SUCTION LINE
5 - BOLT
6 - SUCTION LINE FITTING

24 - 48

PLUMBING

ACCUMULATOR (Continued)

STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM EVACUATE).

(13) Charge the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM CHARGE).

HEATER CORE

DESCRIPTION

The heater core is mounted in the HVAC housing,

located behind the instrument panel. The heater core
is a heat exchanger made of rows of tubes and fins.
The heater core inlet and outlet tubes are integral to
the heater core and cannot be serviced separately.

The heater core can be serviced by removing the

HVAC housing from the vehicle.

OPERATION

Engine coolant is circulated through the heater

hoses and heater core at all times. As the coolant
flows through the heater core, heat removed from the
engine is transferred to the heater core fins and
tubes. Air directed through the heater core picks up
the heat from the heater core fins. The blend door
allows control of the heater output air temperature
by regulating the amount of air that is flowing
through the heater core within the HVAC housing.
The blower motor speed controls the volume of air
flowing through the HVAC housing.

The heater core cannot be repaired and, if faulty or

damaged, it must be replaced.

REMOVAL

WARNING: On vehicles equipped with airbags, dis-
able the airbag system before attempting any steer-
ing wheel, steering column, or instrument panel
component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and
isolate the negative battery (ground) cable, then
wait two minutes for the airbag system capacitor to
discharge before performing further diagnosis or
service. This is the only sure way to disable the air-

bag system. Failure to take the proper precautions
could result in accidental airbag deployment and
possible personal injury or death.

NOTE: The heater core can be removed for service
without disassembling the HVAC housing.

(1) Remove the HVAC housing from the vehicle

and place it on a bench (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR

CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION/HVAC

HOUSING - REMOVAL).

(2) Remove the blend door actuator from the

HVAC housing (Fig. 15) (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR

CONDITIONING/CONTROLS/BLEND

DOOR

ACTUATOR - REMOVAL).

(3) Remove the screw that secures the heater core

tube retaining bracket to the HVAC housing.

(4) Remove the heater core from the HVAC hous-

ing.

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the heater core into the HVAC hous-

ing.

(2) Install the heater core tube retaining bracket

and tighten the screw securely.

(3) Install the blend door actuator (Refer to 24 -

HEATING

AIR

CONDITIONING/CONTROLS/

BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR - INSTALLATION).

NOTE: If the heater core is being replaced, flush the
cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE - COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING/RE-
VERSE FLUSHING).

PLUMBING

24 - 49

ACCUMULATOR (Continued)

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