Heater and Air Conditioner

The heating and air conditioning systems pulls outside (ambient) air through the cowl opening at the base of the windshield and into the plenum chamber above the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) housing, then through the evaporator coil. Air flow can be directed either through or around the heater core by adjusting the blend door with the temperature control knob on the A/C-heater control located on instrument panel. The air flow can then be directed out from the panel, floor and defrost outlets in various combinations using the mode control knob located on the A/C-heater control.

NOTE: It is important to keep the air intake opening clear of debris. Leaf particles and other debris that is small enough to pass through the cowl opening screen can accumulate within the HVAC housing. The closed, warm, damp and dark environment created within the housing is ideal for the growth of certain molds, mildews and other fungi. Any accumulation of decaying plant matter provides an additional food source for fungal spores, which enter the housing with the fresh intake-air. Excess debris, as well as objectionable odors created by decaying plant matter and growing fungi can be discharged into the passenger compartment during heater-A/C operation if the air intake opening is not kept clear of debris.

The heater and air conditioning system is a blend-air type system. In a blend-air system, a blend door controls the amount of conditioned air that is allowed to flow through, or around, the heater core. The temperature control knob determines the discharge air temperature by actuating an electric motor, which operates the blend door. This allows an almost immediate control of the output air temperature of the system.

On all models, the outside air intake can be shut off by pressing the
Recirculation button on the A/C-heater control. This will operate a electric actuated recirculation air door that closes off the outside fresh air intake and recirculates the air that is already inside the vehicle.

The air conditioning compressor can be engaged in any mode by pressing the snowflake, A/C on/off button. It can also be engaged by placing the mode control in the mix to defrost positions. This will remove heat and humidity from the air before it is directed through or around the heater core. The mode control knob on the A/C-heater control is used to also direct the conditioned air to the selected system outlets. The mode control switch uses an electric motor to control the mode doors.