Compressor HVAC: Description and Operation

Fig. 1 Compressor:

A/C COMPRESSOR
The compressor used on this vehicle can be one of two models, depending upon the transmission in the vehicle. Vehicles with a manual transmission use the Nippondenso 10S15 compressor, while vehicles with an automatic transmission use the Nippondenso 10S17 unit. These compressors use an aluminum swash plate, teflon coated pistons and aluminum sleeveless cylinder walls. A high pressure cut out switch is located on the back cover of the compressor.

The compressor is secured to the lower front strut-to-engine bracket with four screws. The lower front strut-to-engine bracket is located on the lower, forward skirt of the engine block which is located in the right front corner of the engine compartment.

The compressor cannot be repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire compressor unit must be replaced. The compressor clutch, pulley, clutch coil and the high pressure cut out switch are available for service replacement.

The compressor is driven by the engine through an electric clutch, drive pulley and belt arrangement. The compressor is lubricated by refrigerant oil that is circulated throughout the refrigerant system with the refrigerant.

The compressor draws in low-pressure refrigerant vapor from the evaporator through its suction port. It then compresses the refrigerant into a high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant vapor. The compressor pumps high-pressure refrigerant vapor to the condenser through the compressor discharge port.