Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Heating and Air Conditioning - Operation






OPERATION

Both the manual temperature control (MTC) heating-A/C system and the heater-only system are blend-air type systems. In a blend-air system, a blend-air door controls the amount of conditioned air that is allowed to flow through, or around the heater core. The temperature control determines the discharge air temperature by operating the blend-air door. This design allows almost immediate control of output air temperature.






NOTE: Typical blend-air type HVAC system shown.

The heating-A/C system pulls outside (ambient) air through the fresh air intake (4) located at the cowl panel at the base of the windshield and into the air inlet housing above the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) housing and when equipped with A/C, passes through the A/C evaporator (7). Air flow is then directed either through or around the heater core (2). This is done by adjusting the position of the blend-air door (3) with the temperature control located on the A/C-heater control in the instrument panel. Air flow is then directed out the floor outlet (8), instrument panel outlet (10) or the defroster outlet (1) in various combinations by adjusting the position of the mode-air doors (9 and 11) using the mode control located on the A/C-heater control. The temperature and mode control uses cables to operate the air doors.

The velocity of the air flow out of the outlets can be adjusted with the blower speed control located on the A/C-heater control.

NOTE: Recirculation mode will not operate when in the Floor, Mix or Defrost position and the recirculation indicator lamp will not illuminate.

The fresh air intake can be shut off by pressing the Recirculation button on the A/C-heater control when the control is set to Panel mode. This will operate the electrically actuated recirculation-air door (5), which closes off the fresh air intake. With the fresh air intake closed, the conditioned air within the vehicle is pulled back into the HVAC housing through the recirculation air intake (6) located within the passenger compartment.

When equipped with A/C, the A/C compressor can be engaged by pressing the A/C (snowflake) button on the A/C-heater control. It will automatically engage when the mode control is set in any Floor to Defrost position. This will remove heat and humidity from the air before it is directed through or around the heater core. The mode control on the A/C-heater control is used to direct the conditioned air to the selected system outlets.

The defroster outlet receives airflow from the HVAC housing through the molded plastic defroster duct, which is secured to the top of the instrument panel. The airflow from the defroster outlet is directed by fixed vanes in the defroster outlet grille and cannot be adjusted.

The side window demister outlets receive airflow from the HVAC housing through the defroster duct and molded plastic demister ducts. The airflow from the side window demister outlets is directed by fixed vanes in the demister outlet grilles and cannot be adjusted. The side window demister outlet grilles are integral to the instrument panel cover and direct air from the HVAC housing through the outlets on the top corners of the instrument panel. The demisters operate when the mode control is set in any Floor to Defrost position.

The panel outlets receive airflow from the HVAC housing through the center air distribution duct and molded plastic panel outlet ducts. The airflow direction from each of the panel outlets can be adjusted by rotating the outlet and/or moving the shutters which are integral to each outlet. Airflow can be turned on or off through each outlet by closing the shutters completely.

The front floor receives airflow from the HVAC housing through molded plastic front floor ducts which are secured to each side of the HVAC air distribution housing. The airflow direction from the floor outlets can not be adjusted.